I recognize its reputation But, honestly, last months meal there, acknowledging the price, may be the best meal and certainly the best chicken, I've ever had read more

If you can get a table, definitely go. Old school vibe, good service Chicken was the recommended dish but really enjoyed the side dishes of mushrooms and crispy baked potato the most, as well as the foie gras and green salad. read more

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Quintessential old school Parisian bistro dining. Another reviewer wrote that it, "feels like you are going back to the 19th century" and I couldn't agree more. The food is not for the faint of heart. Be prepared for butter, decadence, and large portions. We ordered a healthy sample of the menu amongst our table and everything was absolutely delicious. Roast pigeon, Roast chicken (both presented whole before taken back to be carved) Foi Gras piled to the ceiling, a bramble of frits, and so much more. Service was prompt and friendly. They were so kind to accommodate our large group, but it is worth mentioining that the interior is tight. 4 tops or less is ideal. This restaurant is a famous haunt for other fine dining chefs in Paris, and I think that alone speaks volumes to their quality. Come for the beautiful rich food, and stay for the time warp. read more

L'Ami Louis - French Near Me - Paris, 75

This would be my last meal, the roasted chicken and foigras with the fire toasted bread is perfection. I dream of returning to this restaurant. read more

Was in Paris for a short trip, this restaurant had some great reviews, some not so. Very central located in the 3rd arrondissment. It was kind of a joke to attempt this bistro. Overall, there are others on the list to try. Food was 2.5/5 Service 4/5 read more

L'Ami Louis - French Near Me - Paris, 75

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Not easy to get there with the traffic , food is very copious ,service is of course professional, you ave a huge selection of wine , it's tiny and old style don't forget to bring an appetite as it's nothing light here with the traditional old French cooking ! read more

It is what it is. Touristy, expensive & the wait staff has an attitude. But it continues to be amazing food. Everyone should dine here once before you die & then you can decide if it's your vibe or not. We've probably been 5-6 times. No need to go every trip but it's classic Paris. read more

One of the best meals I have ever had in my life. Roast chicken, Scallops and those French fries!Shear perfection!

We were very excited to try this restaurant as we heard some wonderful things from a few friends. It is a very cute, although somewhat rundown, setting, but that added to the charm and the servers were attentive and friendly. However, the food was very disappointing, especially given the outrageous prices. We were prepared to spend a lot of money but $30 for a salad that basically was an over dressed head of lettuce and $90+ for a chicken (with fries) that was not special at all was insulting. I make better chicken and have had more flavorful chicken from local places. So, all in all, I would not recommend nor return to this restaurant. read more

Everything about dining at L'Ami Louis is OVER THE TOP!!! This old line bistro is one place you want to enjoy in Paris. The food, the service the extensive wine cellar - every sense is satisfied! They cook everything on a woodfired stove. Hard to believe all of that delicious food is prepared the old timey way. Do not miss this unique experience! read more

L'Ami Louis - Enjoying an amazing dining experience! - French Near Me - Paris, 75

Great food ! Lots of Salt !! A bit overrated, but what isn't these days, very very expensive and for sure a lot of attitude ... whats new !! Well, not sure worth the price. read more

Outstanding in every way!! Service, food, ambiance was impeccable!!! Highly recommend if you can get a table. It's a favorite among US presidents and VIPs, so book early!!! read more

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L'Ami Louis is one of the 2 best restaurants i've been to. I have eaten all over the world. However, it is not for Wussies, Cowards or Weaklings! There will be butter. You will sweat, and eat way too much. You will spend too much money on the vintage wine list. Well priced wines. i walked out before desert and the waiter followed me told me it was coming. I waved him off and tried to walk a bit. Dress is loose garments that give the belly room to expand. Bring folks who can eat. Be ready to throw down! This is first team varsity eating. Peace. read more

The food. The service. The portions. The escargot. All amazing. Fun place. Interesting crowd read more

