Hello My Dear Friends,
I just came back from a long awaited trip with my daughter to Paris to celebrate her graduation, and I had to share some of this trip for you just in case you decide to visit there anytime soon. Sampling global cuisine always inspires me to get more innovative in the kitchen. Like the people of the Levant, the Parisians let seasonal produce and fresh ingredients shine in their dishes. Now that I am back I can’t wait to start making magic in my kitchen to share with you all!
I understand that no matter where one travels, there is also the risk of the tourist trap, where popular sights can be accompanied by mediocre food. Two of the most talked-about dining experiences are Madame Brasserie, nestled inside the Eiffel Tower, and Bateaux Parisiens, offering a floating feast along the Seine River. But which offers better value, a more memorable view, and a meal that goes beyond just food? Let’s dig in.
Madame Brasserie is located on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, offering sweeping views over Parisian rooftops. Just being inside the tower adds a certain electric thrill — the feeling that you’re eating inside a global icon.
Bateaux Parisiens, on the other hand, delivers a constantly changing backdrop. As you glide past Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and under historic bridges, the City of Light unfolds in a cinematic journey around you. A Seine cruise is more than a meal — it’s a mobile sightseeing tour!
Lunch at Madame Brasserie is surprisingly more accessible, offering a prix fixe menu at a fraction of the dinner price — with fewer crowds and ample daylight to enjoy the view. Dinner, while elegant and atmospheric, comes at a premium, often due to the timing and demand. Lead by chef Thierry Marx, this restaurant offers modern French cuisine with seasonal ingredients. The presentation is polished, and the flavors are refined — but you’re paying more for the location than groundbreaking culinary innovation.
Bateaux Parisiens also offers better value at lunch. The daytime cruises are shorter and more casual, while dinner cruises extend the experience with multi-course menus, live music, and illuminated landmarks — making it more romantic, but also more expensive. I do think they deliver a surprisingly solid menu for a river cruise. The dishes are prepped with care and plated beautifully, and the waiters were friendly! The antithesis of the stereotype of rude French waiters.
💡 Pro Tip:
If you’re on a budget but still want the magic, book lunch at either spot. If you want full ambiance and spectacle — go for dinner, but expect to pay extra for it.
Ready to be an armchair tourist and sample the menu calorie free? Watch my new video below, and let me know in the comments which one would you choose and why?
