Since May 19, outdoor terrasses (sidewalk terraces and patios) have been permitted to open in Paris, and restaurants are welcoming exuberant diners. Between now and June 9, when restaurants can reopen indoors at reduced capacity, meals en plein air are our only option. But expanded outdoor dining will be a feature of Paris even after we are welcomed back into the salle (dining room). The Mayor of Paris is pushing to allow restaurants to keep their ephemeral terraces long after pandemic panic has waned.
Here's our selection of favorite outdoor terraces for the summer of 2021. We'll be expanding this guide as additional restaurants reopen and add to their outdoor seating, and wish you a very bon appétit!
YOUR OUTDOOR OPTIONS ON A MAP
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OLD FAVORITES WITH OUTDOOR SEATING
The covered terrace at Le Saint-Sébastien boasts 24 seats surrounded by pretty potted shrubs. Tables are nicely distanced from one another, and some offer a view through to the open kitchen. This is some of our favorite food in Paris, with an incredible wine list and very kind service. An easy walk from République and the Marais.
Photo provided by Le Saint-Sébastien
This terrace offers 20 spots, some of which are covered by the restaurant's awning. Reserve by phone at 01 43 72 24 01 for classic French bistro food and an incredible wine list.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
Thanks to its preexisting terraces, Breizh Café is a great option for outdoor dining in Paris, with terraces at all locations from Odeon to the Marais to the 11th, including a mini one at the Montorgueil location, the only one without a pre-lockdown terrace. The terraces on the rue Paul Bert and at Odéon are the most spacious, and they're all easily reservable online.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
PRETTIEST TERRACES IN PARIS
Grancoeur's gorgeous, 70-seat terrace in the heart of the Marais is located in a picturesque courtyard and decorated with herbs and wooden planters. Dubbed “unforgettable” by the Michelin guide, this stellar terrace is reservable by phone or online. Great for lunch or dinner after shopping or strolling in the Marais.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
This covered terrace boasts a beautiful red-and-white striped awning and heat lamps for cooler weather. The restaurant has also added two extended terraces (one by the fountain, the other under the archway) that are perfect on sunnier days. Very near the Eiffel Tower. Reserve by phone at 01 47 05 46 44.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
The terrace at Treize was already gorgeous and leafy (much as the name au jardin promises), but the team has also expanded into the parking spots in front of the restaurant for even more space. No reservations, but with a terrace this big, it seems worth trying your luck! Great for breakfast before a walk in the nearby Luxembourg gardens, or a cocktail or coffee after.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
This plush Parisian terrace is shielded by a pretty blue awning. A nice (downhill) stroll from Montmartre, if you're exploring that neighborhood.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
Girafe
Girafe's terrace is open from noon to 4pm and 6:30 to 8:30pm, weather-permitting. This is a difficult reservation to get, even weeks in advance. Online booking is offered, but usually sold out. Calling is recommended at 01 40 62 70 61. Snag a table for stunning views of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
Loulou
This beautiful terrace rich in history is surrounded by the historic buildings of the Louvre museum. Covered by sturdy umbrellas (no gust of wind will take these out!) and surrounded by meticulously trimmed hedges, this terrace is a superstar. Online reservations are possible, and in high demand. Reserve weeks in advance.
Photo: Meg Zimbeck
Capitaine has a beautiful terrace with potted plants and even an outdoor leather banquette if you're feeling fancy! About 20 nicely distanced spots available, including six that are fully covered from direct sun and spring showers. Reserve your spot online!
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
HOW TO (MAYBE) RESERVE OUTDOOR TABLES
Beginning June 9, diners will have the option to dine indoors or out, and to specify that preference upon booking. The restaurants we've contacted directly have said that “of course!” requests for outdoor tables will be honored, whether they're added to the comments section of an online reservation or communicated by telephone. But because many restaurants have a mix of covered and uncovered terrace tables, we expect that on rainy evenings only a portion of outdoor requests will be honored, with the remainder offered a table indoors.
At this point, we counsel thoughtfulness and flexibility: add your note requesting outdoor seating in French (“en terrasse, s'il vous plaît”) and don't even think about showing up late. Outdoor tables will be a hot commodity, and a restaurant may call the day of (or before) your reservation to confirm. Give the restaurant a working mobile number where they can contact you while in France. Missed calls and confirmations may result in them giving your table to someone else. Be prepared that things might not go according to plan this summer and have a few “no reservations” options in your back pocket just in case. Above all, be kind and enjoy – we've all waited a long time to be back à table!
