Best Lunch Near Louvre: 10 Best Spots At Or Near The Louvre

If you’re looking for a list of the best lunch restaurants near The Louvre, look no further than this list. The last time I was in Paris, I stayed in the 1er Arrondissement about four blocks from The Louvre, which meant I tried a lot of the restaurants nearby, and I’ve eaten there every time I’ve been there. There’s lots of great choices.

If you happen to be thinking about doing The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower in the same day as many people do, I’d recommend going on a Friday and starting at the Eiffel Tower. I’d personally have lunch down by the Eiffel Tower and then head to The Louvre as you’ll have better options around it or as you walk, bike, or drive along the Seine river.

This article is your complete guide to eating near The Louvre.

Best Lunch Recommendations at The Louvre

Where you eat lunch in The Louvre really depends on where you are in the museum when you hit lunch hour. Depending on the route you take, it could take a half hour to get back to most lunch options. You want to plan your route for the day keeping your lunch and dinner options in mind. Don’t just wander off in any old direction.

But if you’re near the Carousel du Louvre — where the pyramid is, that will give you the most options. A full list of restaurants and cafés is available here on The Louvre website if none of my recommendations tickle your fancy. All recommendations are something I’ve personally eaten or taken a few bites of from a friend or family member who was eating with me, so I can vouch for them.

1. Bistrot Benoit

Located on level -2 under the pyramid, this French bistro has desserts that you have to try. Here’s my one-liner Bistrot Benoit at The Louvre review: It’s a convenient location under the pyramid and it’s the nicest sit-down food you’ll be able to get at The Louvre itself. Keep in mind that it is a bistro, so the tables are going to be semi-close together if you’re a person who needs your space.

Cost: €31,50 per person for a starter and main or starter and dessert, but they have plenty of standalone dishes between €11 and €20
Location: Level -2 in the Sully Pavillion
My top recommendations from Bistrot Benoit:
- Chilled lentils, soft-boiled egg and crispy bacon
- Croque-monsieur ham and emmental
- Pollock with Bonne-femme sauce, rice from Camargue
- Tatin tartlet, Isigny cream

If you get to The Louvre in the morning want to eat here, I highly recommend staying in the Sully Pavillion because if you end up in Richelieu especially you’ll be far away and it’s not always easy to tell where you are and you’ll get turned around. Overall, Bistrot Benoit is the best lunch restaurant at The Louvre if you want a sit-down place.

2. Le Café Mollien

The first time I was at The Louvre, I ate at Le Café Mollien, so it’s a restaurant I have fond memories of. Full disclosure: The tables are not the world’s nicest setup — they’re just plain white and honestly kinda boring, but if you want a good lunch, then I recommend this spot.

Cost: €17 for the lunch special of sandwich or quiche, dessert, and beverage.
Location: Level 1 in the Denon Pavillion, next to the red French paintings rooms
My top recommendations from Le Café Mollien:
- Roasted chicken, curry, mayonnaise, mustard, parsley baguette sandwich
- New potato salad, smoked haddock, whole-grain mustard sauce, red onion pickles, mignonnette pepper, dill
- Goat cheese and spinach quiche
- Pyramide chocolate cake
- Fruit tart

The Denon pavilion is massive — this is one of the areas of the museum that stretches several city blocks, so if you find yourself in this pavilion at lunch and you want to see as much as possible in your day at The Louvre, I recommend eating here rather than going back to the Carousel so you don’t lose precious time. You cannot see everything at The Louvre in a day so you need to route plan strategically.

I don’t like any of the lunch options in The Richelieu wing and I would avoid eating there if you can.

The Best Lunch Places Near The Louvre

Everything in this section is just a few blocks away or relatively next door. There’s lots of great dining options around the museum. Keep in mind though that you can lose substantial time walking to/from the place, so I recommend eating at The Louvre if your goal is to see as much as possible and not just do a tour of the greatest hits.

3. Pavillion des Tuileries

I’m not usually one for smoked salmon, but I know a once-in-a-lifetime dish when I see it, and I’m so glad I tried it because it was excellent. The smoked salmon gnocchi I had at this restaurant was some of the best food I had in Paris. It is filling, though, so if you get the food sleeps, I would not recommend that dish. It’s great outdoor dining and it feels upscale. Located at Jardin des Tuileries, you’ll never be able to beat the view.

Cost: Roughly €20 for a plate.
Location: Tuileries Garden – south-west kiosk
My top recommendations from Pavillion des Tuileries:
- Smoked salmon gnocchi
- Chickenburger
- La poulette salad
- Cassis ice cream

4. Loup

If you want to be slightly away from all the touristy traps of The Louvre but be within a 10-minute walk of The Louvre via rue du Rivoli, you have to try Loup. It’s got a little terrace as well as indoor dining, so you can have your pick of dining experiences. They’ve got quirky decor, friendly staff, and even the locals like it, so you know it’s good. I went for dinner and not for lunch, but the menu doesn’t change for each course so I know you’ll be in good hands with these. Overall, I think it’s the best lunch near The Louvre.

