Response to the reply from Jules Verne below.: We made a reservation three months in advance at Restaurant Jules Verne for August 23rd to celebrate my 30th birthday. Like many, we wanted to enjoy a meal at a 2-star Michelin restaurant while taking in the breathtaking views from the Eiffel Tower. After all, it is the unique view that makes this experience so special. There are several 2-star Michelin restaurants in Paris, but only one offers a panoramic view from the Eiffel Tower.

For this reason, we specifically requested a table by the window when we made our reservation, making it clear that this was a condition for our booking so we could fully enjoy the view. However, when we arrived last night, we were seated at a table that was not by the window. This was the beginning of a very disappointing experience.

We spoke with several staff members, including the manager, to inquire about the table we had reserved. We were told that the window tables are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. This was surprising to hear, especially since we had booked three months in advance. When I asked why we weren't informed that our request for a table by the window could not be fulfilled, they had no proper answer. Instead, they offered a flimsy excuse that they were hoping someone might cancel, allowing us to get a window table. This explanation was completely unsatisfactory and not what one would expect from a 2-star Michelin restaurant. We had every right to be informed in advance about the availability of our desired table.

We spent about 20 minutes discussing the situation with various staff members when a young man with dark blonde hair and blue eyes made a sarcastic remark, suggesting that if we just lifted our heads, we could still see the view from our table. This is absolutely not the way to speak to guests in a 2-star Michelin restaurant. Our mood was entirely ruined, and we no longer felt like staying. We wanted to cancel our reservation and leave.

To our astonishment, we were told that if we left, the €500 deposit we had made would not be refunded. This was truly unbelievable. Due to their lack of communication (not informing us that a window table was not guaranteed), my 30th birthday turned out to be a huge disappointment. Instead of offering an apology or acknowledging their poor customer service, we were simply told we could leave but would not get our money back.

In conclusion, Restaurant Jules Verne failed to live up to the expectations of a 2-star Michelin experience. The service was subpar, the staff was unprofessional, and the communication was extremely lacking. For a restaurant renowned for its location and reputation, this was a huge disappointment. I would certainly not recommend it to others, especially for a special occasion. Response to the reply from Jules Verne below. -> I’m disappointed by your response to our experience at Le Jules Verne on August 23rd, 2024. You attributed the lack of a window table to the timing of our reservation, but this doesn’t excuse the failure to inform us that our request couldn’t be honored. As a 2-star Michelin restaurant, clear communication is expected. If we had known, we might have reconsidered our reservation. Isn’t it your responsibility to notify guests when their requests can’t be met? Your suggestion that the experience should focus solely on the food, not the view, is puzzling. If the view isn’t important, why is the restaurant located in the Eiffel Tower? The view is part of the experience, and your remark diminishes that. Moving us to a window table for dessert was too late to salvage the evening. By then, it was dark, and the gesture felt superficial. Mentioning the complimentary cake doesn’t address the real issue: the evening was marred by poor communication and handling of our request. Your response, which deflects blame and fails to acknowledge your shortcomings, falls short of Michelin standards. I hope this feedback encourages you to improve.