The first time I came here was in 1982 when Louis Magnin was at the helm. He presented us our chicken, holding it by the legs. I could barely finish the escargots when the chicken and the frites arrived. Everything was abundant and delicious. The waitstaff was aloof but attentive, probably because we ordered a very good wine. Don't even think about using the toilet, which is down rickety steps into the fetid basement. Deparing this location is impossible, unless the staff orders you a taxi. I have returned several times, out of nostalgia. Each subsequent experience has been in inverse proportion to the cost. read more

Plain and simple, one of the best dining experiences of my life. The food, service, quality and attention to detail were on another level. I would eat here every meal in Paris if I could.., yes, it's that effing good! No idea how anyone could hate on this place. read more

One of my favorite restaurants in the world. The portions are huge, the food cooked superbly, fresh ingredients, with local passion. The servers take pride in their job, once they warm up to you, you feel like family. They can seem arrogant, but I promise, they will go out of their way to make sure you have a great meal. I recommend the Salad, that's all it's called is "the Salad".. It's fresh, lightly dressed, and tasty. I love the escargot, my hubby likes the Foi Gras, we both like the frogs legs, when available. The lamb chops are superb, and the chicken can be delicious, just ask them to not over cook it.. I always think restaurants over cook chicken though.. The mixed fruit platter is also ALWAYS amazing and delicious, with a huge variety of fresh fruits. The chocolate cake, not to be missed. I hope you visit, and enjoy. Make a reservation! read more

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Walked in after searching for a dinner place and was seeing the great reviews. Nowhere on the website or on yelp did it mention a reservation. They denied us seating saying "we're full" and very clearly had tables available in the dining area. read more

Rarely do I get the opportunity to go to a restaurant that has it's own wikipedia page... Let me tell you this, if you somehow manage to get a reservation, MAKE SURE YOU CONFIRM IT because if you don't they will not seat you. Do they not like Americans? Lies... I went two nights in a row and the place was poppin off with Americans & everyone was being treated with the utmost respect. If you expect amazing service with a smile, don't go to France.... This is my dad's favorite restaurant in Paris and we went with 6 people and he ordered family style for the table. We started off with the Foie Gras and the escargot. The Foie Gras is extremely decadent, pro tip: it's refrigerated so wait like five minutes before lathering it onto your deliciously toasty french baguette that they give you endless amounts of. The escargot are amazing! I had never tried it before and to me it just tasted like a mushroom with the best sauce of all time. I was mostly in it for the sauce if i'm being real. For our mains my dad ordered the veal in cream sauce, cote de beouf (sp?) and the famous chicken. I was shook when all the food came because we legit did not have enough room on the table for it all. Everything was f-ing ICONIC but the most amazing dish in my opinion was the veal. When we went back the second night, something I would not recommend, I got the veal again it was that good. The cote de beouf was also amazing but fair warning, it comes out extremely rare, see pics. The chicken was not the best chicken I've ever had but that's because I make an amazing chicken at home, if you're a chicken lover you will not be disappointed. For dessert we got the seasonal berries with tableside whipped cream, an absolute treat. Also, we finished four bottles of wine and had some armanac sooo it's safe to say this was one of the most epic dining experiences of my life. Was surrounded by family and the best of friends. Loved my experience and Louis himself gave me A BIG FAT KISS on my way out... how's that for not liking Americans? read more

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I was brousing through some of the reviews of this place on TripAdvisor and there seems to be two schools of thought; one is that it's an overpriced place for tourists, and the other is that it's one of the best bistros in Paris. I'm in the school of the latter. It's small (Reservations are a must. Try to book well in advance) and wood paneled with an ancient oven and a sick, phone book sized, wine list. The food is fantastic. It's very expensive. The experience is amazing. The staff are a bit offhand, but very professional. I love how they almost parade around the room with the food. Did I say the food is fantastic? Well it is. After all, isn't that the reason for going to a restaurant in Paris? read more