Cost: €20-€30 for a plate.
Location: 44 rue du Louvre Angle, Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris, France
My top recommendations from Loup:
- Meatballs with spicy tomato sauce
- Hanoï poké bowl
- Risotto du Conquillettes
- Marinated pig shoulder
- Half-baked cookie

5. Café Saint Honoré

Café Saint Honoré is a quaint café located a quick walk from The Louvre. If you want a smaller lunch, this is a great option. It’s a 5-minute walk (and I walk with canes, so I’m slower than the average person). You’ll be paying the distance tax big time here because for a café it’s pricey, but that’s true of any place near the world’s most visited museum. The Famous Croque is what you’ll want to have for something you can’t get back in the US. It’s white ham, Saint Nectaire cheese and truffle cream goodness.

Cost: €20-€30 for a plate.
Location: 194 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
My top recommendations from Café Saint Honoré:
- Chicken tempura paillard
- The Famous “Saint-Ho” Burger
- The Famous Croque
- Chocolate Moelleux

6. Le Nemours

Le Nemours is where I’d go if you want something that will be fast and relatively budget-friendly. It’s one of the cheaper places around The Louvre, but that’s not an indictment of its quality. There’s excellent food to be had here. Once you get out of the carousel on Rue du Rivoli, it’s just a block away. They have air conditioning, which if you visit in the summer, will end up being your most sought-after amenity, trust me. The Louvre does not have air conditioning.

Cost: €10-€20 for a plate.
Location: 2 à 7 Galerie de Nemours, 2 Place Colette, 75001 Paris, France
My top recommendations from Le Nemours:
- Le Nemours sandwich
- Vegetarian croque
- La Ferme d’Alexandre cheese platter
- Zucchini & ricotta quiche
- Chocolate mousse with crunchy praline

7. Les Délices du Marengo

Sometimes you just want something quick and this is that. They’ve got a few sandwiches and paninis and crêpes and waffles. But they do them well. This won’t be anything fancy, but it’s a good, serviceable meal at a price per person that’s hard to beat. They also deliver on Uber Eats if you’re feeling lazy one day and don’t want to leave your hotel room. A lot of hotels in Paris don’t have room service. But at The Louvre, you’ll be in and out quickly and can get back to doing touristy things.

Cost: €7-€13
Location: 2 rue de Marengo, 75001 Paris
My top recommendations from Le Nemours:
- Tomato mozzarella sandwich
- Tuna panini
- Crepe Marengo
- Bubble waffle

8. Café de la Régence

We’re back to Rue Saint-Honoré for this one. I don’t think you could really go wrong with any of the options on this road, if I’m being honest. But Café de la Régence is a quaint, modern place with sleek decor. If you want a sit-down meal, this is a great option. They’ve also got a really lovely patio, but I would enjoy that mostly in the evenings when it’s less toasty if you’re a summer Parisian traveller.

Cost: €20-€30
Location: 167 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
My top recommendations from Le Nemours:
- Régence salad
- Norwegian salmon
- Duck thigh confit
- Lost brioche

9. Le Musset

See, what’d I tell you about Saint-Honoré? It’s got the best lunch restaurants near The Louvre! Of all the restaurants on this list, it’s got my favorite interior design by far with lush blue velvet and great chevron wallpaper. Sometimes, you just don’t want to be on the street listening to tourist conversations, and a lot of decor in the city can be quite dingy or dated. This feels contemporary and updated.

Cost: €20-€30
Location: 167 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
My top recommendations from Le Nemours:
- Aged Iberian ham from Cebo
- Bad Boy pasta
- Fish and chips
- Apple cinnamon crumble

10. Le Fumoir

Le Fumoir’s got a different vibe. This is a cosy place that I recommend for an afternoon break if you’ve been furiously making your way through things. They have a tea room and a library. This Scandinavian-focused menu is one of the most distinctive on this list. The food we had here was so good we went back twice. It’s the most expensive option on the list, but if you’re looking for a good special meal that won’t break the bank with Michelin-star prices, this is what I’d recommend.

Cost: €30-€40
Location:6 Rue de l’Amiral de Coligny, 75001 Paris, France
My top recommendations from Le Fumoir:
- Zucchini strips
- Porchetta
- Burnt mackerel
- Almond cake with rhubarb

Best Lunch Near Louvre: 10 Best Spots At Or Near The Louvre