Bar Gustave — Restaurant in Paris

A Parisian Dream with a Price Tag: Bar Gustave

Nestled in the shadow of the magnificent Eiffel Tower, this Café offers an undeniably enchanting Parisian experience. The location is, without a doubt, its most significant draw.

From the moment we stepped inside, the service was impeccable. Our waiter, Djemlia (if my memory serves me correctly), was attentive without being intrusive, offering helpful recommendations with a genuine smile. She navigated our rudimentary French with grace and ensured our water glasses were never empty. The entire staff seemed polished and professional, contributing to a truly pleasant atmosphere.

However, the culinary offerings, while undoubtedly crafted with care, came with a hefty price tag. The quality of the ingredients was evident, and the presentation was elegant.

Yet, there's no escaping the feeling that we were paying a premium for the view. While the food was good, it didn't quite reach the level of "exceptional" that the prices suggested. One could find equally delicious, if not more innovative, French cuisine elsewhere in Paris for a considerably lighter cost.

The Verdict: Bar Gustave is a place to indulge in the quintessential Parisian ambiance. The breathtaking location and the outstanding service make it a memorable experience, particularly for tourists seeking that iconic Eiffel Tower backdrop. However, be prepared for a bill that reflects the prime real estate. If you prioritize value for money above all else, you might find better culinary deals elsewhere. But if you're willing to splurge for the view and the excellent service, Le Tour Eiffel Bistro offers a slice of Parisian magic. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars (primarily docked for the high prices relative to the food quality).

Recommended for: Special occasions, romantic dinners with a view, tourists wanting the classic Parisian experience. Be prepared to spend: €€€€...

We stopped by for a drink and the waiter was a complete jerk. Even though he had several open tables - and prior to taking a table, I specifically told the manager (in fluent French) that I was only there for a drink the waiter was really upset I didn’t order food. I had a reso at a nearby restaurant and needed to kill some time prior to it which is why I didn’t have food. First the waiter brought us a menu with ketchup on it and was frustrated that I politely let him know that this one was dirty. Then for whatever reason he was mad that I My wife and I ordered a bottle of wine and nothing else. While we were there another family sat down and only wanted a drink too and he without much explanation told them to leave because they weren’t ordering food. Again he had 5 open tables.

Sensing he was angry with me I asked for the bill and after 15 mins and I didn’t have the bill while the guy was standing around I politely asked again he gave me a “sheet” eating grin and said bien sur as if I deserved to have him waste my time as he apparently thought I did to him. I’m a fluent French speaker having grown up speaking it at home and so this isn’t an example of a miss communication, he’s just a rude jerk.

Furthermore I have 16 years of restaurant experience having worked both front and back of the house and I know this guy is just a jerk.

Oh yah one more thing to top it all off. The bathrooms are disgusting and the door to the garbage room opens onto them. There is no toilet seat and consequently urine all over the floor.

Horrible experience. I wish I had photos of the jerk that served me and the dirty bathrooms, but I’ll keep this...

While visiting Paris for both business and pleasure, we stopped in this location. Asked for two glasses of juice, one that was pineapple and one orange. The waiter asked us if we wanted the orange juice freshly squeezed and at the sound of the proposal we gladly agreed. When the drinks arrived, we noticed that the orange juice was not freshly squeezed, it was decadent with the same texture and flavor that you get when buying it in a 5 liter jug.

Offended by this disservice, we called in the waiter to ask more about the orange juice. When asked and stated that the orange juice was not freshly squeezed, the waiter with a handful of poker face courage stated, and I quote:" We squeeze the oranges in the morning in large quantities and serve the juice during the day, the juice has this texture due to the fact that the oranges are out of season" -

To this I would like to add in this review my own statement: "Dearest waiter, oranges are fruits that are usually found during the winter time, we live in Italy, and we have a high comprehension of what freshly squeezed orange juice looks like and tastes like". We would like to invite the staff and the ownership to take a moment and step back from their money crazed policy where the method follows the concept: "They are tourists, we will only see them once" build a concept of conscience and become human.

Staff usually reflects ownership, and clearly this establishment is made out of courageous liars that have the nerve to lie to your face.

Dear waiter, ask yourself when you lie to people to their face, how would you feel if someone did that to you when you go to an...