L'Ami Louis - French Near Me - Paris, 75

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American prejudice? Hatred? Say it isn't true! Just awful. Sad. Heartbreaking. I have sent so many people here over the years as well. My radio show has long promoted the lost charms of this place. This has long been considered THE bistro of Paris. Owned by Alain Ducasse the celebrity chef. Does he sanction this sort of behavior from his staff? In fact it was Alain Ducasse at Hotel Plaza Athenee that made our reservation to begin with. I am actually an American that loves the French people and loves France. I am quiet and low-key in these places. Very much unlike my radio Personna. My fellow Americans - STAY AWAY!!! (And if you believe I am just some rube stumbling about Paris ,like Frankenstein's monster stomping about the village, please see the other places where I have gone and been treated like a human being.) We were obviously served half portions of everything we ordered. Yes the prices ARE high (over 100$ for one chicken served to two people) but that's not the rub. They were obviously trying to make us KNOW Americans are not welcome here. (Note: I put up video of the rudest offender in the pictures here. You'll see him pouring wine. And I do believe 1 roly-poly chubby little waiter WAS Embarrassed by his fellow waitstaff.) read more

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L'Ami Louis is absolutely, completely, above and beyond worth the hype - a truly Parisian experience for those who love food. Went for dinner with a girlfriend on a summer night when we could only get a very late night reservation - I think 10pm. We started with Kir royales and foie gras. The staff ensures that you have a never ending supply of warm, toasted baguette, which really makes the foie gras shine. I'm not much of a pate person so this made a huge difference. Naturally we had the roast chicken, washed down with a good deal of white wine. Since there were only 2 of us, we had a good deal of food left over by the end of the night - this may be the only place in Paris that will wrap up your food to go, thankfully! (Be sure to request it). We shut down the place and ended up getting to know our lovely waiter at the end of the evening, who called us a cab home. Would have happily stayed there forever! read more

totally revolting. from the over buttered bread to the fatty foie gras, to the contaminated snails, to the. chicken served with canned gravy. the meal induced nausea and explosive digestive results that took me 12 hours to recover. this is a health hazard. . read more

This was my worst restaurant experience of the year. I absolutely wanted to love this restaurant. Let me start out by saying that I did read the famous review which called it 'the worst restaurant in the world'. I didn't want to believe that review ... maybe the author had a grudge to bear, a bad night or whatever. However, I am in agreement with almost 100% of that review. Restaurants don't get much worse than this. I will admit that I was suckered in by the exclusivity of the restaurant ... it's hard to get a reservation here for dinner. Even lunch is a hard one to score though they have added tables beyond the original 12. Our concierge at a 5 star hotel in Paris begged us to reconsider and let him recommend a better restaurant when I asked him to make the reservation for dinner. 'Just because I can get you this reservation, doesn't mean that I should. This restaurant is for the tourists!', he said. Why didn't I listen? The wait staff treat you with the same amount of distain they would if they found you fingering their cat. To say they are arrogant and rude is an understatement ... the best you could hope for is to be utterly ignored by the staff. There is one very heavy waiter who slithers around the dining room looking for people to belittle. You'd really have to go out of your way to be as rude as he is to fellow human beings. My guess is that he feels so badly about himself he has to put others down in order to attempt to make them feel as badly about themselves as he does his own self. By exerting this control and rule over others, he is attempting to use the power he has in l'ami louis to mask the power he does not have to feel happy with himself. Classic psychological displacement of negativity but a restaurant where people go to escape and have fun is not the place to do this. If you run into this creature, he will make sure that your dining experience is a bad one. At first I was angry at him ... now I just feel sad for him.The rest of the staff bring you food, slap it down in front of you and don't make eye contact, tell you to enjoy or acknowledge your existence (until the check comes ...) which us almost equally as bad. First of all, the restaurant inside lacks any of the romance you'd expect. Several pendent lights are on full blast at all times which makes it feel like a tiny, dirty gymnasium ... add to the fact that the floodlights from the sign outside shine through the window like a spotlight, so inside it feels like daylight, even at 9 or 10 p.m. There are little wine bottles with candles on the table which are never lit ... they are just props. The fact that it looks like your uncle and aunt's cluttered garage in the back of the restaurant also is quite unsettling. You expect to see forgotten 1950's woven strip beach chairs and an old Sears and Robuck green metal push mower in the corner along with some spider webs. There is vintage chic decor and there is an episode of hoarders and Chez l'ami resembles more of the latter. The food is absolutely average. The famous $120 chicken tastes as though it has been soaking in liquid chicken fat for a few hours. The skin is soggy and not crisp and it tastes like chicken broth more than it does chicken. It comes to the table carved as a breast followed by a leg ... not sure where all the other pieces go. The $35 green salad is a chopped head of lettuce in a clear bowl which is wet with some oil and vinegar. The Escargot are perfectly good and worth their $48 price. For dessert, a carton of 4 euro raspberries from a fruit stand is overturned onto a plate and a scoop of fresh whipped cream is slapped on ... for $32. I am not one to complain about prices for a meal that is great ... but to pay $350 for average food in a dump and be treated like an outcast is just piss poor. Know that you will have average food at prices 3-4 times what even fine dining would cost you in most metropolitan cities. My night in Paris was ruined by this restaurant at the cost of $350. You might go and have a better experience ... but what if you don't? Is it worth the gamble to ignore what basically everyone says about this restaurant? Your choice ... This is more than anything a private club where outsiders are barely tolerated. Maybe the high prices visitors pay subsidize lower costs of the regulars ... or the high prices take the place of dues at a country club. The regulars are seated near the kitchen in one section which the waiters are happy and convivial. The front of the restaurant is where the pesky outsiders are placed, perhaps paying the price for making the fat waiters have to walk an extra few steps outside of their fun zone and into the annex. To be a stranger and an outsider in a private club is how one who has never stepped into l'Ami Louis will feel on a visit. Forget about being welcome. read more

