Le Train Bleu — Restaurant in Paris

If you look at my reviews, you’ll see I rarely leave a negative one. I understand the hospitality industry and usually give the benefit of the doubt—but when there are repeated issues throughout a visit, I feel it’s important to share my experience so others can make an informed choice.

I arrived early and was encouraged to have a drink at the bar, which unfortunately felt outdated and in need of renovation to match the beauty of the restaurant. Once seated, we were placed by a hot, sunny window until I asked to move, then later reassigned to a table near the busser station—a disappointing start for a special birthday lunch with a friend.

Despite being seated (3 times), no one attended to us for several minutes. I had to flag down a young man who eventually told us he was our server. At that point we finally ordered drinks, but I was disappointed to learn that the cocktail I had seen on the bar menu wasn’t available in the dining room. I opted for water and ordered the set menu, expecting this to be the best showcase of the restaurant. Unfortunately, the pâté was bland and the fish overcooked. My companion did enjoy her chicken, which was a bright spot.

For dessert, I ordered Crêpes Suzette to enjoy the tableside preparation, but the experience was marred by repeated interruptions—bus staff passed directly between the flambé cart and our table three separate times, carrying stacks of dirty dishes and glasses. It was distracting and diminished what should have been a memorable presentation.

I also couldn’t help noticing that other tables celebrating birthdays received more attention and enthusiasm. When our server eventually brought a candle, the lack of care left me feeling dismissed—perhaps due to age, nationality, or simply inattentive service. Whatever the reason, it was disheartening.

As a tourism professional, I have recommended this restaurant in the past, but I cannot in good conscience continue to do so unless management addresses these issues. The restaurant has history and potential, but the service and overall experience fell far short of...

We booked a reservation for six to celebrate my father-in-law’s 70th birthday. The restaurant’s ambiance is visually stunning and the building is beautiful. Unfortunately, there were several issues that detracted from our experience.

There was no air conditioning, and we had to deal with fruit flies throughout dinner. Initially, we were seated in the direct sun despite many other open tables, and we had to request to be moved to a more comfortable spot.

The menu appeared promising. We ordered two higher-end whiskies, two Cokes, and two Aperol spritzes. The drinks were served without ice, and when we requested ice, only small cubes were provided, requiring us to ask for more to cool our room temperature drinks.

For dinner, we had three lobster raviolis, the sea bass, and two kids’ meals (sea bass and lamb). The portion size of the lobster ravioli was very small, more akin to an appetizer than a main course. The food quality was average; the side salad was bland, the lobster was unremarkable, and the lamb lacked flavor. The bread rolls and sea bass were satisfactory, but portions were limited, and we had to request additional butter.

Service was slow and inattentive. Although the staff moved us to a more suitable table, they were often inconsistent. One server would ask us something, only for another to ask the same question. The waiter, despite aspiring to be a photographer, took poor photos, and plates were often placed in the wrong spots. Our kids’ meals were overpriced, and we had to remind the staff to bring the included drinks.

For my father-in-law’s birthday, they served a small piece of cake with a candle, which was underwhelming given the occasion. The final bill was overcharged, though it was corrected without fuss. Overall, we spent over €400 and left feeling disappointed and hungry.

This restaurant may be suitable for those seeking Instagram-worthy photos, but for an elevated dining experience, I would recommend exploring other options in Paris. I hope this review helps other families avoid a similar...

We, like many others, were captivated by the stunning photos online and, despite knowing it would be a pricey meal, decided to treat ourselves to a special evening in Paris. Upon arrival, we were instantly impressed by the beautiful interior and the warm welcome from the hostesses. Unfortunately, that’s where the glamour ended. We were seated in a cosy corner with a view of the outside, which seemed pleasant at first. However, the seat padding was so worn down that we were effectively sitting on hard wood rather than a comfortable cushion—something that should have been replaced long ago. One surprising disappointment was the lack of French beer on the menu, and to make matters worse, they had run out of Sancerre. I settled for a Belgian beer instead. For starters, I ordered the asparagus tartlet, which was underwhelming. It lacked flavour and felt hastily put together with a bland whipped cheese cream—certainly not worth €29. The pâté en croûte was served ice-cold, as if it had just come straight from the fridge, rather than at the ideal room temperature. For mains, I had the lamb, which was well-cooked, but the plate was cold, causing the meat and gravy to cool down far too quickly. The potato dauphinois was lukewarm at best and had to be sent back. My partner’s cordon bleu was also only warm, again served on a cold plate. Given our disappointment, we chose to skip dessert and any further drinks. What truly stood out—unfortunately for the wrong reasons—was the complete lack of table service. The staff were indifferent, offering less hospitality than one might expect from a fast-food chain. Besides the warm greeting by your hostess team we were not treated properly by the waiters, and when it came time to pay, there was no thank you or acknowledgment from the staff. At a restaurant of this calibre, such poor service and lack of attention to detail are unacceptable. We won’t be returning, and if there had been an option to give zero stars, we...