Heading to Paris in April for your wife’s birthday? Spring evenings can still carry a chill (averaging 8–12 °C / 46–54 °F at dinner time), so opting for cozy indoor spots—or well-heated terraces—is wise. Below are ten of my favorite restaurants that combine atmosphere, quality cuisine, and, where noted, postcard-ready views of the Iron Lady.

1. La Fontaine de Mars

• Location: 129 Rue Saint‑Dominique, 7th arrondissement

• Vibe: Classic bistro, warm and inviting

• Why Go: One of Paris’s oldest family‑run bistros, it serves elevated takes on French comfort food—think terrine de campagne, canard confit, crème brûlée—using market‑fresh ingredients. It’s a short stroll from the Eiffel Tower but avoids the tourist traps of immediate tower‑front eateries.

• Insider Tip: Reserve well in advance; it fills up quickly, especially on weekends.

2. Café du Trocadéro

• Location: Place du Trocadéro, 16th arrondissement

• Vibe: Casual brasserie with panoramic windows

• Why Go: Floor‑to‑ceiling windows frame the Eiffel Tower perfectly. Inside, classic brasserie fare (steak frites, onglet à l’échalote, tarte Tatin) feels effortlessly Parisian. Outdoor tables have heat lamps if you’d prefer a crisp‑air dinner.

• Insider Tip: Ask for a table by the window on the 1st floor for the best view.

3. Les Ombres

• Location: 27 Quai Branly, Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, 7th arrondissement

• Vibe: Modern, art‑inspired dining room under glass

• Why Go: Located atop the Quai Branly museum, Les Ombres has a glass ceiling and walls—through which the Eiffel Tower seems to float above your table. The tasting menu showcases inventive, globally influenced French cuisine. Perfect for a birthday celebration.

• Insider Tip: The “Eiffel Tower at Dusk” tasting option times dishes to the Tower’s evening illumination.

4. Monsieur Bleu

• Location: 20 Avenue de New York, 16th arrondissement

• Vibe: Chic, retro‑modern space in a former art deco mansion

• Why Go: Oversized windows overlook the Seine and Eiffel Tower. The menu balances hearty French classics with lighter, contemporary plates—great for sharing. The bar cocktails are top-notch.

• Insider Tip: Sunday brunch here is lively if you extend your celebration.

5. Girafe

• Location: 1 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 16th arrondissement

• Vibe: Nautical art deco, crisp white and navy décor

• Why Go: Part of the Caviar Kaspia group, Girafe specializes in seafood—oysters, ceviche, caviar—served with unmatched Tower vistas through expansive windows. Indoor seating ensures warmth.

• Insider Tip: Try the signature “Girafe” oyster platter for two.

6. Le Ciel de Paris

• Location: Tour Montparnasse, 56th floor, 33 Avenue du Maine, 15th arrondissement

• Vibe: Sleek, sky‑high dining room

• Why Go: Though not by the Eiffel Tower itself, this 56th‑floor restaurant offers arguably the best elevated Tower panorama across the Seine. The refined menu highlights seasonal French produce.

• Insider Tip: Sunset reservations grant you daylight-to-night transitions over the cityscape.

7. La Dame de Pic – Le 19

• Location: Le 19M, 19 Rue de la Fontaine au Roi, 11th arrondissement

• Vibe: Stylish industrial loft above a design atelier

• Why Go: Chef Anne-Sophie Pic’s Paris outpost dazzles with artistic plating and unexpected flavor pairings. It’s farther afield but worth the adventure—and the design-forward setting makes for a special occasion.

• Insider Tip: Opt for the “Pic Signature” menu to taste the chef’s highlights.

8. Le Jules Verne

• Location: Eiffel Tower, 2nd floor

• Vibe: Elegant fine dining with direct Tower ambience

• Why Go: For a truly once‑in‑a‑lifetime dinner, Le Jules Verne—Alain Ducasse’s Michelin‑starred restaurant inside the Tower—blends haute French cuisine with unparalleled immediacy. Booking is essential months ahead.

• Insider Tip: Dress code is smart casual to formal; treat it as a gala.

9. La Table du Huit

• Location: 8 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 11th arrondissement

• Vibe: Intimate, neighborhood bistro

• Why Go: Though not Tower‑adjacent, this cozy eatery sits in the hip Oberkampf district. It’s perfect for a pre- or post-Tower dinner stroll and offers Michelin‑level cuisine at accessible prices.

• Insider Tip: The daily changing “Carte Blanche” tasting menu is a delightful surprise.

10. Café de l’Homme

• Location: 17 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 16th arrondissement

• Vibe: Grand terrace inside the Palais de Chaillot

• Why Go: With wide terraces and indoor dining overlooking the Trocadéro gardens, Café de l’Homme provides iconic tower views in a spacious, art deco setting. The menu focuses on Mediterranean‑inspired dishes.

• Insider Tip: Request an indoor table by the large windows if it’s especially chilly.

Tips for April Dining in Paris

• Book Early: Top spots fill up weeks in advance, especially around birthdays and weekends.

• Layer Up: Even indoor venues can be drafty—bring a light jacket or wrap.

• Transport: Metro Line 6 (Bir-Hakeim) and RER C (Champ-de-Mars – Tour Eiffel) serve the 7th; Metro 9 (Trocadéro) serves the 16th.

• Timing: Dinner typically starts around 7 PM; many kitchens close by 10 PM.