A Parisian old school restaurant. One feels like you are going back to the 19th century! The service, the food and atmosphere are fabulous! Highly recommend the chateaubriand and the green salad. read more

No trip to Paris Is complete without a meal at l'ami Louis. Dam the high prices. It's the price one pays to check off a bucket list item.

Not sure how anyone could not love this place, maybe there is a movement to keep this place off the American tourist radar. the price is high but the portion size and quality is God-like. The service was friendly and informative. Our server guided us thru the wine list and picked two perfect wines for us. Had the Veal chop w/ mushrooms, escargot and fries... unbelievable. My wife said this was the best food she's ever had. One of the best and most special dining experiences of our lives. Total tab, €400 and worth every penny. Other items that looked outstanding: the whole chicken and the steak for two. read more

I was blown away from this experience. Definitely need to call for reservations in advance. There are only about twelve tables which makes for a very intimate dining experience. Everything we had was so good! We started with amazing escargot and delicious fresh complimentary bread. I had a veal chop which was SO GOOD. My husband had duck confit and was also really impressed. The complimentary frites were delicious and more than enough to share. My husbands meal came with the infamous potato pancake which was super unique and we couldn't stop eating it! For dessert I had a huge chocolate cake and although I couldn't eat it all, it was one of the best desserts I've had. I did not think Louis was overrated or unreasonably expensive compared to the quality of food, service, and the unique experience. If you're feeling like a splurge meal, I recommend thin place hands down! read more

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Again with the need for another star. This place was something my wife found. Booked. I love her so. It's tiny, hidden away in an even tinier alley, and I now know why one must reserve for this place. It's beyond the best. Not hoighty, but wiley, personable, charming and without negative. The wine list is a phone book sized affair. It was worth reading. We found everything we wanted and more. My first car cost less than the most expensive wine in there, yet a two-digit bottle was exquisite. The food was so good. We got several dishes, and this chicken dish, a simple roast chicken, is still the best chicken I've ever tasted. Looked like a simple roast chicken. Tasted like I didn't deserve to have it. Seriously. All with them being casual without being too forward, funny without being overboard, campy (marching out a large set of meals to a giant table celebrating a 77th birthday for a patron of over 50 years) without being silly. It's just not like anything I've ever experienced, and I want it again. Very strongly do I want it again. read more

Warm welcome, friendly faces, roast chicken, simple salad with perfect vinaigrette, a bottle of red wine. It is simple perfection.

