For the price, Madame Brasserie is extremely underwhelming. I cannot understate how disappointed my girlfriend and I were.
The food was utterly flavorless and disappointing. For a staggering €220 per person, we were expecting amazing, creative, and unique dishes.
To start, we each received a cold piece of bread. No butter, no olive oil, nothing. Just dry, cold, hard bread. The lady seated next to us asked for butter and received it in a little plastic container you might receive at a cheap diner accompanying a €10 breakfast comprised of eggs and toast.
At this point, we were already questioning the quality of the food but remained hopeful that we would find redemption in the remaining courses. We were wrong. I think not a single ounce of seasoning was used in our meals, as if even salt was an ingredient unknown to the chefs in the kitchen.
Bland, unimaginative, cold, and utterly shocking for the amount of money we paid.
For the starter course, I requested the “turnip tartlet with caramelized onion confit and pickles.” The first bite was a surprise because it was straight-up not good.
The smell: off-putting. The turnips: cold. The flavor profile: non-existent. Where were the caramelized onions? There were pickled onions accompanying the tartlet, not pickles as advertised by the menu. This was a welcome mistake, however, because pickled onions were much better than plain pickles would have been.
Sure, throw some micro-greens on it and call it a luxury appetizer. The only redeeming part of this starter was the tartlet crust.
My girlfriend received the asparagus. A disappointment only a tier below in magnitude than the tartlet. Forget about an interesting combination of seasonings or flavors. We had to ask for salt. No acidity, no saltiness, no spice - just water-logged asparagus with dollops of mayonnaise (??) and some sort of topping that resembled finely crumbled hard-boiled egg. The trout roe made a few of the bites semi-enjoyable, as they were the only source of salt.
The Maison Verot pie was pretty good. That’s it though, just pretty good. It was a baby slice of pie.
For the second dish, I asked for the sea bream. For the ~€100 I paid for the fish, calling it perfectly mediocre would be a huge compliment. The fish was under-seasoned and had a faintly unpleasant, undesirable fishy smell. The einkorn could be compared to the disappointment of wanting a fresh loaf of sourdough but instead receiving store-bought whole-wheat bread. Bland, flavorless.
The pea pesto felt like a half-attempt to make the dish semi-interesting. It felt like the only thing that elevated the dish from bad to almost average, yet it still somehow managed to disappoint as there was only a small amount of it on the plate - not nearly enough to enjoy with every bite.
The veal fillet medallion was okay. The veal was devoid of any seasoning and was a bit too chewy, but it was saved by the sesame cream. The cream at least had salt in it. Girlfriend says the confit cherry tomatoes were good but disappointingly best part of the dish.
Dessert is included with the base meal, but we were celebrating my birthday, so we opted in for the birthday package. For some reason, the tiny piece of chocolate cake and glass of champagne warranted a €25 surcharge. Why? At any other restaurant - even at establishments with much lower price points - birthday desserts usually come free.
We didn’t even receive the dessert that was advertised.
Apart from the food, another thing that left a bad taste in our mouths were the photographers. I was opening a birthday gift when a photographer interrupted this special moment to ask if we could pose for some photos. €25 for one photo. Photographer was (slightly) pushy when we declined to purchase any photos. This felt like a tourist trap lightly concealed by the “luxury” appeal of the restaurant, and it felt hardly any different than being haggled by one of the peddlers on the ground outside the confines of the Eiffel Tower.
Thank you...
Read moreStunning setting and brilliant waiter – but a real mix of highs and serious lows.
This is a really tough review to write. We were genuinely excited to visit – dining on the Eiffel Tower felt like a once-in-a-lifetime treat. We were welcomed by the host, who was excellent, and seated at a beautiful table for two with a view to die for. Absolutely wow – no complaints there.
Our waiter was Spanish, incredibly friendly and professional. He walked us through the set menu, helped us choose a lovely wine, and his service throughout was top notch – honestly the highlight of the night alongside the view.
Now for the difficult part. For starters, I had the pâté and my wife had the asparagus – both were fine, but nothing special. That said, the bread rolls and butter were genuinely incredible – easily the best part of the meal at that point.
Then came the mains: my wife had the gnocchi, I had the veal. Hers arrived cold, mine was just about warm. We sent them back – our waiter was very apologetic and handled it well. The second attempt was better. My dish came back warm and tasted okay, but nothing memorable. My wife’s arrived warm but with a hair in it – that was the end of her meal.
