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    Esméralda

    3.2 (50 reviews)
    ModerateCafes

    Esméralda Photos

    ESMÉRALDA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Esméralda

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    Alina S.

    We had lunch here today after a long day of sightseeing and we were starving. The place is small but clean and very cozy. I loved the service. Our server was funny and between my French and his English somehow we made it work. The steak was a bit tough but not so bad that you couldn't eat it. Bread was fresh and delicious and just perfect for picking up the yummy sauce that came with the meal. If you are a visitor please make sure to learn the basic phrases and always say Bonjour when you walk in. A little goes a long way ;)

    Unfortunately, I could take a picture only when my husband ate half   It was so delicious

    OMG! The food was so delicious there and the staff was very friendly and professional. We had escargot, French onion soup and beef bourguignon - it was amazing! We got there at 8:30 pm, and The restaurant was closing at 9pm. We made an order and we're seating there until we finished our food and wine.

    Tart tatin.
    Norm K.

    The one night I didn't want to ride the métro for dinner, I walked across the bridge to Île de la Cité and this is the first restaurant on the corner. Very much a tourist place, it was a cool evening and I had the outside almost to myself. I got onion soup to start which was very good with a bit more cheese than my previous time I got onion soup in Paris. When I ordered, the server said, "That's raw meat. Are you sure you want it?" I assured him. I saw steak tartare in 3 places. In two of them, including Esméralda, the meat was simply put through a grinder and forced out like hamburger. A the one establishment, the chef had cut the beef with knives to get it into the consistency he wanted. For me, that's the correct way but this was good but without seasoning until you used the salt and pepper mills on the table. Dessert was their tart tatin with some ice cream. The server was polite and attentive.

    His and hers breakfast choices
    Galya T.

    Its a cute, super touristy place but friendly service. The restaurant has a wifi which is great if you are traveling through Paris without a wifi. The spot is very touristy. Since Norte Dame has been gated off and people are walking around borders and on the sidewalk, its hard sitting outside without struggling your way through heavy human traffic. Human traffic is literally your view...not beautiful Norte Dame garden with fountain and roses. Its a spot to stop and get coffee for energy boost not a place to enjoy beautiful Parisian streets and architecture.

    Front entrance to Esméralda
    Scott M.

    This one of my favorite French brasseries, my wife and I have been dining here for years. This small restaurant located adjacent to Notre Dame Cathedral had both inside and outside dining. A perfect spot to people watch while you eat or just having a glass of wine. The have a large menu with great salads, burgers, pizza and various French specialties like escargot and cheese plates. The service is very friendly and attentive. The place is good for lunch or an early dinner, but be aware that they close before 8pm. There prices are reasonable for a touristy area and they have free WiFi. #parisrestaurants #parisbrasseries #restaurantsnearnotredame

    Peter B.

    A good example of an average French bistro with somewhat inflated prices due to proximity to some landmark (Notre Dame in this case). The cheese plate and salad were good. The waiter was suitably surly as all French waiters appear to be and made not one but two wine recos for more expensive wine. Perhaps if one can not pronounce brouilly one is not fit to drink it. The cheese plate was 15 where in any other bistro I've seen it 9-12. The food came out very very quickly though.

    The BEST nutella and coco crepes. Have visited here every time we are in Paris.
    Catherine W.

    I can't comment on the food but the crepe stand outside is outstanding. Nutella and Coco crepes here are the BEST!!! Highly addictive. I crave them back in the states. Even in Paris, I was obsessed with street crepes and no other crepes compared. Best in the city.

    Brasserie Esmerelda

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    1 year ago

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    Very friendly wait staff and amazing French onion soup. Has a great view looking over the river/bridge.

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    10 years ago

    Ask for Thomas!!!! Food and staff were great and very friendly to non-French speaking people!!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Esméralda Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Esméralda

    This small restaurant located adjacent to Notre Dame Cathedral had both inside and outside dining.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    A. Lacroix - This is gonna be good

    A. Lacroix

    4.8(127 reviews)
    0.2 kmNotre Dame De Paris, 5ème
    €€

    We stopped here right after flying into Paris and it was such a delight. All the desserts were so…read moredistinctive and crafted so eloquently. The apple had a lightness to it yet the middle had a fresh apple crunchiness. The other two treats were wonderful. We ordered flat white's and they were done perfect. The staff spoke English as well as French (which was helpful for us). You could see the Notre Dame from the window. Small seating area and perfect cozy feel.

