I had a wonderful experience at Le Calife. It was my and my friend's first time in Paris (in Europe, for that matter) and I booked a nice little dinner cruise for us to take in the beauty of Paris. It was our first night in Paris. I was able to go through the online reservation and put my name in. A few weeks later, I had to call to give them my credit card for a deposit. They gave specific directions to locate the boat. It was harder for us to find the stairs to get down to the dock :D We had a wonderful meal. We went for the higher priced meal because we're already in that part of the world, why not go all out? I did not regret this choice one bit. I had the foie gras for a starter, the steak for the main course, and the apple crisp with caramel. I liked the steak. The foie gras was just ok for me and the apple crisp, I wish the ice cream came in a bowl on the side because the ice cream started to melt and it made the bottom of the apple crisp not so crispy. The timing of the cruise was perfect. We got to see the Eiffel tower light up and got some great pictures. The weather was absolutely perfect. All I was worried about was getting my champagne and getting bit by a spider that was lingering in and out our window. read more

Best dinner cruise on the Seine. Intimate, upscale, impeccable service. Nice options on menu and the wine choices were excellent!

Wonderfully smooth dinner cruise. Food and drink were exceptionally, as was the sight seeing. Two inclusive menu's with different price points to choose from. Service was on point and very friendly. Highly recommend. read more

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This was so disappointing. We paid a small fortune for the dinner cruise for our party of 9 people. We boarded at 8 and were the first table seated, and after a while it became apparent that no waitstaff was assigned to our table. After multiple requests, we finally got water delivered to our table at 9. After more begging, drinks arrived at 9:15. We brought kids with us and they were falling apart due to lack of food and drink. We watched every other table get their drinks and finish their meals before we even got water. Our youngest is a picky eater and we asked if we could decline her prix fix menu and just have a small plate of cheese for her instead and were told no, the cheese plate would cost extra. The food when it finally arrived was ok, but not great. The boat was beautiful, and this could have been a really special experience but it was just completely frustrating. Any other restaurant would have apologized and maybe comped a couple drinks. But instead we were presented with a bill for all of our meals even though we had prepaid. That took forever to sort out as well, and of course, no apology. I would not recommend this experience ro anyone. read more

I'm not one to mix a boat ride with dinner that often. Typically you give something up. Food quality, service, something. My wife and I were in paris one more night and we decided to end it with a dinner cruise in the Seine. After a great deal of research we chose Le Calife and am I glad we did. You can find many dinner cruises on the Seine and we saw a bunch as we were cruising down the river but you won't find this quaint, charming and outstanding as this one. It's an older vessel that simply drips of charm and old world. Most you see are modern and larger. Let's break it down: Atmosphere 5 stars - we had our own private table looking out on the shore. Perfect views with white table cloth and fresh flowers. Even an old style lamp outside the window. The boat had maybe 40 guests but it did not seem at all crowded. It was open air on the top and even though it was a steamy summer evening it did not feel it. For old style class and feel, this is the best in the city. Service 5 stars - we were waited on by two gentlemen who took our drinks and attended to our every need. Simply have no compliments or issues. They spoke good English and made us feel very welcomed. Food 4.5 stars - not what i expected from a dinner cruise. Much better. I had the lamb shoulder which was some of the best I've ever had. The french know how to cook lamb! Wife had the sea bass which was perfectly seared. Deserts were of french quality however not as creative as you would find in a top quality french restaurant. Overall very solid boat or no boat. Value 5 stars - total check was 250 euros. I ordered from the more expensive selection which was 40 euro more. Also we had at least 5 drinks. When you add the great 2 hour cruise on the Seine capped off by the Eiffel Tower, there was no better way to wrap up this trip. There are many dinner cruises to choose from but only one that is this good! read more

Le Calife - French Near Me - Paris, 75

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on board at 7PM still no service at 8:30. Boat is very stuffy. So far I would not recommend this Seine River Boat Dinner Cruise. I see there are very good reviews, not sure what they see on Le Calife, I call it as I see it. read more

I really wanted to like this place better, but we had a terrible dining experience. Granted, I don't speak French. I can't even fake a bad French accent. But given the number of tourists that come here, I'd expect the service to have been better. We ended having to ask for things multiple times (such as water or butter for bread). Seemed like we were largely being ignored. Sadly, I didn't think the food quality was very good either. At least the location is convenient. read more

