Like the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre Museum is a must for most visitors to Paris. However, as with many of the heavily touristed main attractions around the world, the dining options right nearby can be rather bleak. Luckily a mere few blocks away you can have a delicious meal, whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a restaurant with a Michelin star. Here are some of the best places to eat near the Louvre.
Restaurants in the Louvre
If hunger strikes while you’re touring the museum, below are some better options than the few takeaway stands in the museum’s foyer and the food court in the Carrousel du Louvre Mall. However, if you can, I’d recommend saving yourself for a meal at one of the restaurants in the other sections.
Angelina – Louvre
You don’t have to leave the museum to enjoy the delights of this famed hot chocolate tea salon with its original located on rue de Rivoli. It now has a branch in the Richelieu wing of the Louvre, near Napoleon III Apartments, which serves refined lunch fair, decadent desserts, and their legendary chocolat chaud.
Cafe Marly
Although you have to “exit” the museum, this fashionable venue under the arcades of the Louvre in the Richelieu wing, offers unrivaled views of the Louvre’s Napoleon courtyard and IM Pei’s sleek glass pyramid. That said, these sensational views and chicness are matched by the equally sensational prices of its à la carte menu of modern brasserie-style dishes.
Most Affordable Restaurants near the Louvre
If it is a nice day, le Jardin des Tuileries is a good place to have a casual budget meal or snack. Extending to the west of the Louvre, the beautiful gardens have several simple sandwich stands and relaxed outdoor cafes with shady terraces. Le Bistrot Victoires, in the traditional section, is also budget-friendly option with good food.
Bo et Mie
If you’re looking for the best “street food” near the Louvre, there’s nothing better than a baguette sandwich or quiche from this creative boulangerie. Sitting opposite the front of the Louvre, at the corner of Rue de Rivoli and rue du Louvre, you can either grab one of their indoor tables or better yet, I suggest taking your lunch to enjoy in the Cour Carrée of the Louvre or down by the Seine.
Happy Caffè
This is a welcoming and laid-back café facing the Tuilleries on rue de Rivoli. It serves salads, soups, crepes, burgers and creative daily specials, all at very reasonable prices for the area.
Best For Families Restaurants near the Louvre
In addition to these suggestions, families might also like the casual options in the “affordable section” above.
Louise Café
This traditional cafe near the Palais Royal is only a few minutes’ walk le Musée de Louvre. With dishes ranging from pasta and croque monsieur sandwiches to salads and duck parmentier, it has something to please even the pickiest eaters in the family.
Best Traditional French Restaurants near the Louvre
Bistrot Victoires
A short stroll from the Louvre will lead you to this quintessentially classic Parisian bistro. Seated in its cozy dining room with a vintage decor, dig into very reasonably priced French specialities like escargots, duck confit, and roasted chicken. Its menu also has a surprising array of vegetarian-friendly options, including a homemade veggie burger which I tried (and loved!) the last time I ate there.
Brasserie du Louvre – Bocuse
Although I think the prices are a bit high, this is a good option for a top-quality traditional French meal at this “Paul Bocuse” labeled restaurant. Located a stone’s throw from the Louvre in the Hyatt group’s Hotel du Louvre and with views towards Place Colette, the restaurant serves the favorite classic French dishes of this legendary chef, revisited by Denis Bellon. Expect stylish versions of French onion soup, Lyon-style pike quenelles and “Grandma’s” waffles”, all made with fresh ingredients.
Best Vegetarian or Vegan Restaurants near the Louvre
Maisie Café
Tucked away on a quiet side street near Place de la Concorde, this is the perfect lunch spot for health-minded art lovers. One of the best casual vegan restaurants in Paris, I love their daily-changing bowls, but they also serve tasty salads, snacks and shakes which you can enjoy in their contemporary, eco-friendly dining room or take to the nearby Tuileries Garden.
Wild & The Moon – Saint-Honoré
Located a short jaunt from the museum and just north of the Tuileries Garden, you’ll find a branch of this popular casual vegan eatery in the Marché Saint Honoré. It’ll be hard to choose between their inventive salads, sandwiches, “superbowls” and daily specials.
Best Modern Restaurants near the Louvre
Lou Lou
Found in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, a separate museum in the northwest wing of the Louvre, this stylish venue was created by the team behind the trendy Monsieur Bleu with the added touch of star designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Its sleek interior draws in a fashionable clientele, however, on nice days you can enjoy their pricey French-Riviera dishes on their large terrace overlooking the Tuileries Gardens.
Café Kitsuné – Louvre
Situated a short block from the Louvre and near the Palais Royal is this hip café. Their menu includes brunch and lunch items with a contemporary twist. There are healthy options such as avocado toast with chimichurri dressing, shakshuka, burrata with sun-dried tomatoes, zaatar and pistachio.
Ellsworth
A brief stroll north of the Louvre will lead you to an exquisite modern meal at this little sister of acclaimed Verjus, one of Paris’ first neo-bistros run by innovative Americans Braden Perkins and Laura Adrian. Focused on small plates, at lunch they offer a restrained menu with the choice of a few starters, mains (including their famous buttermilk fried chicken) and desserts, all made with fabulously fresh, seasonal ingredients. Dinner offers an expanded menu.
Best Michelin Restaurants near the Louvre
La Dame de Pic
If you’re looking for sit-down restaurants for a gastronomic meal near the Louvre that won’t put a huge dent in your pocketbook, I can highly recommend this fantastic one-Michelin-starred restaurant of Anne-Sophie Pic. One of France’s top women chefs, your palate will be tantalized by the exceptional and inventive dishes on her tasting menus.
Le Meurice – Alain Ducasse
Ready to go all out on a supremely decadent meal after your next trip to the Louvre or to celebrate a special occasion? Then book a table (in advance!) at this three-Michelin-starred meal by star chef Alain Ducasse. Located in the sumptuous Le Meurice hotel, which faces the Tuileries, the glamorous dining room envisioned by Philippe Stark is the ideal setting in which to sample Ducasse’s renowned cuisine.
List of Restaurants and Addresses
Bo et Mei – 91 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Happy Caffè – 214, rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Café Louise – 8 rue Croix des Petits Champs, 75001 Paris
Bistrot Victoires – 6 Rue de la Vrillière, 75001 Paris
Maisie – 32 Rue du Mont Thabor, 75001 Paris
Wild & The Moon – Saint-Honoré – 19 Place du Marché Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris
Café Kitsuné Louvre – 2 Place André Malraux, 75001 Paris
Lou Lou – 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Ellsworth – 34 Rue de Richelieu, 75001 Paris
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