In the heart of Paris, Eiffel Tower’s two iconic restaurants stand out above the rest: Madame Brasserie and Jules Verne.
While both have unique charm and allure, drawing in visitors from around the world, we cannot help but wonder which is truly the better destination.
Today, we put together a culinary showdown like no other!
So, let’s find out who will come out on top in this gastronomic battle.
Table of contents
- The Setting: Madame Brasserie vs. Jules Verne
- The Price: Madame Brasserie vs Jules Verne
- The View: Madame Brasserie vs Jules Verne
- The Cuisine: Madame Brasserie vs Jules Verne
- Service and Hospitality: Madame Brasserie vs. Jules Verne
- Booking and reservation: Madame Brasserie vs. Jules Verne
- Dress code: Madame Brasserie vs. Jules Verne
- Timings: Madame Brasserie vs. Jules Verne
- Accessibility: Madame Brasserie vs. Jules Verne
- The Verdict
The Setting: Madame Brasserie vs. Jules Verne
Madame Brasserie is located on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, offering a casual and relaxed dining experience.
The restaurant’s lively interior, adorned with vintage decor ambiance, exudes a classic charm, providing a nostalgic touch to its patrons’ dining experience.
The large panoramic windows provide the beautiful city and Eiffel Tower’s inner working views.
On the other hand, Jules Verne, a beacon of contemporary culinary artistry, is a Michelin-starred restaurant on the Eiffel Tower’s second floor.
The restaurant offers a more formal, sophisticated, and elegant atmosphere, with modern design elements of an Art Nouveau decor that complements the stunning views of the city.
Jules Verne also has a private seating area for a group of eight persons away from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant.
The winner: The choice of setting depends on your personal preferences and mood.
If you want a classic Parisian dining experience with a lively atmosphere, Madame Brasserie is the place to be.
But if you’re looking for a more refined dining experience in the backdrop of breathtaking city views, you can’t go wrong with the Jules Verne Eiffel Tower.
The Price: Madame Brasserie vs Jules Verne
Madame Brasserie offers a more affordable dining experience, with prices ranging from €15-35 for a main course.
The restaurant also offers a fixed-price lunch menu, which includes a starter, main course, and dessert starting from €45 for children and €99 for adults.
At Madame Brasserie, you’ll find classic French dishes like escargot, coq au vin, and steak frites.
The portions are generous, the wine is flowing, and the atmosphere is lively.
Jules Verne, on the other hand, is a more expensive option, with prices ranging from €135-295 for a three-course meal.
The restaurant also offers a tasting menu, which includes five or seven courses and costs €255 and 275 per person, respectively.
There’s no children’s menu available.
The winner: Madame Brasserie is more budget-friendly than Jules Verne Restaurant, also offering a children’s menu.
The View: Madame Brasserie vs Jules Verne
While both Madame Brasserie and Jules Verne restaurant offer stunning views of Paris as they dish out haute cuisine, Jules Verne has a slight advantage as it is located on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower.
The floor-to-ceiling windows offer unobstructed views of the city, making it a popular choice for romantic dinners and special occasions.
Madame Brasserie, while not quite as high up, still provides breathtaking views of the city.
The restaurant’s large windows offer a panoramic view of Paris, and you can see the inner workings of the Eiffel Tower.
The winner: Jules Verne has the edge over Madame Brasserie in terms of the spectacular views.
Restaurants with Eiffel Tower view will combine the enchanting atmosphere of Parisian dining with a captivating view of the majestic and world-famous Eiffel Tower.
The Cuisine: Madame Brasserie vs Jules Verne
When it comes to cuisine, Madame Brasserie and Jules Verne each have their distinctive flair, accommodating your special dietary requirements on prior notice.
Madame Brasserie offers a range of French-inspired dishes, including escargots, onion soup, and steak frites.
The menu, designed by Thiery Marx, also features a grand selection of classic cocktails, wines, and beers.
The food is hearty and satisfying, perfect for a casual dining experience.
The restaurant prides itself on using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to create dishes that pay homage to French culinary heritage.
Jules Verne, on the other hand, offers a gourmet dining experience focusing on contemporary French cuisine.
The Fredrick Anton– designed menu changes regularly to showcase seasonal ingredients, and the dishes are impeccably presented.