What an amazing way to end off our honeymoon in Paris! A coworker had just went and recommended this experience. I reserved online and then called in to put our deposit down. They then sent instructions on how to find the dock and were very punctual and polite. My husband and I tried the 67 euro menu and were very pleased. The staff were nice and had put sparklers on our dessert to congratulate us! The food was amazing and the view was even better! As the boat is more smaller and intimate, you always have a view of the Seine River as there are no tables in the middle. Would definitely commend! read more

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We decided taking a tour on the Seine via boat was a must when in Paris and why not do it with a meal! After reading MANY reviews, we decided to go with Le Calife. It definitely lived up to the hype. We were greeted and escorted to our table immediately upon arrival. We decided to go with the more expensive menu. I ordered the duck and it was cooked to perfection. If you decide to go with the cheaper menu option though, you will not be disappointed. The table next to us went with that option and all of their food looked fantastic. Our waitress took great care of us. Even offered to bring other drink for us when she realized we only took a sip of our champagne (I'm pregnant and my husband doesn't drink bubbly...). As for the actual boat ride, it was a nice and relaxing smooth ride. Like other reviewers have mentioned, they time going in front of the Eiffel Tower when it sparkles perfectly and turn around to give ample opportunity for pictures. This was definitely our favorite thing we did during our week stay in Paris. If you're looking to do a boat tour, look no further. This was worth every penny. read more

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Lovely dinner cruise for a romantic evening. The food was good, if a bit expensive, but what made the evening worth it was the candlelit dinner on the Seine. Beautiful views of Paris, including arriving at the Eiffel Tower just as the light show goes off. Highly recommended for an evening with a significant other. read more

My husband, in-laws, and I cruised with Le Calife for dinner last week, and it exceeded our expectations. Boarding, check-in, and seating was easy. We selected the Menu Royale on the terrace level with drinks included. It was a warm evening, so the top was opened. Service was excellent, and the food was delicious. Seeing Paris at night from the boat (including the twinkling Eiffel Tower at the top of the hour) was a great experience. It's not inexpensive, but well worth the price for a special dinner and experience. read more

**SUPER ROMANTIC AND MEMORABLE DINNER CRUISE** I'm not a fan of overly-touristy activities, but this 2 hour cruise was highly recommended, so we booked a month in advance. Opted for the 47 EURO menu and ordered: *PERIGORD SALAD Lettuce, smoked duck, giblets, tomatoes, with pine nuts were quite good. The duck meat was amazingly juicy and flavorful. *DUCK CONFIT WITH POTATO CRUST Again, the duck meat was wonderful. *CINNAMON VANILLA CUSTARD Disappointing dessert overall. Nothing stood out with flavors or texture. Pretty boring. I think creme brulees and apple tarts are standard (and safe) dessert fare for tourists, so I was not impressed. The overall ambiance was ideal for special occasions and marriage proposals! Seeing the lights on the Eiffel Tower at night was breath-taking. Unforgettable and HIGHLY RECOMMEND. read more

Absolutely one of the highlights of my trip! Le Calife dinner cruise was a delightfully memorable event because of the elegant rhythm of the service, the sumptuous menu, and the expert timing of the boats tour of the Seine. Phuntsok and the rest of the staff were very cordial and their service was exceptional. They start you off with a glass of champagne and an amuse bouche. Even as I accidentally spilt my champagne, they replaced my glass and cleaned everything up without making me feel bad. Phuntsok's service was very smooth and seemed effortless. The menu had lots to choose from, and they happily provided English menus. Everything I ordered was so delicious, from the melting foie gras in puff pastry, to the perfectly cook scallops with herb butter sauce, and the apple tart with a calvados shot. The views from this intimate boat was the show stopper! Something everything ought to experience at least once when visiting the City of Lights! We embarked with champagne at sunset when the surrounding buildings and bridges had a soft lavender pink hue, had our main course by the sparkling Eiffel tour and dessert by the Statue of Libery. Definitely worth every Euro! Book at least 3 months in advance to get the coveted front table as I did though every table had a great view! read more

