This was my dad's favorite restaurant years ago so I really wanted to come back and relive the memories of coming here years ago with my dad. We started off with fois gras. We had an extra piece and had tons of bread left over. I asked for it to go with a few pieces of bread. At the end they refused to give me any bread to go with my $60 fouls gras. My husband ordered the most amazing veal, but the $80 steak I ordered was the toughest steak I have ever had. I could not eat it. I was polite about it and said it was tough they just didn't seem to care. To have a bad meal in Paris is sad. To have one at a restaurant that is supposed to be amazing is so disappointing. I had so many choices and blew it on this restaurant. I'll never be back! read more

This has become our favorite restaurant in Paris. The dishes, all classics, are perfectly executed; no skimping on butter, garlic and herbs. The escargots are enormous and delicious. The potatoes are the best I ever had and the roasted chicken exquisite. The servers are perfectly professional; friendly (not overly) and they all seem happy to be there and to accommodate you with a dash of humor. The ambiance is warmly old Paris with no obeisance to trendiness. We always have a wonderful time here; the only downside is that we eat so much that we need 24 hours before we can eat again. read more

I had a perfect meal- in 1990- that I obviously never forgot. Escargot, roasted squab and perfectly ripe fruit. I'm so happy to see you are still open! read more

The best sizzling Escargot you will ever eat & the sauce is worth dipping the French bread into! Everything from beginning to end was out of this world. The late, chicken, and mini strawberries (any fruit from the stand in the back) should not be missed. The restaurant is historic and small so make a reservation and enjoy one of the best culinary experiences in a warm, friendly and relaxed environment. read more

Contrary to the negative reviews, I have been coming here for 30 years and it is still one of my favorite places in Paris. The roast chicken is second to none as is the foie gras. The waiters are professional and actually a riot if you bother to be friendly. Most of them have worked there for a long time. Yes, it's tres cher, but worth every franc. Oops, I mean euro! read more

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Short version: worst and most expensive meal I had in Paris. L'ami louis must be French for "we hire asshats" I brought my girlfriend to Paris for her 30th B day. At the end of the trip we wanted to go out with a bang and eat somewhere that would really be memorable. At the begging of the week I called this restaurant and was lucky enough to hear that they could fit us in the last night we were in town. We showed up and they insisted we had not called and had no reservation or room for is (restaurant was empty and didn't even start to have other customers till 30 min later). After some talking and incredibly rude gestures from the waitstaff they sat us. Once seated the entire waitstaff treated us like second class citizens. Honestly it was like eating at a resrurant managed and filled with ex girlfriends. We barely got any attention (all smiles and laughter with anyone else)but instead got lots of attitude,cold stares and neglect. We ordered their roast chicken for 2. It was good, kind of dry and greasy and not what all the hype i heard (def not worth the 96 euro price tag). When it arrived they just plopped it down on the table and walked away. After that we didn't see another waiter till they brought the check - but we could see them interacting with other French ppl in the restaurant just fine but treat another American family similar although better. I WILL NEVER GO HERE AGAIN...unless I feel guilty and need to be punished for something. read more