Most amazing roast chicken ever. Love the salad, fries and escargot. Price is high but it is the most amazing simple and easy meal ever. No fuss and just great quality food. Service is good and very attentive. It's truly a gem in this beautiful city read more

L'Ami Louis - Roast chicken - French Near Me - Paris, 75

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Great service and food! Make a reservation. It gets packed. You order, they cook and bring out the meal and show it to you. Then they plate it. It's a Parisian institution written up in A Year in Provence, a great read! Bustling with great people watching while you wait for a feast to arrive. Service was top-notch. As soon as we were slowing down and finishing our dish, they came with seconds. At the end, we asked for a cab, check, and for the unfinished bottle of red to be corked. All were done but what was really really nice was that on ou way out to the taxi, we run into one of the staff who had gone to a store nearby to get a wooden bottle holder for our wine! it was SO sweet because we had already paid and they really didn't have to! it was just the icing on the cake. read more

L'Ami Louis will go down as one of the best dining experiences of my lifetime. You simply must eat here if you're in Paris. I do not understand any of the negative reviews for this place whatsoever. If you can't afford to eat here, that's your problem - not the restaurants. I can't imagine anyone receives less than stellar service here without it being in response to some kind of abhorrent behavior. The duck confit was the best I've ever had, period. The presentation was simple, but the dish blew me away. The escargot and potatoes were also amazing. You absolutely must experience this place if you're passionate about food. read more

Best restaurant I've been in my entire life. Fois grass is a must. Wine list to die for. Decor very authentic. read more

The best restaurant concept I ever seen Don't let be fool by they're short menu and high pricing You will find everything on the menu be: extremely good quality and serve in generous portion.. They're wine list is gigantic and one of a kind ! Composed exclusively of high end French wines I love: the pata negra appetizer, lamb shop and of course: Le poulet ( can be share by 2) Btw the foie gras is exceptional You need to try it to understand it! read more

For rustic French food, this is the BEST!! The restaurant only has about 8 tables and is an extraordinarily difficult reservation to garner. Like it's AWESOME food, the decor is is rustic. Starting with the fois gras, followed by the frog's legs, I typically then have rib of beef..which is so flavorful, it renders the USDA Prime equivalent as mere junk. My wife loves the chicken which is exceptional. If you can manage it, the tarte tartin with crème fresh is beyond amazing... This restaurant is a MUST. KRD NY read more

This has been the most expensive disappointing meal in my life. Ruined my night. Wanted to have the true French bistro experience and got suckered. My biker friends prime rib had better flavor than the undercooked piece of garbage that was laid on my plate( we asked for medium btw). I've paid a high price for a meal many a time, but this is the only time I've walked out pissed. You spend that kind of money you should walk out satisfied. They didn't ask us once how it was. Pure arrogance. Poor service. F@#$ THIS PLACE. read more

Over priced, bad attitude, very normal taste. Overhyped because celebrities go to this spot, but I'm sorry, I don't need to "merci" you when I came to ask for a reservation the night before, call again the day of to confirm for 7:30, then show up at 7:30 for you to rudely say my reservation is at 10:00 pm, then you rudely asking me to thank you for "fitting" me into your empty restaurant as if I'm an inconvenience. Ps, if I need to add salt and pepper to your food to add some flavor to it, you definitely don't know what you're doing. And while the food looks delicious, it is mediocre at best. Very, very cute atmosphere and neighborhood. Lovely to take photos and say you've eaten where celebrities go also - although it's all just hype. Next! read more

One of my favorite spots in the world, the food is unbelievable and the service makes you feel at home. Cannot stress more on how tasty the foie gras is, chicken and potatoes are to Dow for. read more

I'll start by saying we went in 100% knowing it was egregiously overpriced, but we figured it would be special; wow what an expensive disappointment. We LOVE spending a lot of money on good food, so this isn't a typical "overpriced" review you'll see on here; this is a overall bad quality and terrible value review. We spent over 100€ on a chicken that was slightly better than average. Yes, it was juicy throughout, but you can spend $5 at your local Costco and get a better roasted chicken. It was bland, lacked flavor, and again, was definitely NOT worth the money or the hype. I understand it was cooked in a very old, very unique oven, but we were hoping for something special. We even ordered a special, off-the-menu potato dish that just ended up being roasted potatoes with some crushed garlic and parsley... for 35€. I was really hoping for a special, classic, unique Parisian meal, but man was it a massive disappointment. 1 star. read more