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An experience of a lifetime! Way beyond my expectations. Gliding on the Seine, just below the sparkling Eiffel Tower, happily woozy on Champagne and tender, subtly cinnamon-fragrant duck, was already more than I imagined. But to finish the night, below deck, sipping Moroccan tea and listening to hypnotic Indian fusion music... just confirmed that the best experiences are often unexpected. It would be our last real night in Paris, the dinner cruise. While I had no expectations, I think I did expect one of those white, modern boats I'd seen along the Seine - not much different than one I got too drunk and sick on a San Francisco booze cruise back in the '80s. Touristy, but fine for sipping a cocktail and watching the view. After getting off the Metro at the Louvre-Rivoli stop, we (my family and I) walked on a bridge, headed toward our dinner cruise boat on the Seine. When I spotted the boat we'd be boarding for dinner: Le Calife, I was happily surprised. Warm wooden lanterns hanging on the outside, red-clothed tables... like something from another era. We ordered dinner and drinks, as the sun went from late-afternoon golden, to pink and purple, then black. The historic architecture slid by, then glowed in warm light, as Le Calife glided down the Seine. We finished our dinner - the best meal I had in Paris: tender duck on mashed potatoes glazed with a sweet and savory cinnamon-scented sauce. A waitress brought desserts to my sister Denise and her husband Mick, topped with sparklers, as the entire boat wished them happy birthdays (both born that month, August). What a birthday celebration! It couldn't be better. I thought. Then, the golden-lit Eiffel Tower grew as we neared it, and the iconic structure began to sparkle, as it does every hour in the evening. We glided nearer and nearer. The boat reached just below the tower's legs. As if staged, the moon peeked from the center of the Eiffel Tower. Incredible. Afterward, mom's friend, the woman in charge of the dinner cruise recipes and ex-wife of the captain, introduced us to the Captain and Le Calife owner: Nicolas Gailledrat. My husband Ian, a musician/recording console designer, was surprised to see Nicolas has a recording studio on the boat (below deck). Nicolas began to tell Ian how he once ran a jazz club on Le Calife, and recorded many artists; one of the musicians was John McLaughlin and his Indian-American fusion band Shakti. Next thing I know, we're seated below deck on Le Calife, sipping Moroccan spearmint tea, watching and listening to a video of Shakti's exotic music - rhythmic, hypnotic, sitar-style guitar and thumping tablas. So mesmerized, I said "That tabla player ( Zakir Hussain) is like the Jimmy Page of Tabla." It was not what I expected when mom said, "We're going on a dinner cruise." Screw expectations. Some experiences are heightened when they're unexpected. Full experience and video on the Calife, here: http://aprilbaby.typepad.com/a_california_life/2011/08/magical-parisian-mystery-tour.html read more

Le Calife - What a relief, Le Calife is beautiful, and not the white tourist boat I imagined. - French Near Me - Paris, 75

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Having celebrated our wedding here, my wife and I returned for our two year anniversary. What a treat! In terms of the specifics of the trip, the other reviews are pretty dead on: slow moving trip perfectly timed to arrive at the Eiffel Tower for the hourly light show. But this is a restaurant boat and not a tour boat! This boat has a very interesting story and the owner has been continuously improving it. At one point, it was a recording studio and later it hosted a variety of musical performances. If you get there early here is a tip: Ask to take a peek below decks at the recording studio and performance area. There are many wonderful instruments including the last Steinway Grand to be produced at the original atelier. Most of the staff remembered us and we were treated to the best view and table on the boat. Boarding is between 7:45 - 8:15 pm and they depart promptly at 8:50 pm. The owner, Capt. Nicolas, stopped by our table to say hi and tell us about the changes over the past couple years. From new tables and chairs to remodeled bathrooms, the "péniche" (barge) is looking wonderful. The closest way I can describe this business is a family who happens to run a restaurant on a boat and is inviting you to dine at their house. You will feel a sense of pride and ownership from every member of the staff. Everyone working last night remembered us from 2 years ago and greeted us warmly and enthusiastically. The beauty and decor of the boat was further justification that we made the perfect decision to have our wedding here. Oh and the food: amazing. For starters I had the homemade foie gras and my wife had the ayurvedic salad. Both can't be missed. For the main dishes, we had the duck breast with honey sauce and lamb shoulder. Both were perfect. There are many options for main entrees and I don't think you'll find a bad one on the menu. After those two amazing courses, the cheese course, dessert, and digestif were just an added bonus. With the selection of bubbly, cocktails, and wine along with the slow moving picturesque views of Paris invoking memories from our magical wedding, it all added up to my favorite night out in a very long time. read more