The duty manager came over, apologised, and offered us a dessert and a glass of champagne each. My wife made it clear she wouldn’t be paying for her food – understandably – and that was agreed.
Then came the worst part of the night. As we sat at our table, we saw two waiters chatting in the corridor. One of them looked directly at my wife and made a comment to his colleague. The other then looked straight at her and said “oh là là” in reaction. We challenged him immediately – it was inappropriate, made her feel incredibly uncomfortable, and had clearly been about her.
He claimed he’d been talking about the crowds outside, but it was obvious he was reacting to his colleague’s remark. We raised it with the main restaurant manager, who was polite and professional. He told us the waiter was gay and “couldn’t have meant it like that.” We’re not sure why that was brought up – the comment could have been about my wife’s appearance, ethnicity, or anything else. Regardless of intent, it was inappropriate, made her feel unsafe, and simply shouldn’t have happened.
The manager was visibly apologetic, said the staff are trained to prevent this sort of behaviour, and offered to move us to a new table along with a complimentary glass of wine and a beer.
We stayed for a short while, took in the view, and tried to salvage the evening – but in the end, we were still charged for: • My full meal (despite it being cold and returned), • The wine we had earlier, • An extra beer and wine we’d ordered.
Only my wife’s food was removed from the bill.
So to recap – we dealt with the waiter for cold food, the duty manager for a hair in the meal, and then the main manager for an inappropriate comment made towards my wife.
We’re not being ungrateful for the gestures offered – but in reflection, were they enough? Now the dust has settled and we’ve spoken to friends, it definitely wasn’t.
The view really was incredible, and our Spanish waiter was an absolute credit to the team. But the overall experience simply didn’t live up to the setting – and we left...
Read moreAn Elegant Culinary Experience in the Heart of the Eiffel Tower – Madame Brasserie Review
Location & Concept Located on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, Madame Brasserie is a one-of-a-kind dining experience that blends fine French cuisine with one of the most iconic views in the world. Dining here feels special from the moment you step off the elevator—this isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience. Perfect for romantic dinners, celebratory lunches, or even a once-in-a-lifetime treat while visiting Paris.
What They Offer Madame Brasserie offers a contemporary French menu with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. From elegant starters to refined mains and decadent desserts, everything is thoughtfully curated. The menu includes both à la carte and tasting menu options, and there are choices for vegetarian and dietary-specific meals as well. You’re not just eating here—you’re indulging in Parisian gastronomy.
Ambience, Cleanliness & Accessibility The ambience is absolutely stunning—modern yet warm, with elegant décor and panoramic views of the Paris skyline. You get a romantic atmosphere enhanced by the glowing Eiffel structure and soft lighting. The cleanliness is impeccable, as expected from such a premium location. As for accessibility, the venue is wheelchair-friendly, and the staff are attentive to guests with mobility needs, ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience.
Quality of Food & Service The quality of the food is top-notch. Every dish we tried was beautifully plated and full of complex flavors. The salmon starter was fresh and delicate, the duck breast was perfectly cooked, and the chocolate tart for dessert was the perfect finale. The service matched the setting—elegant, respectful, and attentive without being overbearing. The staff spoke fluent English and offered great suggestions when asked.
Pricing & Value for Money It’s no secret that dining at Madame Brasserie comes with a premium price tag, but considering the location, the culinary quality, and the overall experience, it feels worth it. You’re paying for both fine dining and a once-in-a-lifetime view. For a memorable Eiffel Tower experience, it delivers solid value for money.
Standout Features One of the most unique aspects is, of course, the view—where else can you enjoy exquisite French cuisine while looking out across the Seine, Parisian rooftops, and even spotting Montmartre in the distance? The ability to dine inside the Eiffel Tower truly elevates the experience.
Suggestions for Improvement The only suggestion would be to streamline the entry and elevator process a bit, especially for first-time visitors. It can be slightly confusing navigating through the tourist crowds to the brasserie check-in area. A few more signs or staff guiding the way would help.
Final Verdict Highly recommended for a once-in-a-lifetime Parisian dining experience. Whether you’re a tourist celebrating a special moment or simply want to indulge in Paris’s culinary elegance, Madame Brasserie offers it all—gourmet food, exceptional service, and unmatched views. A must-do when visiting the...
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