We were told that we MUST go to L'ami Louis during our recent visit to Paris. We were told that we MUST book far in advance. We were told that we MUST get the foie gras and that the chicken was to die for. We did all of these things. While the foie gras was delicious and the chicken was indeed very good, I walked away disappointed. This Paris institution seems to be sitting on its laurels and seemed to make little effort during our dining experience. Yes, the food is expensive. We knew that going in, but I didn't feel that the food warranted the extravagant prices. The chicken for two (which is a whole chicken presented in quarters...truly enough for four) was a rather tasty bird, but we ate better chicken during the Paris trip at another restaurant that didn't have the cache of L'ami Louis and that other chicken didn't cost 90 euros. I have also had much better chicken in the US at Sydney's Taylor Made Cuisine in Westhampton Beach, NY...and theirs didn't cost 90 euros either. Louis makes a good roasted chicken, but that is all it is...roasted chicken. The foie gras at 60 euros was a very generous portion of three thick slabs and was delicious. It was the only item that seemed to warrant its price. The salad, which was a mesclun mix, was 30 euros. I think this was the most shocking of all. It was just a bowl of mixed greens, very similar to what I could buy at the grocery store, served in a glass mixing bowl with vinegar and oil dressing. It was unceremoniously plopped on the table and we were left to serve ourselves. We were also left to serve our own water and wine. The service was sufficient, but unremarkable. Our reservation was a 7:30. We were the only table in the restaurant for a few minutes and then the restaurant slowly began to fill up with other Americans. As we were leaving more Americans were heading in. This "institution" on French bistro cuisine seems to have become another tourist trap. If you have money to burn and care little for the value of a meal and want to brag to your friends back home that you ate the most expensive chicken of your life, I suggest you go to L'ami Louis. If you want an authentic French culinary experience I suggest you look elsewhere. I am saddened that this was my experience, because this restaurant had been spoken of incredibly highly by friends who visited Paris, granted their trip was over ten years prior. I wanted to go in there and have an amazing meal...a meal I would remember forever. It delivered a decent meal that I will remember for being underwhelming and not worth the hype. read more

Definitely lived up to the hype! Amazing bistro with great food and atmosphere. The escargot, roast chicken, french fries were all incredible. The toasted baguettes alone with wine could have sufficed for a spectacular meal. Loved the non-pretentious setting for classic comfort French food. Staff was friendly with dry humor which made me feel right at home. read more

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Beyond rude. Walked in and was "bulrushed " at the front door stating reservations? "We are booked". ....7:45 only 3 of 24 tables full.... no line outside. Sorry, don't believe that. If your an American anvisiting Paris and looking for a nice place to eat there are many others that will treat you better. This place needs to be added to a do not visit list for any one in Paris. read more

Among the best meals of my entire life. My wife and I went on a Tuesday night, arriving at 8pm to an empty restaurant. The place filled up by 9pm. The food and service were both excellent. On its reputation, we shared the foie gras to start and it was tasty, but portions were so large that in retrospect we might have gone for another appetizer to share. If you LOVE foie gras, then by all means, indulge in this generous serving amount. (The escargot served at the table next to us looked and smelled awesome!) For our entree we shared a roast chicken-- the taste will live on in our memories of this vacation forever-- the best tasting chicken I have ever eaten. We had an excellent bottle of Cotes du Rhone for around 65 Euro. For dessert I had an excellent chocolate nougat dish and she had seasonal fruit (small strawberries packed with loads of flavor) and whipped cream. The space is as I imagine an old classic family run bistro. The waiters are nicely dressed. The room can be a little loud compared to other high end restaurant experiences (the phone rings throughout the meal). For a shared starter/entree (the roast chicken serves 2 people easily), desserts, 2 bottles of more affordable wine, expect to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of 300-400 Euro. Some people dressed in dresses and suits, others were casual in jeans but still chic. Given the build-up and hype around Chez l'Ami, they met expectations that would have been impossible to surpass. Worth saving for months and budgeting to help make this happen. We are already talking about when we'll return to France to eat again at this amazing restaurant. Book two weeks ahead by phone and call to confirm your reservation in the early-mid afternoon the day of your meal. read more

This place is one of the famous place in Paris like the Parisian Place to be... I really don't understand this mythe. None french people will be there, the price is so expensive that for sure you will meet tourists or "american celebrities". The food is ok, the meat is incredible but the Foie Gras or Snails around 60/70€ it's like crazy who will pay that !? For snails or frogs where you can find them at less than 15€ and it's expensive ! The entrances are fat and oily or worth the simply melon at 45€... The service is Ok too, the old waiters are lovely and fun, this is not the case for the "young" employees. So for me (a parisian guy), I won't go there anymore: too fat, too expensive and the old bistro design is just too much. Just one time is enough ! read more