Le Calife - View from the first table - French Near Me - Paris, 75

A different view of Paris, and believe it or not a clever positioning of the Statue of Liberty aligned with the Eifel tower...for a visual trick that makes you ask what the tower is doing in NY.... A great lunch cruise with unexpectedly super food, exceptional service and a true Parisian experience. From the reservation process to the disembarkation, this is a classy operation and a must do for the Paris-o-phile. We arrived on time and were welcomed with champagne. Despite a change in our party size the team was superbly accommodating and friendly. There is a not a bad seat in the house...so to speak and the sights from this angle were something I had never experienced in all my visits to Paris. The food was excellent. Surprising how they were able to produce such high quality on the boat...but they were. Salad was fresh with pâté and gizzards, accompanied by a dense vinaigrette sauce that was a delicate accompaniment. The fish was perfectly cooked as was the guinea fowl, and the potatoes rice and vegetables were warmly dressed with appropriate consistency sauces that accentuated the tastes. The crème Brule was soft and tantalizingly fresh and cool to round up a perfect meal. This cruise is worth every euro and every minute. A great angle on Paris. read more

Book this cruise!!! We had a Romantic dinner cruise. We looked at so many boats and even moved our schedule around to go on this one. We are so glad we did. The food was good enough but the boat itself was amazing! The other boats we saw on the water that night looked cheap, tacky and like a 90's casinos. This boat is totally classy and romantic. Every table is at a window no second or third rows. The captain timed it perfectly pulling up too the Eiffel tower right as the lights started sparkling. You can get up and go outside on the top deck and take pictures with the tower behind you. My wife and I will ride again on a future visit. read more

This was supposed to be the highlight of our trip, the reviews were great and we were ready. But this ship went south before it even left the dock. The host tried to sit us all the way in the back where there was DUCT TAPE on the windows, maybe he though these young and naïve kids will fall for it, but there should not be a table where they tried to sit us. After talking to the waiter a couple of times (he lied and said the ship was full because he didn't want to move us) they moved us to the seat we deserved and paid for. Champagne to start and it was very nice. The bread was not fresh, maybe a day old. Don't get the goat cheese salad, it is bad, those textures do not mix. The steak deserves an award, *drumroll* THOUGHEST STEAK IN PARIS OR MAYBE THE WORLD, I am not exaggerating it can pass for chewing gum. The ginea fowl was alright but the apples that come with it make it pretty good. Stay away form the frozen nougat dessert, it resembles a failed culinary experiment. read more

Are you kidding me. If I could eat here every night I would!!!! My birthday was unforgettable. The ride was nice and smooth the service was above and beyond. I felt like I was the only one being served. You don't even know your on a boat the ride was so smooth. This was the highlight of my whole trip!!!! Food just melted in your mouth popped with so much flavor. Yessssss read more

One of the top 3 things we did in Paris! Booking was easy. We had a table inside by the big picture windows which was nice because we had bigger tables than those on the terraces and weren't sitting side by side with your neighbor. Amazing service and food was delicious. We both had the steak and I want the recipe for the cheese puffs we had with our complimentary champagne! We purchased a bottle of wine with the 67 euro dinner so all in all with tip it was about 200 euro and worth every penny. The smaller menu is more than enough food. We got to the Eiffel Tower just as it started sparkling and I got amazing video & pics. I loved the intimacy of this boat and that the meals are cooked onboard and not pre-cooked elsewhere. A must do experience. read more

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This is was the main highlight of a trip filled with many highlights. My expectations were vastly surpassed in almost every way. The ship itself was very smooth and in great condition, and the food was excellent. I had the duck with orange sauce and the warm goat cheese flaky pastry. Both were excellent and the service of the waitstaff was excellent too. They made a sincere effort to understand and speak English, which made our experience that much better. The cruise slowly sailed through Paris as in turned into night and it was about as relaxing and comfortable as you could be. The view of the Eiffel tower as the sun was setting was priceless and boat made it a point to slow down as we approached it. Excellent time all around. read more

After researching several Seine dinner cruises, my husband and I selected La Calife. We waited until we were in Paris to book, and the only openings were for four days later in the inner cabin, so if you have a limited time in Paris, definitely book ahead. The inner cabin was well appointed with nice views, and we were able to go to an upper deck for a few photos throughout the cruise. We passed several other cruise boats on the way, and none looked as charming or intimate as ours. The atmosphere is fantastic and the food was great. We had the Mediterranean plate and goat cheese salad to start, the sea bass and lamb for our main dishes, and the apple tart and chocolate cake for dessert. All was very well prepared, but the goat cheese and lamb were my favorites. The cheese course was quite delicious, too. Considering the portions and the two hours you spend on the water looking out over the city, this cruise is a great deal, honestly. Great way to experience Paris! read more