ONLINE RESERVATIONS
Pompette has built a pretty wooden terrace that's partially covered and always convivial. Reserve online; this restaurant also offers a wait list option.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
Chez l'Ami Jean has built a charming terrace on the relatively quiet rue Malar (and has included hand sanitizer on every table!) About 30 seats including six under the awning in front of the restaurant. Reserve online.
Book online
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram
Le Bel Ordinaire Rive Gauche boasts 25 seats on a covered, heated terrace and 20 more outside, weather-permitting. A lunchtime prix fixe and an evening shared plate menu will help folks get in and out before curfew. Weekends the restaurant is open non-stop from lunchtime. And all staff here have been vaccinated – woo hoo! A great option near the Jardin des Plantes.
Photo: Emily Monaco
Passerini has opened its terrace, with six tables that are shielded from the elements and 26 spots that are uncovered and thus not reservable. Reserve online for one of the protected tables, or rock up on the day of to snag a table in the sun if the weather is nice! Before or after your meal, take a stroll on the nearby Promenade Plantée (Paris' version of the High Line).
Photo: Meg Zimbeck
Tomy & Co. has reopened with 18 covered seats outside. A great option if you want to be near the Eiffel Tower.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
The covered terrace at Chez Michel boasts about 30 spots. Reserve online.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
Boozy lunch, anyone? Le Villaret is opening for lunch only with a newly built wooden terrace and a few tables adjacent to the restaurant under the awning. Reserve online for classic French food and an impressible, affordably priced-wine list.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
Dilia has about 40 spots outside the restaurant in the sun, overlooking a serene street with a pretty church. They're serving lunch and dinner Thursday-Sunday and dinner only Monday.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
Hugo & Co. has expanded its sidewalk seating to welcome 25 guests, with some seats beneath the restaurant awning and others on a wooden terrace built on former parking places. A fun option near the Jardin des Plantes and the Arènes de Lutèce.
Photo: Emily Monaco
TELEPHONE RESERVATIONS
Le Cadoret has 15 spots to dine outside, some of which are protected from the elements. Reserve at 01 53 21 92 13.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
Mokonuts has opened six two-tops on a covered terrace outside the restaurant. Since seats are very limited, reservations are highly recommended at 09 80 81 82 85.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
Sauvage has set up about 20 seats outside, where you can enjoy a menu of dishes combining influences from the restaurant and wine bar. Reserve at 01 42 22 17 30.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
There are a few spots on what this restaurant dubs a “magnifique” wooden terrace surrounded by greenery. A few spots offer cover in case of rain, and these are the only ones that you can reserve – the other tables will only become available on a first-come, first-serve basis if the weather is nice enough to dine in the sun. Reserve at 01 42 58 87 82.
Photo: Emily Monaco
NO RESERVATIONS (first come, first served)
Since Les Enfants du Marché always exclusively served outdoors (under the historic Marché des Enfants Rouges covered market), not much has changed here. Diners sit on bar stools and are safe from any inclement weather. No reservations.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
Vivant
Vivant has opened just five tables outside, so snag yours online! The restaurant will be doing two services (one at 6pm and one at 7:30), so be aware that you only get your seat for 90 minutes.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
Freddy's & Fish – La Boissonnerie
Fish – La Boissonnerie (bistro) is open outside, and neighboring Freddy's (wine bar) will soon follow, with 50% capacity indoors on June 9. While Freddy's doesn't have its own terrace, it plans to borrow Fish's on Sunday afternoons and evenings beginning June 13. No reservations, but try your chances! Neighboring Semilla, the third restaurant in this mini group on the picturesque rue de Seine, doesn't plan to reopen until September.
Photo from Freddy's Instagram page
The pretty terrace of le Comptoir du Relais is open once more, with 50 spots under awnings or umbrellas. You can't reserve a seat here, but if you try your luck and come up empty-handed, the Odeon branch of Breizh Café is just across the way!
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
The joint terrace for Yard wine bar and restaurant is open Tuesday-Saturday from noon to 9pm. The menu will feature a format somewhat between the restaurant and wine bar offerings. No reservations here – tables are available on a first come, first served basis.
Photo from the restaurant's Instagram page