Stay away. My husband and I booked this weeks out and we were excited to try their "famous chicken". Our reservation was 730. We walked right in the door at that time and very quickly the main man told us he never had a reservation. I showed him an email from our hotel confirming it but he was having none of it and told us we would not be eating there tonight. The way in which this man spoke to me made me very uncomfortable. I felt incredibly disrespected and he spoke down to me in a way that no man should ever speak to a woman (or any person frankly). Please please do yourself a favor and find another great French bistro...at likely half the price. (La fountaine de mars is a great option that we ended dining at instead). This place is an awful tourist trap with a bad attitude that doesn't deserve your hard earned money. read more

This is the home of the $300 chicken. This is not a typo! So why have I given it 4 stars and a review? Well, it probably has the finest meat I have ever tasted. It is one of those crazy, once in a lifetime, do it with friends and share places that makes Europe memorable. Food is simply prepared.Service is polite, but typically french...they are booked way in advance and it's a small place.But charming. Just bring your Euros with you! read more

If you're a wine lover,this place has the biggest wine selection I've ever seen,seriously it's around 70 pages of different wines,amazing. Absolutely loved the old school French interior,and atmosphere,really cool,the place is very very small tho be aware of that. Food was good,but very greasy. read more

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Horrible place. Attitude the minute I walked in. Every table was available and yet no service. Worst place so far in Paris. The waiter was condescending. read more

Ahhh... L'Ami Louis. You will leave this restaurant with a full belly and empty wallet, but if you love food, you will be happily satisfied! My wife and I went here with another couple and wow...just wow... the food here is incredible. Especially if you like chicken, frites and fois gras. My wife and I shared the whole roasted chicken and we started with fois gras. Seriously, the best fois gras i've ever had and the mountain of frites that came with the Chicken reminded me of a dream I had when I was 11. The chicken was equally delicious and after you finish your first plate, you are happily surprised with another. Don't be alarmed to find yourself surrounded by English speaking tourist as they were everywhere while I was there and from what I heard, they always are. I like the waiters, they look really old school and you know its just part of what makes this place so cool. This place will go down and history as one of my favorite restaurants of all time, I eagerly look forward to coming back here... :) Try it out, as it won't disappoint. Enjoy! read more

We had a reservation at 10pm. They close at 11. I called to confirm on the day because I was told to do so by the owner. Something seemed too easy as I had heard it's impossible to get in unless you're a regular or celebrity. But he confirmed and nicely asked if we could arrive at 10:30. No problem I said. We eagerly awaited our evening with dreams of their sublime roast chicken and matchstick fries. When we arrived on time, you guessed it, the owner treated us like we were intruders. He said "finished for the night!" I nicely informed him that I had spoken to him twice and we had a reservation. Again he said "finished." I said but I spoke to you earlier and you confirmed. Again "finished." We left dejected. My dining partner insisted going back in and pleading with him to no avail. Once again he muttered "finished." That's our experience at the world famous Chez L'ami Louis. Will I try again? You bet I will. And I won't stop until a plate of that Roast Chicken is in front of me. read more

Just because the entire staff is rude, and the price of food and wine is exorbitant, it does not neccesarily mean you have found a fine French restaurant. Yes the chicken was delicious, but it is also 98 Euros. Simple lettuce salad 30, water 12, lower priced wine 125. There are hundreds of restaurants about Paris that can match the food, and with the money you could save you can stay an extra night at the Ritz. read more

Ok. It's expensive but it's a wonderful old school French experience. The portions are huge. I highly recommend the cold duck Terrine, green salad and roast chicken. It's really more braised than roasted but tender and succulent. The desserts were amazing and the service was lovely. Try the baba au rhum and the chocolate cake. Merveilleuse! The waiters could not have been nicer. I will come here again. read more