Le Calife - This is the interior of the lower portion of the boat. Great atmosphere. - French Near Me - Paris, 75

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My husband and I booked the LeCalife based on recommendations from friends. We choose the 3 course meal- I started with the gravlax salmon and my husband had the warm goat cheese. The warm goat cheese was delicious. We both had the steak which was very good and for dessert he had the creme brulee and I had the Apple crisp- both were delicious. I would highly recommend this dinner cruise, it takes you up the Seine and you get to see beautiful sights, timed perfectly you'll end up at the Eiffel Tower in time for it to sparkle. A couple of recommendation I have is all to sit in the enclosed section. I requested the open top section, hoping it would be a beautiful night but alas it wasn't meant to be. It is covered, (not enclosed) but it was cold. They supply you with blankets for your legs, but it was quite chilly. Another is to get the early, it isn't the easiest place to find and traffic is brutal. Book this on advance so you don't miss out, you won't regret it!! read more

Amazing experience! Don't hesitant to book. Our favorite dinner experience during our stay in Paris. The food is amazing and the boat is nice and charming. read more

I was here for a work event. I know, life's hard. Opted for the salmon tartar (helloooo too much dill), the vegetable puff pastry (what's IN that dish? I had to refrain from licking the plate), and the apple tart (with caramel ice cream; do they even give rewards for people who don't lick their plates clean? Seriously, I should get two at the very least). Service is friendly, prices are fair, and the champers kept me from getting sea sick. The views are stunning. Stunning! We rode past the Eiffel right as the clock struck 9pm, so we watched it sparkle. Super romantic, but not so much when you're there with your co-workers. C'est la vie. And what a vie it is! read more

BEST night ever! But I may be a little biased as this is the evening the BF proposed Walking along the Seine to get to Le Calife, we see large dinner boats & I'm thinking, hmm, interesting. But the BF did his research well! Le Calife is a smaller, more intimate boat that also happens to tout an incredible chef We had their Veggie Gastronomique Menu & couldn't have been more impressed Started out w/ the most delish Goat Cheese Tart Salad w/ these 2 pockets of goat cheese enveloped in a tender flaky crust & joined by the tenderest greens. This goat cheese was smooth & very gooey - not tart like the chevre we are used to. Lots of stringy pulls as we cut into the pastry. Baby greens to pair with the dish & this was just outstanding Main Dish for us both included a Coconut Curry w/ a Thai spin - instead of rice or noodles, it was served w/ a lovely quinoa - all in a green curry sauce w/ ginger, tofu, carrots & pea pods The quinoa nicely soaked up the sauce to kick up the flavor level & the nuttiness of the grain really added something to the already delish dish - not spicy but extremely flavorful As we're dining, the lights are out except for decorative running lamps & string lights to give it a very festive yet romantic ambiance. We glide along the Seine, seeing all kinds of monumental landmarks Perfect timing has us hitting la Tour Eiffel *right* as it goes into its " twinkly light " mode. The tower is lit all night but it goes into the special " twinkly mode " only at a certain time & for a few minutes. It was right after the magic of seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle for us that BF popped the question AND as if it couldn't get any better, out comes dessert. Molten Chocolate Cake for me - with the perfect crunch on the outside & nice & oozing on the inside. The chocolate was dark & intense but not too rich. Perfection! BF had the Profiteroles & loved them but preferred my cake ( I made a rare exception & shared dessert ) I would highly recommend an evening on the Seine w/ Le Calife - you're be well fed, wonderfully amazed, and completely mesmerized read more

So happy with my experience here!! My friend recommended a Seine river cruise so I decided to combine the cruise with a meal for my family :) Reservations fill up extremely quick here so be sure to pay the deposit right away. It took me three tries to figure this out... In the end, I got the Sunday lunch cruise which comes with a choice between two set meals (one for 60 something and one for over 100). My dad and I got the 100 euro set lunch and my mom got the other one because she wanted the beef with Sichuan sauce haha For the purpose of my review, I will only be reviewing the set lunch I got. The Califfe signature foie gras that came as our first course was this huge chunk of foie gras with a little bit of a salad and jam. You eat it with the jam to cut through the heaviness of the foie gras but honestly it was a little too much to stomach. Not used to heavy things like that haha I had the fish and I loved it :) Their beef dishes are also on point. Didn't care too much about the cheese plate but the dessert was very yummy. read more

