One of our most popular articles on RealFoodTraveler.com is one written by Irvina Lew, our Europe Editor. It’s about the best restaurants in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower. Imagine being able to dine IN the Eiffel Tower! In this article, Irvina tells us what to expect from the experience of dining at Le Jules Verne restaurant. 

Save this article to help plan a visit to Le Jules Verne in Paris. Photos by Irvina Lew. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

Dining at Le Jules Verne Restaurant in the Eiffel Tower

In France, la Fête Nationale, their National Day, is also called le 14 juillet; in the USA, we know it as Bastille Day. The traditional event is marked by the annual 30-minute fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower organized by the City of Paris and a concert underneath at the Champ de Mars. (This year, in 2026, the event will take place on the 13th, with a broadcast on France Télévision and a Radio France channel.)

The iconic symbol of Paris offers the world more than alluring shimmering lights which glitter after dark for five minutes at the top of every hour. There are also restaurants on both the first and second levels, where Le Jules Verne occupies three contemporary glass-framed dining spaces.

I find something serendipitous about a lunch, there, with an unobstructed view of Parisian landmarks, even if it’s at the most touristic of sightseer destinations. So, this past March, 2026, when I spent a week in Paris with my first daughter, Alison, I experienced my third bucket-list pleasure at Le Jules Verne. I had dined there twice before, in 2004 and 2013, while Alain Ducasse—the world’s most-multi-Michelin-star chef—was at its helm. After listening to David Lebovitz’ podcast guest rave about Frédéric Anton, the new-since-2019 Jules Verne chef, I decided to return. I knew of the triple Michelin starred chef’s reputation at Pré Catelan, and that he had earned two Michelin stars at Le Jules Verne and decided that the splurge would be the perfect thank you lunch for my daughter, the designer of my book, Forays in France.

Hungry for more? Listen to our Real Food Traveler Podcast with Irvina about “Forays in France.”

There are clearly defined menus and choices of the preferred view (I preferred the river view) available online; advance reservations with full payment is required, and there’s a reasonable cancellation policy. There’s an à la carte menu at €180 and two tasting menus: a five-course tasting menu from €295 and a seven-course tasting menu from €330. I chose the least expensive, which offers two options each for starters, main course and dessert, although the multicourse extravaganza arrived with a bevy of additional dishes, sides and tastings. All menus excluded beverages and an extra tip beyond what the French already include (15% or so).

After viewing the Matisse exhibit at the Grand Palais, on our last full day, we taxied to the south leg of the tower on Avenue Gustave Eiffel in time for our 1pm reservation. A formally dressed greeter met us and confirmed our reservations; he accompanied us inside an elaborate double door to an entry foyer, built into and around the steel structure and introduced us to the host, who accompanied us to where the elevator operator ushered us inside the private glass-enclosed elevator exclusively reserved for a maximum of six Jules Verne-guests. This access, which avoids waiting-in-line, is a major enticement and unavailable at any of the other restaurants.

Me(left), daughter Allison and the official Greeter at Le Jules Verne.

Although I was a bit wobbly from the angled upward ride, by the time the coat check lady, madame in the lady’s room and the restaurant host, who led us to our table, hailed our arrival as if we were VIPs, I had my sea legs back. Maître d’hôtel M. Didier Gaufreteau welcomed us and when Master Sommelier Benjamin Roffet suggested Champagne Tarlant, we agreed.

The magical meal — from the warmest of Bonjour Mesdames to the take-home gift — is credited to Executive Chef Adrien Delcourt. It started as many do, with a coupe of Champagne, which gave me a few moments to savor the scenic vista: the Seine River, Les Invalides, Le Louvre, Notre Dame, all in plain view.

Hungry for more? Where to eat in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

Our Meal at Le Jules Verne

Lunch continued with the deft arrival of still-life food portraits accompanied by new, creative, unusual or extraordinary flavors and more frothy dishes than I expected. The bread was a small boule, a crusty round loaf cut in quarters and served with a swirl of salted butter.

Bread, wine and the view from within Le Jules Verne.

The first amuse-bouche, a tartlet with chestnut panna cotta and a Madeira wine glaze, was a pleasing, parmesan-studded starter. The second amuse-bouche was comprised of a tiny bowl filled with a verdant frothy foam, colored green from parsley and chervil and topped with a creamy round of foie gras on a quarter-size melba toast crouton.

We both chose crab starters. Two deep, white porcelain rounds arrived with chilled Granny Smith apple-flavored emulsions scented with tarragon and crowded with delicate crab meat. The small side dishes contained a hot, saffron-colored, apple cider bisque also filled with crab meat.

For the main dish, we opted for langoustines. Two roasted langoustines sat perched upon a puddle of briny langoustine-parmesan cream and topped with truffle; they were larger than giant shrimp, smaller than lobster tails and sweeter than either. At home, I would have picked them up and sucked out any bit of meat left in the shell, but the world of gastronomy deserves good manners and called for silverware. Next to our platters, the shallow bowls that looked as if they were filled with risotto were actually brimming with silky pearls of tapioca topped with a sprinkle of seaweed powder.

Langoustines with a parmesan cream, topped with truffle.

We didn’t order the supplemental cheese course, but the couple at the next table allowed me to take a photo of their three-tiered tower, which resembled steam baskets within which were individual brioches and a truffle-topped aged Saint-Nectaire. In fine-dining meals, cheese is typically included automatically after the main course and before palate cleansers, pre-desserts and desserts. Here, it’s optional and a €30 sur charge.

A dramatically-served cheese course at Le Jules Verne.

The first pre-dessert was a sorbet sphere, with dobs of prune purée, a palate cleanser between cheese and sweets. The second arrived on an elongated, raised oval plate decorated with two tiny mignardises per person, topped with creamy rounds. One tasted like an exotic fruit.

A sorbet sphere pre-dessert palate cleanser.

We decided to try both desserts. I ordered the vanilla option, flavored with coffee, which arrived accompanied by a round, shortbread-like biscuit. Alison chose the ginger-infused pineapple with a touch of coconut. They were each layered and so delicious and complex that I admit to having eaten mine and tasted Alison’s biscuits, foams, ice creams, merengues, mousses and whipped creams before even thinking about appropriately assessing, identifying or accurately describing all the components. Sometimes, it’s fun to just be in the moment and enjoy.

After coffee, we were given an envelope as a parting gift: inside, there was a bar of Jules Verne dark chocolate, which I saved for the USA.

Worth every euro!

To learn more about Le Jules Verne, visit the website.

Le Jules Verne is located on the 2nd Floor of Eiffel Tower
6 Avenue Gustave Eiffel
75007 Paris, France
tel 33 1 83 77 34 34

-Story and photos by Irvina Lew, RealFoodTraveler.com Europe Editor

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