The attitude of the owner and serving staff exacerbates the feeling one is being ripped off! They hate their clients and no amount of charm offensive can change that! If you like being served Foie gras and snails which are bought in and heated up ( NOT made onsite) and bleeding steak when you order medium rare , only to be scowled at when you ask for a little more cooked off the large bone of meat you have paid for - then this is the place for you. Perhaps if one speaks French with a French accent it may be a bit better - but I will not be spending my hard earned money being abused! read more

What a fabulous bistro!! We have dined here for 34 yrs and have never been disappointed!! That said as an American who has come to know Louis and each waiter personally, I was upset by a Yelp review by an American who panned the restaurant--it appears the author does not know the waiters or really cares about staff. If you treat people as fixtures of the place and do not really want to KNOW them you usually get what you deserve. He did. Today's lunch was outstanding as usual with our yummy fois gras (served with piles of just made toast), a huge Bibb lettuce salad (look for it on the right side of the menu with no price listed), and the cote de boeuf for 2 (price is high but the beef is monsterous-about 4 inches high and easily can serve 4 not 2 --so beware). We normally have the chicken roasted on a spit that is marvelous but today we went overboard. Dessert was our favorite seasonal fruit--mounds of Bing cherries on 1 plate with equal mounds of raspberries, blueberries and blackberries on another (you can tell why we love this place--the food is exceptional). So go and do not listen to other Americans who happen to be pretentious. Reserve. Note Yelp has the wrong hours listed-the restaurant is closed Mon. And Tues. Open Sunday. read more

MAKE A RESERVATION!!! Have your hotel call! As French as a gift, there's only about 12 to 15 tables so please make sure that they can accommodate you. As French as it gets people that don't know wine or French food or etiquette will say they were rude but they are so classy and elegant. A must if you're in Paris, it's in the outside of Champs Elysees FYI 15 min driving distance. WELL WORTH IT read more

Stop the insanity. For God's sake, stop this insanity now. Stop the fawning 5-star reviews and ravings about €85 roast chicken that was touched by the hand of God and prices that suggest a criminal conspiracy and the celebration of service that was - at its best - rude and imperious. I was almost taken in too. After a restaurant owner that we befriended in London sent us an email suggesting that we try to dine at L'Ami Louis I checked the Yelp reviews and found almost universal acclaim for this unprepossessing command post of Gallic criminal cuisine. It's immediately apparent after setting foot through the narrow front doors that the restaurant owners are not spending any of their obscene profits on the restaurant's decor. In fact, I would wager that the entire annual maintenance budget for the railcar sized restaurant could be met with whatever miscellaneous euro coins you can dig out of your pocket right now. But in an age of shabby chic, I assume that most of their patrons mistake distressed and worn for vintage. Upon entry we were immediately accosted - not greeted - by one of several paunchy and truculent waiters who were milling about an emptying table and ordered to stand at the far end of the room. Now I'm not sure how to translate "Goodfellas" into French, but this crew of beefy and baleful waiters could certainly have starred in the sequel "Goodfellas in Paris: Poulet Pilfery." We were finally seated nearly 30 minutes after our reservation time and presented with a single page, laminated menu that was as classy as those you receive at the Midland, TX WaffleHouse - though without the enticing photos of each dish. I took a photo of the menu to prove that I wasn't exaggerating the breathtaking prices. €59 foie gras, €140 lamb for two, €140 beef ribs for two, €25 salad and €25 chocolate cake (not the whole cake, just a slice) and the aforementioned €85 roast chicken pour deux. With the exchange rate at about 1.5-1, our dinner tab was apparently going to rival my monthly mortgage payment. Before we could catch our breath from the exorbitant prices on the menu, we were delivered a bound tome of laminated pages substantial enough to induce a permanent sag in the wooden dining table. Apparently the owners understand that laminate alone cannot sufficiently convey the unconscionable prices of the wine list, which make the merely obscene menu prices pale in comparison. No, truly extortionate pricing requires a leather cover. Before proceeding any further, let me assure you that I am entirely accustomed to paying dear prices for extraordinary meals. I take no issue with the prices I paid just days before at Nobu in London for small plates of exquisite food. My complaint is paying exorbitant prices for intentional mediocrity. We order a bottle of white burgundy that retails for approximately $50 but is charmingly priced here at €200. Now, all I'd read about the restaurant were the effusive reviews of their otherworldly roast chicken and frites, so we started with a salad and waited for our promised land chicken. The salad of frisée and mâche - two leaves so contrarian that they have no business sharing the same bowl - was drenched in an entirely forgettable vinaigrette and simply dropped at the end of the table for us to serve ourselves. It was at this point that I began to recognize the impact of the Stockholm syndrome on my own expectations and impressions of L'Ami Louis. I wanted to believe. I wanted to overlook the haughty service. I wanted to excuse the unreasonable prices. I wanted to embrace the 5-star reviews. But then they brought the chicken. The adjective "plain" doesn't sufficiently capture the complete lack of decoration, adornment or garnishment on our plates of chicken. Imagine a complete absence of inspiration presented on a simple white plate and you capture some of the disillusion that was set before us. And that was before we actually applied knife and fork to their impenetrably resilient fowl. I regularly buy rotisserie roasted chicken from my local grocery store for $7. It is unfailingly tender, flavorful and delicious. Everything that was absent in L'Ami Louis' pretentious dish. Fortunately, I had my iPhone with me so I could look up the phrase "the chicken is tough and rubbery" in Google Translate. I even listened to the translation a few times so that I would pronounce the phrase "le poulet est dur et caoutchouteux" correctly. I needn't have bothered. Nobody ever asked us how our meal was. And why should they? They count on deluded tourists to clamor for one of their limited tables for the privilege of paying hundreds of euros for a meal that is provided nightly at countless brasseries across the city for one-fifth the price. It's time to break the cycle of abuse. Avoid L'Ami Louis. read more

