58 Tour Eiffel restaurant at the Eiffel Tower
Who could not imagine visiting the Eiffel Tower when on holiday in Paris and even being able to enjoy a meal while exploring this iconic landmark and with this in mind you have the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant.
Even if you cannot afford to splash out at the Jules Verne restaurant, the 58 Tour Eiffel is a chic brasserie style restaurant in Paris that is located on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and has completely different themes from during the day time lunches to the evening meals.
A bit of history prior to 58 Tour Eiffel
Originally, when the Eiffel Tower first opened back in 1889 there were actually four restaurants located on the first floor with the kitchens located underneath the restaurants powered by gas lighting.
However, for the 1937 international exposition these four restaurants at the Eiffel Tower were demolished and only two were then built and then, in the 1980’s when the Eiffel Tower underwent some major renovations, these were redone yet again and then called La Belle France and Le Parisien, these were classed as restaurants in Paris that were not to be missed.
But things changed yet again, when these two restaurants were merged into one large brasserie that was designed by Slavik and Loup with a theme of hot air balloons. It was called the Altitude 95, which was quite an apt name as it was located 95 metres above sea level.
This brasserie at the Eiffel Tower then took on another new look when it was completely renovated yet again and it opened its doors in 2009 with the new chic styling and a new name of 58 Tour Eiffel after the re-design by Patrick Jouin who also oversaw the interior design of the Jules Verne restaurant.
About the 58 Tour Eiffel
With cuisine that has been designed by the chef Alain Soulard, who has worked with Alain Ducasse at the Jules Verne and other restaurants, but specialising in producing top quality French cuisine for seminars and functions, meaning the 58 Tour Eiffel has multicultural food to suite all tastes.
So, during the day there is a non stop service for the chic picnic style lunches from 11.30am through to 4.30pm with the last orders for a main course being at 3.45pm and these are served to you at the counter in a basket to carry to your table and continue the theme of the picnic style lunch.
However, of an evening the 58 Tour Eiffel completely changes and takes on a new look with its contemporary décor, soft lighting and minimalistic furniture that has been designed by Patrick Jouin with the idea of felling the luxury of the surroundings without taking away from the unique views.
On arrival You will be greeted by a hostess and shown to your table to enjoy an evening high above the city in this famous Paris monument, where you can enjoy chic yet classic French cuisine that is served to you at your table.
There are two different sittings for an evening at the 58 Tour Eiffel and these are either 6.30pm or 9pm, but please bear in mind that you do have to book a table to enjoy an evening here.
Dining and cuisine at the 58 Tour Eiffel
This chic brasserie serves a picnic style lunch menu with either two courses that can be a starter and main course or main course and dessert or a three course option and these are served at the counter.
You have a choice of dishes from the menu and these can include such delights as Caesar salad, parmesan and caper berry starter, seared bonito tuna, mashed potatoes and sauce vierge or roasted poultry risotto and cream of mushrooms main course along with desserts like the Crousti Eiffel cake with praline and chocolate. Plus there is a dedicated childrens menu for those under the age of 12.
For the picnic style lunch you do not have to book and prices start from €19 per person, but you will need to have purchased a ticket to the Eiffel Tower in order to access the restaurant. Yet if you do not want to go to this level, then there are buffets available for sandwiches and quick snacks that can be found at different spots around the Eiffel Tower.
When it comes to the evening, this is where you do have to book a table and there are different menu options that range in price and start from €70 per person for a choice of starter, main course and dessert with a glass of champagne, which is known as the opera menu.
Obviously, the menus do change on a regular basis, just like most restaurants in Paris, however, at the 58 Tour Eiffel as an example you could experience delicious French cuisine like seared tiger prawn, avocado, soya and sesame dressing or duck foie gras, red onions marmalade, honey and balsamic for starters. Then the main courses could be delights such as seared salmon fillet, carrots and green peas with white butter sauce or oven roasted leg of lamb, Anna potatoes, artichokes and real jus (juices).
If you want to splash out for a special occasion such as a wedding anniversary while you are family holiday in Paris, then you could opt for the Service Premier, which is available at the 9pm sitting and provides privileged seating in the main dining room. Or, for a little extra again and you can also book to have window seating with a view of the Trocadero.
The Service Premier provides you with a tasting menu that includes an aperitif, starter, 2 main courses, dessert, mignardises (bite size desserts), wine, mineral water and coffee and as of 2012 this is a cost of €135 per person or €155 per person with window seating.
Also, there are childrens menus available at a greatly reduced cost for those under the age of 12, which start from €19 and if you opt for the Service Premier, then there is also a childrens menu available that even includes a chocolate cake in the shape of the Eiffel Tower so that can also enjoy the experience to its fullest.
However, we would like to point out that you still have to purchase tickets to ascend the Eiffel Tower in order to access the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant, even for an evening meal that you have booked and bookings can be made online at the official Eiffel Tower website.
