Ah, Paris! A ray of sunshine, and the heliotropic crowd rushes to the terrace tables to fossilize in groups, under the amazed eyes of tourists. While it's always nice to play it spontaneous and sit at the first bar you see, referring to a list of truly stylish spots is a must. For a lunch or a drink in the sun, Do It In Paris' editorial team presents its terrace HQs to book as soon as possible!
In the Drink Chic category
If you dream of sitting on a glamorous terrace to enjoy a coffee in the sun, having a perfectly chilled glass of champagne served with a couture salad or a croque-madame, you must of course head to Les Deux Magots (6 place Saint-Germain des Prés, Paris 6th).
On the other side of the Seine, the terrace of Le Fumoir (6 rue de l'Amiral de Coligny, Paris 1st) is of course waiting for Parisians with its cocktails and crazy club sandwiches, just like Le Nemours (2 place Colette, Paris 1st), where it’s common to embrace your Parisian titi habits at the foot of the Comédie-Française, from a crème-croissant at dawn to aperitif time.
If you're looking for a quaint little square, head to Île de la Cité to sip a coke or a beer at Bar du Caveau on the divine Place Dauphine, a true Parisian treasure that instantly transports you to a Provençal atmosphere with its chic pétanque players.
On the divine Place des Ternes, indulge in a seafood platter at the lovely terrace of La Lorraine (2 place des Ternes, Paris 8th) and, across the Etoile, enjoy signature cocktails at Sir Winston (5 rue de Presbourg, Paris 16th).
And always: a club sandwich and a juice on Place Royale at Carette (25 place des Vosges, Paris 3rd), which remains the must-go for a chic tearoom! For those living in the 92 area: L'Île (Parc de l'Ile Saint-Germain, Issy-les-Moulineaux) and Polpo Plage, which is making its comeback. (47 quai Charles Pasqua, Levallois-Perret).
© Les Deux Magots - Le Fumoir - Le Nemours.
In the Chic Dining Category
If I had to name just one, it would be LouLou (107 rue de Rivoli, Paris 1st), the terrace at the Musée des Arts Déco overlooking the gardens of the Carrousel, orchestrated by Gilles and his sister Claire Malafosse. The ideal address for those wanting to immerse themselves in a glam setting, a “see and be seen” vibe.
Want a trip to Long Island? This is masterfully delivered by Ralph’s (173 boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris 6th), which welcomes the high society of the Left Bank to its elegant patio nestled in the heart of a private mansion on boulevard Saint-Germain, with a luxury burger and a lobster salad.
Just a few steps away, you'll also encounter the foodie crowd craving sushi on the divine little terrace of Blueberry, a maki bar on rue du Sabot in the 6th, next to the Steam Bar, the other super cool establishment from the Vaconsin sisters, serving the best cult dishes from Hong Kong with baos, spring rolls, and gyozas.
Trendy to the core: the ultra-trendy patio at Hoxton (30-32 rue du Sentier, Paris 2nd) is eagerly awaiting its reopening to toast with the hype! Le Brach (1-7 rue Jean Richepin, Paris 16th), the 5-star hotel designed by Starck and the cool HQ of the 16th, is also ready to roll with its XXL terrace on the first floor for a hummus-filled snack... Not to mention the ultimate chic of Le Flandrin (4 Place Tattegrain, Paris 16th), all in white tablecloths, people, and sophistication.
And always: to meet very important people, the couture garden courtyard at Les Jardins du Faubourg hotel (9 rue d’Aguesseau, Paris 8th) or Le Récamier (4 rue Juliette Récamier, Paris 7th) for an exquisite soufflé in a dead-end street in Sèvres Bab’. La Palette (43 rue de Seine, Paris 6th), Le Charlot (38 rue de Bretagne, Paris 3rd) and all of Thierry Bourdoncle’s successful spots, not to mention the divine sunny terrace at Café Francœur in Montmartre.
© Le Flandrin, Quentin Larcher - Le Brach, Yann Audic - Le Vesper.
In the Frenchie Dining Category
A true obsession since its opening: you must head to Café Les Deux Gares in the 10th to try or re-try the phenomenally simple yet extraordinary cuisine of Jonathan Schweizer! Just thinking about it makes your mouth water...