Some of the restaurant’s signature dishes include foie gras with rhubarb, lobster with asparagus, and a chocolate dessert with gold leaf, black truffle risotto, or sea bass ceviche with citrus foam.
The restaurant offers out-of-the-world flavors and a multi-course menu with dishes like foie gras terrine, scallops with caviar, and roasted duck breast.
The winner: While this one is a tough choice, we find ourselves leaning towards Jules Verne restaurant for its delicious food.
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Service and Hospitality: Madame Brasserie vs. Jules Verne
Both Madame Brasserie and Jules Verne excel in providing impeccable service and warm hospitality.
The staff at Madame Brasserie exudes a traditional charm, ensuring that guests feel welcomed and attended to throughout their dining experience.
With their extensive knowledge of the menu and wine pairings, they guide patrons on a gastronomic journey, creating a memorable visit.
Jules Verne, on the other hand, offers a more contemporary approach to service.
The staff is well-versed in modern culinary techniques and prides themselves on delivering a personalized dining experience.
From recommending innovative dishes to suggesting perfectly paired wines, the attentive service at Jules Verne aims to exceed expectations and leave a lasting impression on diners.
The winner: Both restaurants have a highly hospitable staff.
Booking and reservation: Madame Brasserie vs. Jules Verne
Due to their popularity and high crowd attraction, both Jules Verne and Madame Brasserie require online table booking.
Madame Brasserie is open for online reservations for lunch or dinner, whereas breakfast and snacks cannot be booked in advance.
The lift ticket cost is included in the price of the meal.
On-site table availability is allowed but is subject to availability.
The restaurant allows you to pre-book a table of your choice either in the Cœur Brasserie or the Paris View area.
You can also select a menu of your choice and customize your experiences by availing the other services provided by the restaurant.
Groups of eleven or more need to make reservations via the restaurant’s contact form.
You can privatize the entire restaurant under certain conditions and subject to availability by specifying your requirements on the Madame Brasserie contact form.
On the other hand, Jules Verne also requires booking a table in advance.
If you cannot get a reservation for a desired date, you can register yourself and your company on the waiting list to be notified when a table becomes available.
Reservations for nine or more people can be made on the Jules Verne Restaurant’s contact form.
You can also celebrate your birthday at the restaurant and order a cake by booking the facility in advance.
The winner: Both restaurants have a convenient online table booking facility.
Dress code: Madame Brasserie vs. Jules Verne
While Madame Brasserie has no specific dress code, proper attire is required for dinner.
Sportswear, jogging, running shoes, and flip-flops are not allowed.
The Jules Verne restaurant’s dress code is smart casual.
While wearing a tie or a jacket is not mandatory, sportswear (such as T-shirts, shorts, trainers, etc.) is not accepted.
The winner: Both have a similar dress code for the venue.
Timings: Madame Brasserie vs. Jules Verne
Madame Brasserie is open throughout the day from 10 am to 11 pm.
The Jules Verne Restaurant is open during the Eiffel Tower opening hours: from 12 pm to 1.30 pm and from 7 pm to 9 pm every day.
The restaurant is closed on 14 July for dinner.
The winner: Madame Brasserie serves meals almost round the clock for greater public convenience.
Accessibility: Madame Brasserie vs. Jules Verne
Both Jules Verne and Madame Brasserie have direct and private elevator accessibility.
To reach Madame Brasserie, arrive at the foot of the Eiffel Tower on the day of your reservation, and head to Entrance 1 with your booking confirmation in the queue dedicated to the Brasserie (indicated by specific signs)
Walk to the reception of Madame Brasserie on the forecourt to collect your lift ticket and take the private elevator to the restaurant.
To reach Jules Verne restaurant, arrive at the Eiffel Tower on the day of your reservation and introduce yourself to the specific checkpoints for restaurant customers in the South and East gardens.
Walk to the Jules Verne reception desk at the Tower’s southern pillar to get direct access to the restaurant from a private elevator.
The winner: Both restaurants are equally well-accessible by private elevators.
The Verdict
Ultimately, the choice between Madame Brasserie and Jules Verne depends on your personal preferences and budget.
Both Madame Brasserie and the Jules Verne Eiffel Tower are icons of Paris, each with its own unique appeal.
So why not visit both?
Enjoy a hearty meal at Madame Brasserie, then take a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower for a nightcap at the Jules Verne restaurant.
That way, you can have the best of both worlds and experience all Paris offers.
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