La Jacobine — Restaurant in Paris

To make a reservation for this restaurant it is best to call between 10am-12pm or 6pm-7pm, or go in person. It is usually fully booked, and probably best to make a reservation 1 day early too. The service here is great! Super friendly staff, and even the chefs are friendly.

This restaurant was fantastic. We were a group of 4. Two of us ordered the Lamb which was incredibly tasty. The amount of meat was more than enough for one and tender. The sauce was on point and full of flavor. The amount of effort going into this dish is apparent.

The other dish was the other option of duck, which was also amazing.

I ordered the duck breast with the lovely light brown sauce. The duck was soft and delicious. The entire dish was the star of the night for us, and we still talk about it. Packed full of flavor, this dish was probably the best I had during my trip in Europe. If you go here please try it.

I wish we tried the onion soup, since it's their specialty.

The other thing they're known for is the duck, which is why I ordered it. Totally worth it.

As per the desserts, all are homemade daily, if they run out... well tough luck! The raspberry dessert was like a large, not too sweet but really delicious macaron. Loved it, and how it tasted like a fresh raspberry. The other dish was a large puffy pastry filled with cream and topped with chocolate and crunchy bits which I think were hazelnuts, but that was also really good.

I included a photo of the cake I wish I tried. It was a cheesecake with a pistachio cream bed, topped with raspberries and almonds. It looked fantastic and is probably their best seller. Try it next time you go!

Again, I want to make it clear that to make a reservation here, call before they get busy. They aren't a big restaurant, and they tend to their guests. So if you call during dinner time you probably won't get an answer. The best time to call is 10am-12pm to book a lunch reservation, and 6-7pm to book a time for dinner. I'm sure you can call at 5pm too. We walked by at 6pm and the earliest time for dinner we could book was 8:30pm.

At 8:30 some people were still trying to get a table without a reservation, but they couldn't get a seat until maybe 10:30. It's always packed here it seems. Definitely because of the food! I will come back here again next time I am in...

If you do not make a reservation at least two days in advance, you’ll never get in; lunch or dinner.

You can only call or make reservations in person

Antoine was our host, server, and comedian. He did not stop moving once we entered the restaurant. I would say there are seats for no more than 40 people.

We started with a 50cl (1/2 bottle) of red wine, and a French blonde beer. My appetizer was the Camembert drizzled with some red wine, served next to a salad. The Camembert looks like a crème brûlée and is very warm. The apple in the salad was a great pairing to the cheese, as were the tomatoes and greens.

The other appetizer was L’oignon soup…you don’t need the word “French” when you’re in France. It had a perfect amount of cheese, and the right amount of onions to make it smooth and tasty. You’ll want to lift your bowl to finish it all.

Antoine provided us with some bread and tap water (carafe d’eau) without us asking - something that is rare.

Our main courses were nothing short of amazing. My salad had a veggie quiche on top, with carrots, green beans, tomatoes, eggplant and moist and incredible pieces of chicken.

My wife’s chicken, boiled potatoes and zucchini was also amazing, and each bite was flavorful and the perfect temperature.

For dessert we had a macaronade (think a macaroon the size of a large graham cracker) filled with whipped cream and raspberries. It was a fresh and light s’more, if I’m trying to provide a visual comparison.

We also had the chocolate cake, which was made with cream cheese, milk chocolate and a bit of almonds for decorative purposes. It was one of the lightest cakes I’ve ever eaten.

We finished the meal off with a couple of cafe crèmes. Taking our time the meal was a lot 90 min, perfect for dinner.

Like many of our meals (look for my other reviews of Paris restaurants), the experience was excellent.

Do not be afraid of speaking French. If you can say hello (Bonjour) thank you (Merci) and au revoir (good bye) you can make it in France. I speak elementary French, and every place was happy to let me sound silly, but all spoke English and were easy to converse with.

La Jacobine is a hidden gem you must make time to visit. Located 4 min from the Odeon metro, it’s worth the walk...

A Memorable Dining Experience at La Jacobine

La Jacobine came highly recommended by an American couple based in Paris, and I’m so glad we decided to visit for lunch. Reservations are accepted by phone only, and we managed to secure the only available lunchtime slot. Dinner reservations, we were told, are fully booked until mid-December—a testament to the restaurant’s popularity.

The doors opened promptly at noon, and within 15 minutes, every seat was filled. Despite the bustling atmosphere, the service was impeccable. The staff’s pleasant demeanor and effortless hospitality created an atmosphere of remarkable ease and warmth.

The Food:

We began with the truffle ravioli, which could easily be a satisfying meal on its own. For mains, we enjoyed the duck confit and the lamb shank, both of which were cooked to perfection, rich in flavor, and deeply comforting. For dessert, we indulged in their decadent hot chocolate and a beautifully layered Napoleon. Every dish was as divine as the service, leaving us savoring each bite.

What Makes La Jacobine Special:

What stood out most was the staff’s genuine commitment to delighting their customers. Their “serve-to-delight” mentality seemed second nature, almost as if it were on autopilot. This unwavering dedication, combined with the comforting and flavorful food, made the experience truly exceptional.

La Jacobine leaves you with not just a meal, but a lasting, positive memory—a rare quality in even the most celebrated establishments.

Final Thoughts: La Jacobine is now firmly on our list of must-visit places in Paris. It offers the perfect combination of incredible food, impeccable service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. If you’re lucky enough to secure a reservation, you’re in for an...