This genius said it for me. http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2011/04/lami-louis-201104

Terrible - refused to honor reservation that was confirmed twice - rude staff. Ruined a very special celebration night.

Amazing place. Most yelp reviewers are good at complaining but know little about food. They post and complain to try to get free food! Trust me I know I have 4 restaurants all 4 star on yelp... This place is great. The traditional look and feel and attitude is of a bygone era. Foie gras world class, escargot best I have ever had, potatoes with garlic to die for, they had morel mushroom special that was out if this world and the best morel I had in the world. baby lamb and chicken were excellent but not best in class. Finished with chateau Margaux 99 and haut brion 88 .... Margaux won. Do yourself a favor if you have taste and can afford it go. Don't listen to ignorant morons that yelp attracts. We even sat next to a friend there Alexandra Ambrose. We were the only Americans in the place for the late seating. read more

Wow, a lot of picky reviews. First of all, the chicken is not $300. The escargot is not $70. It's expensive - but what in Paris isn't? And Americans notoriously gripe about the smallness of portions in France...not a problem here by any stretch. People gripe about the wait staff - I thought they were fabulous. Professional, funny, attentive. Escargot was the best I've ever had and a huge portion of it. Split it if you don't need that much. Poulet is fantastic. Wine list is huge. It's small and intimate and fantastic. read more

L'ami Louis does not honor reservations. I came here several times a few years ago and had good experiences. I decided to return on an anniversary trip so my husband and I made a reservation for dinner. We went to the restaurant to confirm the morning of (they require you call to confirm the day of or day before, and we were in the area so we just stopped by when they opened). They were extremely rude and unapologetic, saying they never had our reservation and were completely booked. I've seen several other reviews like this, so beware. read more

If you don't have taste. This is the place Really they have gone for the money. We booked a table arrived and they put us at the corner tried to argue because they had tables for 2. And the guy lied He said they sr for 3 then when two arrived he said well they eat here all the time Sad. Money more important than service. Skip skip!!!! read more

