The rule on heated terraces
According to a City of Paris information sheet, heating open terraces is forbidden: only enclosed terraces may be heated or air-conditioned. A "heated" terrace in winter is therefore in principle a veranda, a covered terrace closed on the sides or an otherwise equipped space. When a restaurant advertises a heated terrace, ask when you book whether it is enclosed.
Addresses cited by guides
- Aqua Kyoto, 26 avenue des Champs-Élysées, 8th: a Japanese restaurant with a large terrace described as protected and heated.
- Terrass'Hôtel, 12-14 rue Joseph de Maistre, 18th: a heated veranda in Montmartre.
- Les Climats, 41 rue de Lille, 7th: a heated terrace sheltered from the wind.
- Le Perchoir Ménilmontant, 14 rue Crespin du Gast, 11th: a covered, heated bar with a view over the city.
By area
- Montmartre: small squares and open-air restaurants, crowded in high season.
- The Marais and Bastille: pedestrian streets and brasserie terraces.
- Left Bank: cafés and brasseries around the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
- Along the water: the Seine embankments and the Canal Saint-Martin, for a light meal.
View and height
For a terrace with a view, our guide to the best rooftops in Paris lists the high-up addresses. To eat on the water, our comparison of the dinner cruise on the Seine is the option that ignores fickle weather.
Tips
- Book a terrace for dinner in summer: outdoor seats go first.
- Ask whether the terrace is under a parasol, an awning or enclosed.
- A street-side terrace can be noisy: ask for a table set back.
- Terrace prices are sometimes higher than inside in tourist areas; read the menu before sitting down.
