Maria P.
Google
🚤 River Café: A Paris Gem That Truly Stole My Heart
River Café completely stole my heart. It’s a mid-to-high range restaurant set on a beautiful boat, and everything about it: from the entrance to the atmosphere: feels charming and thoughtfully designed.
You walk down a small staircase onto the boat, and the ambiance immediately pulls you in. The staff are exceptional: polite, elegant, and genuinely kind. When I called to ask for a table, the hostess confidently said “yes” without even taking my name. And when I arrived, she instantly recognized me, greeted me warmly, and even let me choose between sitting in the area with music or without. I chose the one with live music and I had zero regrets.
🎶 The live music was perfect: soft, classy, and balanced. You could still talk comfortably while enjoying the atmosphere.
The waiters were just as wonderful—attentive, intelligent, and kind. One of them told me, “Just give me a little coucou when you’re ready, and I’ll bring your dish.” And that’s exactly how it went: charming, effortless service.
🍽️ I ordered the beef tartare, an Aperol spritz, and a glass of red wine. The tartare was out of this world: delicate baby-pink in color, rich in flavor, and beautifully seasoned peace of salad. The fries, however, were a bit dry for my taste but that’s the only small flaw in an otherwise perfect meal.
💧The only downside (as in most Paris restaurants) was the water, priced at €4 per bottle—but aside from that, everything was amazing.
I spent €52 in total for the tartare, spritz, and wine, which felt completely fair given the experience. The restaurant fills up around 8:45 PM on Fridays, so coming a bit earlier lets you soak in the quieter atmosphere before it gets lively.
✨ Final thoughts: River Café is elegant without being pretentious. Beautiful setting, impeccable service, outstanding tartare, and an ambiance that makes you want to stay for hours. Absolutely worth every euro