A magical moment, La Rôtisserie d’Argent (17 quai de la Tournelle, Paris 5th) sets its red and white checkered tablecloths right on Pont de la Tournelle, in a perfect Parisian setting worthy of Ratatouille. An anti-snob bistro that has become as legendary as its mother restaurant, La Tour d’Argent, where you return for its spit-roasted meats, signature duck, and incomparable fries.
And if you’re a fan of fine poultry, the alternative near Montmartre is, of course, Antoine Westermann’s place on rue Lepic, where he serves the best chicken and fries, and other wonderful casseroles at Coq Rico (98 rue Lepic, Paris 18th).
Impossible to resist the temptation to relive the pavé-frites with mustard sauce around a hearty meal at Chez Georges (1 rue du Mail, Paris 2nd), especially on its magnificent terrace that spills out in every direction to Place des Petits Pères.
And always: Hôtel Amour and its beautiful patio (8 rue de Navarin, Paris 9th), or an extraordinary breakfast in the sun at author baker Benoît Castel (11 rue Sorbier, Paris 20th), not to mention a coffee at La Fontaine de Belleville (31 rue Juliette Dodu, Paris 10th).
© L’Hôtel Grand Amour, Pion Photographie - Benoît Castel, Social Snacks - La Rôtisserie de la Tour d'Argent.
In the chef's tables category
With Mimosa, Jean-François Piège offers one of the most beautiful terraces in Paris in the courtyard of the Hôtel de la Marine, a true preview of a seaside holiday with fries and lobster and incredibly addictive grilled fish (2 rue Royale, Paris 8th).
At Fernando de Tomaso's, the highly coveted chef of Dupin (11 rue Dupin, Paris 6th): a 30-seat terrace in a guinguette spirit with grass and solar lanterns will make foodies happy as they try Argentine and South American cuisine.
Another foodie gem to urgently test: Nosso (22 promenade Claude Lévi-Strauss, Paris 13th), opened by the rising Brazilian chef Alessandra Montagne, with an exceptional terrace to indulge in confit chicken, white cabbage, and polenta mousse. Bliss!
And always: Amandine Chaignot, the rising chef at Café de Luce (2 rue des Trois Frères, Paris 18th), whose terrace overlooks an adorable square in Montmartre, or the extraordinary terrace of Pavyllon, Yannick Alléno's Michelin-starred brasserie in the Champs-Élysées Gardens (8 avenue Dutuit, Paris 8th).
© Pavillon Ledoyen, Simon Detraz - Le Mimosa (@mimosarueroyale) - Café de Luce, Social Snacks.
In the Mediterranean category
A true ode to Provence, we happily find Janou (2 rue Roger Verlomme, Paris 3rd) and all the trendy crowd of the Marais on a peaceful square in ratatouille mode. A vacation vibe also blows over the Batignolles, where Hôtel Eldorado hides an extraordinary secret garden, and most of the dishes have a Mediterranean influence (18 rue des Dames, Paris 17th).
Missing Greek escapes? It's time to head to Filakia Petit Café d’Athènes (9 rue Mandar, Paris 2nd), serving the best gyros in Paris, lemonades, and Ouzo cocktails on its pedestrian and friends-friendly terrace that transports you on holiday. Another divine spot that will remind you of summer in Antiparos, in Montmartre mode: Etsi (23 rue Eugène Carrière, Paris 18th).
If you suddenly feel like sitting with the chicest Lebanese in Paris, we highly recommend Noura’s superb terrace (27 avenue Marceau, Paris 16th), whose décor has been recently transformed by queen Laura Gonzalez. As for Liza, the big sister of the chic Beirut dining room (14 rue de la Banque, Paris 2nd): book your spot now to enjoy her signature mezze.
Calling all pasta lovers: the trofie with basil pesto at Daroco 16 continue to charm (13 place Clément Ader, Paris 16th), while the extraordinary terrace of Mamma Primi (71 rue des Dames, Paris 17th) awaits with its legendary truffle pasta. More picturesque and refined, the cobbled courtyard at Marcello (8 rue Mabillon, Paris 6th) excites the hearts of Italian foodies. Ready, set, book!
© L’Hôtel Eldorado, Benoit Linero - Le Pomelo, Johanna Alam - Noura.
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