nicole

I keep hearing that we should make reservations at most restaurants in Paris, partly do to the crowd.<BR>But I was thinking that since we do not know the area, we really don't know where we would be at a certain day or time. I wish we could just go somewhere siteseeing and dine at the nearest descent restaurant we see, without reservations. <BR>Is this possible?

Christina

yes, I do it all the time. YOu should make reservations if there is some place in particular you want to go to, especially popular places. But you will always be able to find some place to eat.

Gladys

Hi Nicole,<BR>I find that the best thing to do is to plan your daily sightseeing, and reserve a restaurant in the area where you are going to be that day for lunch or dinner. It is easier to get into a restaurant for lunch without reservations. We usually like to have dinner near our hotel. Gladys

RnR

Yes, Nicole, if you've located several places you want to try, by all means make a reservation before leaving the States - ask your hotel to reserve for you and to confirm they have. Do this at least for the "must" places, if not all.

aj

nicole,<BR><BR>Another way to see and eat in Paris is just to enjoy yourself and stop and eat when you are hungry. There are many bistros and cafes that do not require reservations and if you eat early enough in the evening before the "rush hours" you can usually get a seat. At the end of the day I don't want to go across Paris to find a certain restaurant. Just stop and eat where you are at when you are hungry! Simple! Of course if you want 3-star you will need reservation.

x

better strategy: use the Cheap eats guide to find excellent restaurants IN YOUR neighborhood, not far from the hotel. Then aks your hotel to reserve. Do not believe it's only the 3 stars requiring reservations or in demand, and going early may not be an option. Paris has numerous restaurants, true, but doing some research before you go, selecting places, and making at least a few reservations will guarantee a more satisfying dining experience - and you may take this from someone who has been to Paris many,many times, and I know the scene - and this is what I do, and what others like me do. It's a proven stragety. Or you can look at menus in a window, decide on the spot, and take a chance. Either way, happy trip.

Rex

&lt;&lt;I wish we could just go somewhere siteseeing and dine at the nearest descent restaurant we see, without reservations. <BR><BR>Is this possible?&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>Sure it is. And during the "main" tourist season, a ton of restaurants in Paris will have outdoor seating - - you can not only see where there are tables readily available, you can see what people are eating.<BR><BR>Still, if "you" are a party of four or more, then any of several strategies for reserving a table are a good idea.<BR><BR>I also strongly recommend your planning to eat lunch at least one day at the main dining room of the Musee d'Orsay, as part of your visit there.<BR><BR>And if you are four or more, it would probably be a good idea to reserve for this.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

John H

Nicole,<BR><BR>I made all of my dinner reservations ahead of time for my last trip to Paris. As someone above noted, it made for a better dining experience than otherwise would have been the case. And, I simply would not have been able to get into my chosen restaurants had I not booked ahead. <BR><BR>Yes, you may need to alter your sightseeing to be in a certain area at a certain time. But, the benefit is well worth it. And, with four people, booking ahead could well save you time trying to find a place that has enough room for you and that you find appealing (especially for highly-recommended restaurants and/or in the busy May-October season). <BR><BR>Happy travels.<BR><BR>John H

toppers

up<BR>

Ira

Hi Nicole<BR>If I find a particularly nice place while sightseeing, I stop in and make a reservation for the evening.<BR><BR>You will find that if you make reservations for about 8:00 you will be seated before the rush starts and can sit and watch the locals wait for a table.

John C.

Hi Nicole,<BR>Just back from a week in Paris...we did not make any lunch or dinner reservations and our longest wait was 15 minutes...and that was Bofinger on a Friday night. The only places we could not get in were the 2 restaurants at the Eiffel Tower, which we expected. If you prefer to make reservations, by all means go ahead, but we certainly did not find them necessary.