This two-hour cruise was the first I've done on the Seine, so I can't compare to other cruises. During the summer it starts during daylight as you cruise up river for a while, watching the buildings, bridges, and many people who've come to picnic on the banks. As it gets darker, you see the sights light up. Near the end you get a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower in its glittering glory and the Statue of Liberty at Pont de Grenelle. With sights like this it would be easy for them to get by with mediocre food, but that too was worthy. Our party got the less-expensive menu but none of us felt like we were missing anything and it didn't seem worth the nearly 40 euro additional per person for the more expensive menu. They ask for a 30 euro deposit per person when making the reservation, and it required a phone call to give them the credit card number. Service was very good, our waiter struggled with English a bit but always managed to fill every request. Because of the timing of the cruise, one of our party didn't get a lot of time to drink the cappuccino they requested after dessert. I'd suggest heading to a cafe after the cruise instead. To me it was a good sign that many of the other diners appeared to be French natives, it tells you they think it's worth the money and not simply a tourist trap. It's a sure-fire way to create a romantic atmosphere if you're there with a loved one. There is no tour guide narration, but I was happy to let the sights speak for themselves. read more

Came here for dinner with an amazing view. First things first you have to submit a request in order to be able to get on the boat. Once they see if they have any openings they email you saying yes or no. Then you have to call and make a deposit of at least 30 euros per person. Then you show up, thanks to their thorough explanation of what to put on Uber I was able to be dropped off in the right location. You are then greeted and they make sure who you are and that you're on their list. Then taken to a table where the table is set beautifully with fresh flowers, candle light and the menu and drink menus. They welcome you with some small cheese breads and a glass of champagne. The food menu has two sides 68 euro side and the 108 euro. The 108 side has more options and nicer options. But we opted for the 68 euros menu. For appetizer I choose the salad with smoked duck breast and my boyfriend got the smoked salmon. Both were very good highly recommend you get out of your comfort zone and embrace the Parisian foods. As for the main entree I ordered the rump steak and my boyfriend ordered the sea bass. Both had good flavor. The roasted vegetables were seasoned well as well as the potatoes. As for dessert we couldn't say no to some yummy créeme brûlée's. I highly recommend you try to make it a dinner cruise though it can be pricey but the experience is well worth it. Highly recommend this experience you can also see the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, notre dam which is nice they don't speak about the landmarks you just see them as you go along. I think they strategically start the tour on the opposite side of the Eiffel Tower so you can see it light up at 2200 (10 PM) please go this is an experience you can't get anywhere else. read more

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made a reservation on the website they say you have to call them within 1-2 days to confirm and make a phone deposit. so i call them, no answer, i left a message as they instructed. next day, i call them again, then the guy says he can't help me because they're getting ready to leave. the website says to call them before 7pm their time, i called them like 4pm their time! then i get an email saying they cancelled my reservation because i never called them. HA! if making reservations are such an inconvenience for them, i think i'd be best to steer clear of being served dinner by them. read more

Worth every penny. Touristy yes but doesn't matter. Top notch service with great food at different price points. We celebrated a birthday and it was epic. highly recommend if you are in paris and want to celebrate a special occasion under the paris stars. read more

Le Calife - French Near Me - Paris, 75

I wanted a cozy, romantic night out in Paris with my husband and this dinner boat was perfect. Views and service were spectacular. The menus are thoughtfully crafted and the wine was good. Many classic Very French things you'd want from this kind of meal (gougères, foie gras, good cheese and chocolate, Calvados, good mustard, salt from Guerande, etc etc etc), but also some experimental and healthy options for those so inclined. A unique experience, and so very reasonably priced. Reserve online, and then call them to confirm...just follow the instructions in the reservation email, it's not hard. Don't worry about micromanaging your table location per previous reviews, it's a small boat on a small river with big windows all around, you'll be fine. The boat does a loop, so both sides of the table will enjoy views/photo ops of both banks. We sat on the top deck, bottom level had ambience and also would have been fine. Paris at night is a must, every time, and this is a wonderfully relaxing way to enjoy the City of Lights with her dazzling jewels on display. read more

