There’s nothing quite like walking along the forest paths of the Bois de Boulogne or the immaculate streets of the 16th arrondissement, which borders the park. The only thing that can make this uniquely Parisian experience any sweeter is the prospect of a delicious lunch or dinner at one of the neighborhood’s exceptional brasseries and bistros. We’ve selected eight of the best restaurants to help you answer the most important of any day out: Where shall we eat?
Located deep within the Bois de Boulogne, just by the Caverne de la Cascade, the Auberge du Bonheur offers traditional French cuisine in a historic building once used by Napoleon III. It’s loved for its carefully tended gardens where in the summer months you can take your meals on the gravel patio. In the winter, the rustic lodge is warmed by a roaring fire. Whatever time of the year you visit, it’s a great place to stop and recharge during a woodland walk.
Open every day in the summer from 12:00pm – 3:00pm and 7:30pm – 10:30pm, and in the winter from 12:00pm – 3:00pm.
This fine dining restaurant in the heart of the park is also a favorite wedding venue of Paris’ chicest brides and grooms. It’s easy to understand why. The surroundings, interior and exterior, at Le Pré Catelan are divine and the food is out of this world. The three Michelin stars are well-deserved.
The even more upmarket neighbor of the Auberge du Bonheur (they are actually in the same building), La Grande Cascade is a gourmet restaurant with a variety of dining environments. There’s a large terrace with an amazing tiled floor and a traditional dining room with chandeliers, Louis XIV chairs, a vaulted glass ceiling, and an incredible bay window from the Belle Époque.
The sand barge that now houses Le Galion was built in Amfreville in Normandy in 1910. The big red boat on the banks of the Seine has outside seating up on the deck and a large dining room below with gorgeous woodwork and river views.
Open Tuesday to Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner, and Sunday for brunch.
The menu at Lartigue is constantly evolving but you’re always guaranteed to get a fine selection of seafood dishes, the ingredients of which have been delivered that very day, as well as some outstanding cuts of French meat. The decoration is simple and sleek and, with just a few covers, the restaurant has a pleasantly intimate feel.
Open Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 2:00am. Lunch from 12:00pm – 2:30pm and dinner from 7:00pm – 10:30pm. Saturday, 6:00pm – 2:00am.
If you just want to keep it simple without sacrificing on quality then La Terrasse du Jardin is the way to go. Located within the park’s miniature zoo and just around the corner from the Fondation Louis Vuitton, this popular lunch spot prioritizes freshness and friendliness and has salads, pasta, a few fish dishes, and, of course, burgers on the menu.
Located just a stone’s throw from the Parc des Princes sports ground on the southeastern corner of the park, Marius is one of the best fish restaurants in all of Paris. The restaurant is decorated with a contemporary touch inside and out (the terrace is heated through the winter months) and the seafood, which is sourced exclusively from Brittany, is to die for.
Open Monday to Friday, 12:00pm – 2:30pm and from 7:30pm – 10:30pm, and Saturday, 7:30pm – 10:30pm.
A few streets to the east of the park, close to the Avenue Henri Martin RER station, Le Relais du Bois is a well-respected restaurant that has been a favorite of locals for over 50 years. The menu is traditional, prized for its meat and fish selection, and the delightfully festive décor suits it perfectly.
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00pm – 2:30pm and from 7:00pm – 10:30pm.
