3 Chic Terraces Worthy of Emily in Paris

© Le Flandrin par Quentin Larcher, Le Café du Mexique (@cafe.du.mexique) et La Réserve Paris, La Pagode de Cos par Gregoire Gardette.  

Because they offer a moment of absolute and timeless calm, because their tables are elegantly set, the service impeccable, or simply because they provide an Insta-worthy panorama fit for Emily in Paris, these three chic terraces have won us over! Here's a closer look at the editorial team's favorites to book for a top-notch sunny lunch.

More chic, you die! All in white tablecloths, people, and sophistication, this brasserie, located on a lovely square in the 16th arrondissement on the site of a former small belt railway station, celebrates the tradition of fine Parisian addresses. Its seafood counter and sunny terrace keep attracting discerning gourmets and elegant tourists: regulars have their reserved tables, stylish ladies dine solo, and charming couples coo under their designer sunglasses. At Le Flandrin, there is a delightfully bourgeois atmosphere in this quiet neighborhood where sports cars are neatly parked and time seems to stand still.

On the menu: our favorite lunch options? The roasted chicken with fries to share (€69) or the full tasting platter with oysters, shrimp, and whelks (€80). Don’t miss the soft-boiled eggs topped with a generous spoonful of Petrossian caviar (€30), the peach, burrata, lettuce, vervain, and fresh mint salad (€29), the langoustine ravioli with tarragon emulsion (€41), or the perfect sea bass fillet with parsley butter sauce, accompanied by seasonal vegetables (€46). Why not add a well-buttered mashed potato for good measure (€12)? For freshness, Philippe Faur provides the best ice cream in Paris (€6 per scoop), while wild strawberries come in a small silver tureen with mascarpone whipped cream that will have you licking (discreetly) your fingers (€28).

Le Flandrin, 4 Place Tattegrain, Paris 16th. Open Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 11:30 pm. Reservations online or at 01 45 04 34 69. © Le Flandrin by Quentin Larcher.

Are you familiar with the smallest palace in Paris? Just across from the Élysée Palace, La Réserve Paris boasts a beautiful courtyard terrace shielded from any hustle and bustle and shaded by parasols. Intimate and refined, La Pagode de Cos promises impeccable service and delightful, ideally light dishes in a romantic atmosphere, perfect for intimate lunches or special occasions. On the day of our visit, an elegantly chic family was celebrating a most graceful engagement!

On the menu: In addition to its triple-starred restaurant Le Gabriel, Jérôme Banctel presents a fresh menu for La Réserve Paris's terrace, inviting you on a culinary journey. Enjoy the hearty Victoria salad with crab, green beans, sucrine lettuce, and sesame sauce (€45), lobster tagliolini (75 €), or a delicious braised bar with rice, spring onions, and butter sauce (€52). For dessert, we immediately opt for the marvelous yuzu cream tart, with candied yuzu and orange blossom whipped cream (€18).

La Réserve Paris, 42 avenue Gabriel Paris 8th, 01 58 36 60 60. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
© La Réserve Paris and Julie Limont

While passing by Trocadéro, grab one of the few terrace tables that offer a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower at the end of the street. No, Café du Mexique doesn't serve tacos and enchiladas; its name is derived from the charming Place de Mexico where it proudly resides. Whether it's for a morning breakfast, a sunny lunch, or a sunset drink, the café provides the feeling of being part of a series where Paris lives up to its postcard-perfect promises. Conveniently, a red Vespa is parked nearby, adding the perfect touch to your Instagram story. It's simply delightful!

On the menu: the unmissable classics of a Parisian café are here! While we regret the frozen fries, we admit to thoroughly enjoying the truffled croque madame (€18) and the perfectly seasoned tartare salad (€21). Other favorites include: gratinated Royan ravioli (€20), veal escalope with mushroom cream (€25), and comté cheese omelet (€15). Nice touch: just like in the chicest cafés of Paris, a dessert tray is brought to you so you can choose between crème brûlée, crêpes, cheesecake, giant chocolate éclair, and lemon meringue tart. For us, it’s the crème brûlée (€9) with a latte! Perfect after a show at the theater or opera: you can order from the kitchen until midnight.

Café du Mexique, 3 place de Mexico, Paris 16th. Open daily from 7:00 AM. Continuous service from noon to midnight.

© Anoushka Raab and Gilles Trillard

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