Where can I find a waterside terrace in Paris?

Restaurant Ventrus sets up in summer at the parc de la Villette, on the canal's edge, at the junction of the Ourcq and Saint-Denis canals, with a large terrace whose seating doubles for the season.

Which rooftop with a view should I choose?

The Terrass'' Rooftop Bar, on the 7th floor of the hotel of the same name in Montmartre, offers a breathtaking view over the sea of zinc rooftops, the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides and the Grand Palais.

Are there pleasant, affordable terraces?

Yes, Brasserie Bellanger in the 10th serves bistro cooking at affordable prices on a big sunny terrace, and ICONIK, a festive food hall in the 13th, gathers several street-food vendors around a bar and a terrace.

Where can I find a hidden, quiet terrace?

Café Mirette, tucked inside the Fondation Pernod Ricard behind Gare Saint-Lazare, has a large hidden terrace sheltered from traffic, and L'Ébouillanté opens its cobbled terrace on the lovely rue des Barres in the Marais.

Are these terraces open all summer?

Most run from May to September. The summer terrace of the Palais de la Porte Dorée is open Tuesday to Sunday until the end of September, and brasserie terraces like Bellanger or Grand Café d'Athènes run through the whole season.

The Best Terraces in Paris

Places in this guide

N°1Brasserie
Brasserie Bellanger
On rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, Brasserie Bellanger, by La Nouvelle Garde, ticks every box: well-sourced bistro cooking on short supply chains, knockout frites, more-than-affordable prices and a big sunny terrace. The ideal neighbourhood brasserie for an outdoor lunch without breaking the bank.
« A fine Parisian brasserie with good dishes at low prices, knockout frites, spot-on decor and a sunny terrace. »
— parisianavores.paris
17 mentions
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N°2Bistro
Les Pères Siffleurs
On rue Gerbert, in a 15th too often overlooked, Les Pères Siffleurs are a real neighbourhood gem: careful, well-sourced small-plate cooking, from Iberian pork to seared octopus, to savour on a quiet terrace. The bistro good surprise for an outdoor dinner away from the crowds.
« The 15th arrondissement is nevertheless full of lovely gems. Proof: Les Pères Siffleurs. »
— Sortir à Paris
14 mentions
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N°3Neo-bistro
Café Mirette
Behind Gare Saint-Lazare, inside the Fondation Pernod Ricard, Café Mirette hides a large terrace sheltered from traffic, paired with an art bookshop. Run by the Pantruchoise team, it serves an accessible seasonal menu in an arty, peaceful setting, far from the noise.
« A spot that's both bookshop and library, with a large hidden terrace sheltered from the traffic. »
— Sortir à Paris
6 mentionsRating rising
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N°4Rooftop bar
Terrass'' Rooftop Bar
Perched on the 7th floor of the Terrass'' Hôtel in Montmartre, this rooftop offers one of the finest views in Paris: a sea of zinc rooftops, the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, the Grand Palais and, just below, the Montmartre cemetery. The spot par excellence for a drink at sunset.
« Paris and its sea of zinc rooftops as far as the eye can see, the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, the Grand Palais: your eyes get their fill on the 7th floor. »
— visitparisregion.com
18 mentions
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N°5Greek restaurant
Grand Café d'Athènes
On rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, Grand Café d'Athènes takes you travelling without leaving Paris: mezze, grills and sun-filled dishes, to enjoy on a holiday-feeling terrace. A summer menu and a Mediterranean mood in the heart of one of the liveliest quarters of the 10th.
« Enjoy sun-filled dishes on a holiday-feeling terrace. »
— nouvellesgastronomiques.com
14 mentions
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N°6Restaurant
Restaurant Ventrus - Parc de La Villette
At the parc de la Villette, where the Ourcq and Saint-Denis canals meet, Ventrus is the gourmet terrace for lazing all summer. Canal-side, its large terrace sees its seating double for the season: careful cooking and feet by the water, the holiday spirit in the middle of the city.
« Where to laze this summer? At the parc de la Villette, an unexpected gourmet terrace we loved, right on the canal. »
— 20minutes.fr
19 mentions
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N°7Café
L'Ébouillanté
On rue des Barres, one of the prettiest cobbled lanes in the Marais, L'Ébouillanté spreads its terrace at the foot of the Saint-Gervais church. A former 1980s artist's studio, the house serves French cooking and international dishes in a stone setting, away from cars. A postcard.
« L'Ébouillanté occupies a stone building with a cobbled terrace, in the heart of the Marais. »
— Sortir à Paris
7 mentions
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N°8Food court
ICONIK
On avenue d'Italie, ICONIK is the festive food hall of the 13th: several street-food vendors gathered around a bar, a terrace and a line-up of events. Convivial, affordable and perfect for groups, it's the big terrace to graze across in the warm season.
« A festive food market and bar bringing together several street-food names we love, a bar, a terrace and events. »
— Sortir à Paris
18 mentions
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N°9Bar
Les Lionnes - Palais de la Porte Dorée
On the forecourt of the Palais de la Porte Dorée, the summer terrace run by Les Lionnes turns the Art Deco esplanade into an open-air guinguette, open Tuesday to Sunday until the end of September. Drinks, small plates and a programme of events: one of the great fixtures of the Parisian summer in the 12th.
« The summer terrace of the Palais de la Porte Dorée, open Tuesday to Sunday until the end of September, to enjoy the Paris summer. »
— tourisme-valdemarne.com
16 mentions
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