    THE FOOD ------------------…read more+ Notre Dame Granny Smith Apple Confit - Was refreshing! I couldn't tell if this was a real apple or some fancy French creation made to look like one - that's how real it looked! The mousse and apple bits were cold & delicious and the chocolate shell was good, but not sure if it was worth the price at €7.5. + Pain Au Chocolat Cookie - Verrrry good chocolate chip cookie, chocolate croissant mashup. Only thing that we were missing was some good ol' milk! + Almond Croissant - Once again, delicious! Solid croissant and definitely a good grab and go candidate. = Citronnade - Was just OK. Lemonade that was on the watered down side, but was somewhat refreshing because I was dying of thirst. THE SERVICE ----------------------- - Employee who helped us with our order was friendly, but the cashier was a bit blah and not exactly the friendliest person, especially when we asked for extra utensils and napkins. THE SURROUNDINGS ------------------------------------ - Smallish, tight interior that you can dine in at, but don't be surprised if the next table is sitting on top of you. + There are also 5 outdoor tables on the narrow street. - Entrance is tight too. RANDOM OBSERVATIONS ------------------------------------------- + Even though this bakery is ranked highly on Tripadvisor, there was no crowd on the Monday morning that we swung by. Line moved superfast.

    Photos
    A. Lacroix
    A. Lacroix - Great spot for a pastry and beverage will looking out at Notre Dame Cathedral.

    Great spot for a pastry and beverage will looking out at Notre Dame Cathedral.

    A. Lacroix

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    Café du Marché des Enfants Rouges - Mocha

    Café du Marché des Enfants Rouges

    3.7(59 reviews)
    1.3 kmMarais Nord, 3ème, Marais
    €€

    This place was packed during lunch rush, and we appreciated the staff keeping us informed as we…read morewaited for our table for 4 adults and 2 kids. I love how lunch is not rushed here. We were able to enjoy the food and each other. I ordered the special shrimp curry dish. The portion was just right, and paired well with a white wine. They make the most of the space here. It is a bustling restaurant for locals and visitors to enjoy.

    This place made me love escargot! I had never tried it before, but knew I had to at some point on…read moremy trip to Paris. We came here for some coffee on a rainy afternoon, but were pleasantly surprised to see escargot on the menu too and figured we'd give it a shot. Coffee wise we got the vienna coffee which had chocolate inside. It was good, with a nice espresso flavor and a huge dollop of whipped cream on top. A nice pick me up for the day. The escargot on the other hand, was so fantastic. They were served all cute in their little shells on a tray, and bubbling when we first got them. The green sauce that they came with was fantastic, and the butter was also a great addition! This made for such a flavorful little bite - escargots taste like little chewy clams to me, nothing strange at all. It also came with a few pieces of baguette to soak up the yummy sauce. Service was friendly and the inside of the restaurant has such a nice vibe. I would definitely recommend this spot!

    Photos
    Café du Marché des Enfants Rouges
    Café du Marché des Enfants Rouges - Chicken and mashed potatoes

    Chicken and mashed potatoes

    Café du Marché des Enfants Rouges - Outside view

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    Outside view

    Epicerie Breizh - Mabouine (pear, chocolate sauce, vanilla, and caramel almonds)

    Epicerie Breizh

    4.1(480 reviews)
    1.2 kmMarais Nord, 3ème, Marais
    €€

    When in Paris, you must go to a crêperie! Breizh Cafe is a popular crêperie with many locations…read morethroughout Paris. The cafe is a tight space, but since we came early, it wasn't busy. They have a clean bathroom upstairs, you'll just need to climb the staircase. We ordered the strawberry crepe and duck and asparagus galette bretonne. So there's actually a bit of a difference between a crepe and a galette. Crepes are usually sweet and made with wheat flour, while galettes are usually savory and made with buckwheat flour. Between the two, I enjoyed the strawberry crepe more, the strawberry jam made the crepe a delicious sweet treat. The flavors of the galette weren't as satisfying to my tastebuds, but I still enjoyed it. I would be interesting in trying other galette flavors next time. While my expectations weren't fully realized (I didn't LOVE it), I still enjoyed giving Breizh Cafe a try. We didn't visit enough crêperies on this trip, so it's something I look forward to doing the next time I'm back in Paris!

    There is Cafe Breizh that always seems to have an hour wait and then Epicerie Breizh next door…read morewhere you are directed to order take out from - but I was able to sit and order crepes at the Epicierie without having to wait, so I'm not entirely sure the difference between the two. I think the Cafe has a larger menu with things besides crepes. I actually preferred the more casual vibe at the Epicerie and only wanted to get a crepe anyways, so it worked out better for me. I had a dessert crepe with bananas and ice cream (think bananas foster, Parisian style) and it was very reasonably priced and delicious.

    Photos
    Epicerie Breizh - Kitchen

    Kitchen

    Epicerie Breizh - Campagnarde- to die for!

    Campagnarde- to die for!

    Epicerie Breizh

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    Esméralda - cafes - Updated May 2026

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