The TRUTH About Dining Beside the Louvre Pyramid in Paris

In this video we have lunch at Café Marly, the restaurant under the arcades of the Louvre facing the glass pyramid. We had avoided it for years because it looked gimmicky, so we went with an open mind to see whether this Café Marly review would end in a tourist-trap warning or a recommendation.

The setting

You can sit on the terrace below or upstairs under the stone archway, which stays cool and breezy even on a hot day. We got a table facing the pyramid and the statue of Louis XIV on horseback. These long wings were once apartments for people who lived with the king, which makes it a rare chance to eat inside a major historic site.

What we ordered

• Tuna and avocado tartare, fresh and a great match for champagne.
• Truffle ravioli in a light, creamy sauce with grated cheese on the side.
• Sea bass with rice, simple and elegant.
• Pavlova with crispy meringue, whipped cream and lots of fruit (the bees loved it too).

The menu is long and in English, with something for picky eaters, which is handy if someone in your group is nervous about French food.

Our verdict

It was not cheesy at all. We gave five stars for the food, the service and of course the setting. Our bill came to €187 for two when we filmed, with a glass of Veuve Clicquot at €21, and we added about 10% for the tip. Roughly €100 each is not an everyday lunch, but you are not at the Louvre every day, and for a splurge we think it is worth it.

Visiting the museum too? Read our complete Louvre guide and book your Louvre tickets in advance. For more restaurant ideas, see our guide to 125 Paris restaurants and our Paris Guide Bundle, or taste the city with a local on a Devour food tour.