Café du Trocadéro All Ages / Backpackers / Beer & Wine Only / Breakfast / Conversational / Dessert / Dinner / Drinks / Easygoing / European / Expensive / Good for Groups / Great View / Groups / Heat Lamps / Intimate / Jeans / Late Night Food / Locals / Lunch / Moderate / Outdoor Area / Patio / People Watching / Regulars / Smart Casual / Smoking Area / Tourists / Wine / Café / Brasserie

As one of most talked-about high-street restaurants in the 16eme arrondissement of Paris, Café du Trocadero certainly lives up to your expectations. If you would like to savor authentic French cuisine and wine amidst a lively atmosphere in one of the city’s plushest neighborhoods, this restaurant would definitely fit your bill. From steak tartare, foie gras and crème brûlée to smoked salmon and onion soup, the menu would spoil you for choices. An excellent selection of wines and cocktails and a tempting range of gourmet desserts would guarantee a fine-dine experience with family and friends. The food at Café du Trocadero is amazing but the spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower certainly takes the cake! Given its iconic location, the ambiance is quite touristy and quintessentially Parisian, with an extensive seating arrangement for smokers right outside the restaurant. Needless to say, it is almost always abuzz with eager diners, especially in the evenings and during weekends. If you find it difficult to get a table (or the best table overlooking the Eiffel Tower), simply ask the courteous staff and they will hold one for you as soon as it is available. The good news is that Café du Trocadero is open till late. So, if you’re looking for a cozy corner to enjoy a late night dessert or coffee with your beloved, with the stunning Eiffel in the backdrop, this restaurant is just perfect! Great food, great ambiance and great view –Café du Trocadero indeed guarantees a great time and money well spent!

My Take: Cafe du Trocadéro is one of my favorite cafes in all of Paris (which is saying a lot, since it seems like every street has a requirement of at least 5). I can spend hours at the cafe talking with friends over some wine and the breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower. My favorite part about the cafe is how it’s somehow managed to stay unpretentious and local in the midst of the hugest tourist attraction in Paris. The Scene: Cafe du Trocadéro probably has the best view of the Eiffel Tower from a cafe in all of Paris. However, although the location screams tourist, it somehow manages to keep an extremely local vibe. Parisian regulars frequent every week, and it can still be surprisingly rare to hear English speakers. The crowd ranges from seniors in high school to senior citizens, yet somehow everybody always seems extremely comfortable with each other and the vibe is always relaxed and happy. Some may recognize the cafe from the opening scene of Woody Allen’s Midnight In Paris, which justifies the extent to which this cafe epitomizes Paris spectacularly. Cocktails & Cuisine: The cafe offers a large menu of traditional French cuisine, open for lunch and dinner. Their Creme Brulée is simply to die for, and the Croque Monsieur is also a popular favorite. Besides the cuisine, the cafe stays true to typical French culture by offering a very extensive wine and cheese menu. Prices: Another perk to Café du Trocadéro is the moderate price range. With a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower, it’s almost a given that the cafe’s prices would be unreasonably high in an effort to cheat naive tourists. However, the prices are extremely reasonable; a lunch can start from 10 euros while a glass of Côtes du Rhone is only 5. Although many things on the menu are more expensive, the range of options and different price ranges is large. What to Wear: Although there is no dress code or fancy atmosphere, the restaurant is still very nice which should entail a smart casual outfit. You won’t be rejected for wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, but the majority of people wear jeans and a nice shirt. Insider Info/When to go: The Eiffel Tower sparkles every day starting at sunset and continuing once an hour (until about 1-2am), so if you want a prime and relaxed view of the sparkling tower, that would be a perfect time to go. However, anytime is really great- the vibe changes throughout the day from a morning coffee and newspaper atmosphere to a later “wine and dine” energy. Any time is perfect for stopping by for a quick drink!