I don't understand thee people who give this place five-star reviews Wildly overpriced, extremely rude and hostile waiters and the kind of food that's better in in about 300 bistros or restaurants in Paris. At half the price. It's packed with Americans. The French wouldnrt tolerate this tourist trap. read more

This is my favourite restaurant. Despite its meager decor, the food and the proficient service will distract you from your surrounding. The clientele are hand-picked like the ingredients used. My favourite foods there are Escargots, Frogs legs, Pate foie Gras and the best gateau of potatoes in the world. Do not leave Paris without paying homage to this Parisian institution. read more

Hard to believe how good the food is. One of the best in Paris. The chicken is indescribable

Rude! At first, they refused to acknowledge we had a reservation, which was placed two weeks before. When pressed, they changed their story to say we had a reservation but failed to call that morning to confirm. They didn't even try to apologize, just turned us away. The staff is a bunch of arrogant white men. Do you self a favor. Skip this place and go to one of the many excellent restaurants in Paris with wait staffs that actually have good manners. read more

Everything you hear about L'ami Louis is true. Waiters are indifferent, portions are enough to feed a whole offensive line, food is rich, etc. Still, I would highly recommend the experience. It is a fun place to have a meal for a few hours. There are plenty of fine dining experiences in Paris but no other L'ami Louis's. read more

L'ami Louis is an institution spot! Plain and simple. Sure it's now mainly tourists who get the tables, the prices reflect that. It's a fun spot, Louis will come out and have some fun with you, you'll eat the best chicken you've ever eaten ( it's not $300.00), it's around 92 euros for 2 persons. Expect to spend money sure, but you'll leave with great memories. For me, the food is too rich and everything typically french, cooked in tons of butter. But if you go easy, eat slow and just enjoy the atmosphere and experience. A long Saturday lunch is the perfect time to go, it's to rich for a dinner for a lot of people. read more

This place is in a very dull nothings ville neigborhood but that aside had one one of the best lunches in town. It is where all the Presidents or heads of state eat when visiting Paris. A 10 year old kid was sitting near my wife and I and we overheard him say "They have zero chance of finishing all that food" He was right they served us the special which was a whole chicken roasted to perfection. The wait staff looks like they have been there since day 1 and very entertaining. If in Paris this is a must. Next time dinner. You definetly need a cab to get here and back. read more

I have had amazing meals here over the years. They just don't seem to care anymore. Forget about the service which was never great. Or the wine list which lacks imagination or value. Those things don't bother me. Even the fact that nearly everyone in the "authentic bistro" is a tourist is okay. The issue is the food. The food is simple which means the quality of the products and execution of the preparation are important. They failed badly on both. The Foie Gras tasted store bought. The chicken was overlooked, dried out and the skin was not at all crisp. The fries were soggy. The cote de boeuf was just okay. Cooked right but lacking flavor and it was tough. If you have had an amazing experience don't go back, savor your memories. If you have not been, be ready to spend $150 or more per person and maybe get a good meal, or maybe leave very disappointed. There are many other places where you can get the same experience for less or much better versions of this experience for the same price. read more

L'Ami Louis, need I say more? Unparalleled quality, quintessential brasserie ambiance, efficient, professional service without pretense. Great meats, poultry, fois gras, French fries, salads, all of superior quality. Difficult-to-impossible reservation to get but more than worth it. read more

easter lunch yesterday: coquille st jacques- the pathetic scallops were devoid of flavour; frittes - cold and brittle; chicken-- a feathered nightmare; berries & cream--good and fresh; bread and butter-- exceptional; bill-- €325. a miserable experience. our waiters were fine with the exception of louis. he dragged himself through the restaurant-- grunting and scowling, barking orders and terrorizing patrons and waiters alike... read more

Poor communication. Asked for reservations and they said no need. We came and said we are full, you need a reservation. Stay away!!!!!