Fine dining restaurants in Paris are a dime a dozen - that's no secret, since French cuisine is generally outstanding. With my review of Les Ombres in Paris, I want to make it easy for you to find an exceptional and convincing restaurant with a great menu!
Les Ombres Paris: Dress code and restaurant
The Les Ombres is located in the charming and beautiful 7th arrondissement of Paris. This already makes it clear that a view of the Eiffel Tower is guaranteed. But it is not only the idea of this that is convincing: the restaurant is located on the roof of the Musée du quai Branly.
The entrance area is overwhelming, as if you were walking through a park. The restaurant itself is fully glassed, which guarantees every table a view of the Eiffel Tower. In addition, it has an idyllic 360-degree rooftop terrace from which you can even see as far as the artistic Montmartre. During the day you enjoy the sun and in the evening the sparkle of the city – simply something special!
Good to know: Les Ombres Paris has a dress code: “smart casual”.
Erfahre hier, wie Le Petit Chef dein nächstes Dinner in eine außergewöhnliche Erfahrung verwandelt.
The reception at Les Ombres Paris: Menu and welcome
As soon as you step out of the elevator, you are warmly welcomed, shown to your table, and immediately handed the menu as well as the drinks menu. Depending on the day of the week, you can choose between a three- or four-course menu – in addition, you can order various wine pairings, bottles of champagne, or a caviar selection as an aperitif.
The three-course menu consists classically of starter, main course, and dessert. Whereas with the four-course menu you can enjoy two starters. The selection of the respective courses is kept small, yet precise, sophisticated, and composed in a Parisian brasserie style, and a taste experience is definitely pre-programmed!
Of course, there are also vegetarian/vegan alternatives and even a special dish created and tailored to the museum exhibition. The prices of the respective menus are fair and definitely appropriate for the ingredients that end up on your plate. My experience refers to the four-course menu of the lunch menu on the weekend.
Amuse-bouche
Alongside crispy crackers and fresh, typically French baguette, you are served a kind of olive pesto. This freshness perfectly highlights the atmosphere of the summer weather and is an ideal introduction to the seasonal menu that awaits you. In addition, you can enjoy an aperitif of your choice. For example, the Aperol Spritz, which is also available virgin, makes you feel like you are in Italy – only with a view of the Eiffel Tower!
The soft background music invites you to lean back and relax. Listening to the different languages at the other tables, it quickly becomes clear: Les Ombres is a place everyone in Paris wants to visit!
First course
“Lobster from our coasts, vegetable matignon and young spring shoots” – how does that sound to you? If I also tell you that the eye was allowed to eat as well, it should impress you even more. Because the dish looked as if it had just been served from the sea.
On a blue plate, the lobster together with seasonal vegetables and shoots reflected the lightness of summer. In addition, there was a juicy piece of apple, which once again emphasized the freshness. The lobster, with its delicate flavor, definitely impressed and was an excellent starter!
Second course
I was almost looking forward to this course the most, because not every restaurant offers asparagus in such a different variation. Les Ombres created the white asparagus starter in a very interesting way: with sauce Maltaise and roasted hazelnuts it was the perfect follow-up to the fishy first course.
The sauce added a bitter and at the same time sweet note, which perfectly highlighted the asparagus with its crisp texture and made it a true experience for the palate. The crunchy hazelnuts in between made every bite a new experience. That is what you call “skillful fine dining”! It was served on a light-coloured plate, so that the summer colours of the yellow sauce or even the red tomato could stand out, and you almost felt smiled at.
Erfahre hier, wie Le Petit Chef dein nächstes Dinner in eine außergewöhnliche Erfahrung verwandelt.
Third course: Main course
I was positively surprised by the speed at which each of the next courses was served: thus, I was impressed by the pink roasted beef tenderloin, which was sprinkled with fine salt crystals. The mustard jus was freshly poured at the table by the waiter. Alongside it there was mashed potato and perfectly cooked spring vegetables – here you could not only taste the freshness, but also hear it through the crisp texture.
Not to forget: while enjoying each of your individual courses, you can order the matching wine to go with it. In addition, the sunshine accompanies you during the day, and in the evening you can enjoy your beef tenderloin with the sparkling landmarks of the city. An experience in itself!
Dessert
What could Les Ombres do better than an outstanding classic French dessert? This slice of cake has taken fine dining to a new level – anyone who loves chocolate will feel exactly the same. The hazelnut and chocolate disc, dusted with a delicate layer of cocoa, consists of a soft Valrhona chocolate cream.
Cutting into it was not that easy, as at the base of the cake there was a biscuit layer, garnished with hazelnuts. It was served with an ice cream of two types of vanilla. Before I could even take my first spoonful from the scoop, this simple ice cream already convinced me: the vanilla was perfectly incorporated and clearly visible. It was the ideal finishing touch to the chocolate tart.
Conclusion to our visit to Les Ombres Paris
The menu at Les Ombres, with its seasonal ingredients, was more than just impressive. Friendly, attentive service also plays a major role alongside the well-balanced dishes – and Les Ombres definitely delivered in that regard! The glass restaurant offers a true Parisian flair and is a refreshing change from the charming Parisian bistros.
Dining above the rooftops of such a magical city is something you should not miss. It is worth it for every occasion: family gatherings, business dinners, romantic moments for two, or a quiet break for yourself.
