restaurant reservations in Paris
 

Wondering if people make reservations before they leave home or wait until they are in Paris. How soon in advance should I make a reservation for restaurants? We will be there in the beginning of May for one week and I want to make a reservation for at least one evening and the rest we will probably wait until we are there and see what happens.

If you're planning on going to one of the Michelin starred restaurants, then you need to make reservations in advance; I did this once, at Le Grand Vefour. Otherwise, it is probably ok to wait until you get to Paris.

Whether to make a reservation has to do with what it takes to get a table at the restaurant of interest. Popular places book months in advance for dinners. How soon depends on the target restaurant. If there is a place I want to go, I always reserve a week or more ahead. I have more regrets having waited too long to make reservations.

Most you won't need to make an advance reservation or any reservation at all. If there's a little bistro we like, we may call in or stop in earlier in the day and get a reservation. My mom, on the other hand, does like to go to starred restaurants that are hugely popular, and I remember once she made a rervation 4 months in advance. But I think that's a bit over the top, but then again, fancy gourmet meals do it for her, but not for me. Unless someone else is paying. . . .

For starred restaurants definitely way in advance. For many other area restaurants you need reservations a number of days in advance, too...I just use the 1010 dialing..only costs about .70 for a call..If going to Le Florimond, for instance within a week of my arrival I know that I had better call. I make others in advance, too, via internet..l'Obe at the Crillon and probably email Catherine Constant for some items..maybe Au Bon Accueil, too....

Joan

I've never made a reservation, but don't go to top end restaurants. I've been to restaurants in the Michelin red guide, and just walked in. I go with a list, and as such have multiple choices. If there was one I really wanted to go to, I might reseve, or walk by the place and personally book.

Same as Michel_Paris for me. We leave the fancy places to the tourists. Like most Parisians, I never reserve and just go to another restaurant if the wait is too long. This is especially good with a group, because often everybody has a different restaurant in mind, so we just continue to the destination of the next most convincing person. :)

One night last fall I had made arrangements with some Parisien frinds for dinner..they would take care of whatever...came by my apartment for me and they had not made any reservations..we walked to Le Florimond..I knew we could not get in..and we did not...went almost across the street to can't think of the name of the place, but also could not get in..I said well, let's try Pascos's and see what happens..we lucked out..someone had cancelled. We had a most enjoyable dinner. They had never been to Pasco's.

Not sure if they learned that reservations are better, or not!!

They joined me at Au Gourmand another evening..I had made reservations, of course. They really enjoyed it and then they joined me at Violon'd'Ingres for 'my' Thanksgiving dinner..definitely with reservations!

I go to Les Cocottes and Cafe Constant without reservations, because they do not take reservations. I arrive early, as I know to do, and do not have a problem.

I would rather have reservations, to be sure of a table. If just going to a Brasserie, that is different...to each his own, I guess..

Joan