La Rotonde de la Muette Brasserie, Paris

Image by @annaraiz_

Image by @larotondedelamuette. Plush seats, cosy booths and warm lighting

Parisian cafés and brasseries can be very pretty to photograph and be photographed in. They’re great for coffee, a glass of wine and maybe a smoke, but I would be careful which I chose for a meal. I had walked by La Rotonde many times and always thought it was pretty but never made an effort to eat there as I’d grown weary of cafés and brasseries after having stumbled into many tourist traps. However, La Rotonde de la Muette, in the 16th arrondissement, was a pleasant and delicious surprise.

The cosy place was designed by National Design Award winning New York firm, Roman & Williams, who are famous for other notable places such as The Standard High Line, Ace hotels and Le Coucou all in New York. The design pays homage to classic Parisian brasseries while the multiple tall windows and expansive terrace allows you to feel the energy of Paris from a safe distance from other diners, so you can enjoy your conversation and food with some semblance of privacy.

The decor is my favorite thing about the place: the marble table tops, classic white table cloths, velvet cushions, brass light fixtures and multiple mirrors. The table arrangements also make for nooks and crannies from which you simply won’t want to crawl out.

Everyone bemoans how long it takes to get your bill at the end of a meal in Paris but at La Rotonde you’d be pleased if your waiter takes his sweet time. The service is delightful and the food is good! Oh and there’s air conditioning and are open every day. Those last two points are special in this city. Thank me later.

Details:

Address: 12 Chaussée de la Muette 75016 Paris

Phone: +33 1 45 24 45 45

Hours: Every day from 7am to Midnight