Romantic sail down the Seine We had a wonderful dinner on this cruise that sailed down the Seine River at night. When we arrived at the Eiffel Tower, the lights were just sparkling everywhere. So cool. We chose this venue as the reviews were really good and it did not disappoint. There was no problem making the reservation online and when we arrived they had our name on the list. Everyone was professional and courteous and the food was pretty good. We received a glass of champagne on arrival and ordered a bottle of wine for the dinner. When it was time for dessert, they brought ours with a sparkler in it as we mentioned it was our anniversary when we made the reservation. This was the perfect way for my husband to see some of Paris as we were only there for 2 nights and he was stuck in business meetings for the whole day we were there. read more

This was such a classy way to celebrate a birthday in Paris. A beautiful small renovated barge is moored on the Left Bank of the Seine River, opposite the Louvre, under the pedestrian bridge at Pont Des Arts. You are welcomed aboard between 7:45-8:15 with champagne and fabulous gougeres (by the way I want that recipe!!!) During the cocktail hour, your dinner orders are taken and the boat set sail at 8:50. Great music on the boat, the waiters and manager where all very gracious, kind, and hospitable. The food was amazing and the sights of Paris where of course magnifique! You must call to make a reservation. A €30 deposit (Visa and MasterCard only) is taken over the phone which is taken off your bill at the end of the evening. I sat on the top deck and the top was rolled back to enjoy the beautiful evening. 33-143545004 10:30-7 7 days a week fir reservations or pay the deposit on the boat if you are in Paris. Info@calife.com www.calife.com read more

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This restaurant cruise will make you feel very welcome and I will start by recommending to book your dinner as soon as possible. They are that good. They offer two menus and both are very good. The ambience is very nice and serene. The staff is very polite and detail oriented. You'll not be disappointed. The cruise lasts only two hours, yes I say only because time will fly and you'll want a bit more. But I guess that's the way it goes. Bring your camera as you'll have the opportunity to take some breathtaking pictures of the Eiffel Tower! read more

After researching reviews, Le Caliphe received the strongest recommendations. The reviews were right. We called on the day of the cruise to make a reservation, definitely a mistake. Informed that they were fully booked, we still left our phone number indicating we could adjust our schedule should the have a cancellation. They called us back three hours later to our surprise. The boat is a charming wooden vessel of modest size creating an intimate dining cruise atmosphere. We were blessed with an exquisite late June evening. The four course dinner was generously paced over the three hours. The appetizers were tasty, especially the champignons in a puff pastry. The turbot served with a delectable orange sauce stood out among our entrees. Our party of four each ordered a different dessert with tiramisu being the only disappointment of the entire dining experience. The service was friendly and comfortable speaking capable English. The cruise itself was simply magical with the views of Paris at twilight a lifetime memory. Although a dinner cruise is considered a "must do" for a stay in Paris this night exceeded my expectations for a romantic and unforgettable evening. read more

My friend had a Seine river boat dinner on the Paris list of things to do. I was not into it so much, but I followed the suggestion of yelpers and we went on a dinner cruise which was lovely. I'm hard to please and truly dislike trite, touristy things in general, but this was fun! We had a table downstairs by the bar which was nice because of the wood and windows, it seemed like a bit of a throwback. The service was attentive and friendly, the food was good too! You get a choice of the regular menu and the gourmet menu (I think the prices were 84 or 108 euro). I had a guinea fowl which was like a good sized chicken leg (tender, juicy, ample), the philo veggie appetizer was good, in fact it was all yummy in a comfort food sort of way. The pacing of the different courses was very good (more American timing than French) and by the time I had the apple/caramel dessert I was STUFFED. We went up and down the Seine a few times and when we went by the Eiffel Tower every one was taking pictures. When we went by a second time and the tower was flickering/sparkling I heard a collective gasp. We did the dinner cruise on my friend's last night here (I get to stay a bit longer yay!) and though we'd see the Lourve, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower already, it was fun to see it again. If you must do a dinner cruise, do this one. 5/5 for dinner cruises (though not quite a 5/5 for restaurants). read more

We booked dinner at Le Calife for our last night in Paris. I'm so glad we did! The boat traveled slowly down the Seine and showed up at the Eiffel Tower right when the light show started. The food was also delicious! I had the foie gras starter and the duck with honey and balsamic as my entree. It was the best duck I had in Paris! I had expected seared foie gras (as I had become accustomed to in Paris), but theirs was a terrine. Still delicious! The service was attentive, and I was glad we were one of the first people on board who had ordered - so we received our food first! The service staff also spoke really great English, which was a welcomed surprise. Definitely something I would recommend to other couples looking for a romantic dinner! read more

LONG REVIEW ALERT: If you just want the basics here they are: This is an awesome cruise with delicious, beautiful food. very romantic, the service was great and they offered a very affordable menu option that was cheaper than most others I have researched and with better food quality. Book online but you must call and pay 30 euro per person with a credit card over the phone to hold your spot (Skype was the cheapest/easiest way to do this). You pay for the rest after you have finished your meal, just like you would at a regular restaurant. I researched a lot of Seine dinner cruises before going with Le Calife. Don't let the 4-euro sign on Yelp fool you; they have two dinner options and the price of their cheaper one is way cheaper than most other dinner cruises that I researched. many of these are similarly priced, Le Calife seemed to offer the best service on board and the best food for the price. When you go to the company's website you can choose the British flag icon at the top left to view it in English. There are options for lunch or dinner and I will be covering dinner. There are two meal options as of 9/30/17 - 67 euro or 108 euro (my keyboard isn't currently offering me a euro sign or else I'd use it). The difference is that on the more expensive menu you have more and better options for your starter, main course and desert. Both come with a glass of champagne and an appetizer (cheese puffs). We chose the cheaper menu because I didn't feel the need to pay more for the better options, but please refer to their website for the full menus. The amount of food appears to be the same. BOOKING: When you book, you can book online and receive a confirmation email. In order to ACTUALLY reserve your seats, however, you must call or show up in person to pay a deposit of 30 euro per person. Obviously we had to call because we were coming from the US and didn't want to miss our spots. If you have to call anyhow, I would just call them and do the whole thing at once. I used Skype to call; you load up your account with money (I think the smallest is $4.99) and then calls to France from the US are 2 cents per minute!! Very easy. I just called their number and after saying "Bonjour!" I asked in English if they spoke English. I had to call twice because of a credit card issue but both times I got someone who spoke English. I believe this is a pretty touristy company so I'm sure everyone you encounter will speak English. (You pay for the rest of your meal (plus any drinks you may order) at the end as you would at a regular restaurant.) You should receive a confirmation email with information. I did not so I had to email/Yelp the company and they got it over to me. Also when we booked they asked if it was for a special occasion, which it was: our honeymoon. ARRIVING: Very easy to get to following their instructions. We were welcomed on board by the owner who recognized my name from my emails/Yelp contact. You board between 7:45 and 8:15 PM but the boat doesn't leave until about 8:50. We arrived around 8:05 pm, were seated up top (There is a bottom deck and a top, but views from both are the same) and served our champagne and cheese puffs. You are seated on small tables close together, one side is a booth and the other a chair. There was plenty of space though and I didn't feel crowded. FOOD: Menus were on the table with descriptions of food (you can see pics of most items on their website), they included both price points so we just told the waiter which we were choosing and ordered our items off of that when it was time. There was also a drink menu. The drinks were pricy but I expected as much on a fancy dining cruise. They had one beer option (Heineken) but I should hope by now that if you've been researching a trip to Paris you realize your beer choices (or anything other than wine or champagne) are going to be limited. YOU CAN ORDER TAP WATER. I didn't think we could since it was a boat so I asked for flat water and we received a 5 euro glass bottle of Evian... But I saw other people with a carafe of water that was probably free. The food was really good. The only reason I'm giving my review 4/5 stars is because I have had better steak, less chewy steak. Everything was beautifully presented and DELICIOUS. Dale (husband) and I got all different foods and shared. I'm running out of space and boring you by now so please check my food pics for descriptions. We were really really full. When they brought out our deserts, each of them had a sparkler since it was our honeymoon, which made me feel really special and it was sweet. While you're eating, don't forget to look up at the sites! SIGHTS: The two big sites are Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, and the tour is timed to see the Eiffel sparkle at 10pm. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. Very romantic, plenty of time for pics inside and on the small deck. I mean this alone was worth it. We arrived back on the dock around 11pm. Do yourself a favor and book this cruise today. read more

First time having a dinner cruise in Paris. The service from the greeting as we stepped on the boat, to when they started food service was excellent. The terrace seating area was fully booked and so we were sat below deck. I actually found it better since there were less tables, felt more intimate and still were able to get views along the Seine river. We went upstairs to the outside and were able to get fanstic views of the Eifel Tower light show at night. Overall, if you are in the area, I'd highly recommend coming to Le Calife for a nice dinner cruise. read more