All About Georges Restaurant at the Centre Pompidou

Georges Restaurant on the Centre Georges Pompidou's top floor is a favorite spot among the jetset, and for obvious reason: it affords an unbeatable vantage of the whole city through large windows, features a trendy fusion-cuisine menu, and boasts a design that makes you think you've stepped onto the set of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Or perhaps you'll suddenly feel like you've stepped into an avant-garde art happening, circa 1968. While the fare is just a head or two above mediocre, enjoying the views from here after a day exploring the Centre Pompidou's top-rate modern art collections is recommended. Make sure to reserve ahead: this restaurant is continually packed, especially for dinner and on warm, clear nights. If it's expected to be a nice day, ask specifically for a table outside when you reserve or you may find yourself disappointed: these obviously fill up the most quickly.

Location and Practical Information:

Address : Place Georges Pompidou, 4th arrondissement

To get to the restaurant: Take the escalators or elevator from the second floor of the Cenre Pompidou Forum (main hall). Reserve ahead for dinner: you may not be allowed up otherwise.
Metro: Rambuteau or Hotel de Ville (Line 11); Les Halles (Line 4)
RER: Chatelet-Les-Halles (Line A)
Bus: Lines 38, 21, 29, 47, 58, 69, 70, 72, 74, 75, 76, 81, 85, 96
Parking: Rue Beaubourg Underpass
Phone: 33 (0)144 78 47 99

Visit the website (in English]

Nearby Areas and Tourist Attractions:

• The Marais Neighborhood
• Hôtel de Ville (City Hall)
• Rue Montorgueil Neighborhood
• Ile de la Cite

Opening Hours and Reservations:

The restaurant is open Wednesday through Monday, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Nonstop food and drinks service is offered. 

For Reservations:

• Telephone: +33 (0)1 44 78 47 99
• Fax: +33 (0)1 48 87 81 25

Menu and Prices:

The cuisine at Georges is, typically, classic French and fusion with heavy Asian accents. It's on the expensive side: you can expect to pay around 45 to 60 dollars per person (excluding wine). Many of the dishes are reminiscent of Californian cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh seasonal vegetables. There are plenty of options for vegetarians or otherwise-health-conscious eaters. Some typical dinner menu items currently include:

• Chicken breast with curry and mango chutney
• Quinoa salad with fresh herbs
• Artichoke heart, perfect egg, and truffle
• Mandarina crispy duck
• Mushroom ravioli with truffle cream
• Sea scallops with tom yam sauce 

Please note that menu items and average prices quoted here were accurate at the time of publication, but may change at any time. Consult the current menu for more information (in English). 

The Setting and the Architecture:

Designed by Dominique Jakob and Brendan MacFarlane, Georges is sprawling and minimalist, yet the design manages to come off as a tad whimsical. There are the stark white tables and chairs and single long-stem roses in vases on each table. The use of aluminum sheeting resembling the valves of a heart makes the space degrees intimate and warmer, despite the heavy use of metal and glass. The effect is slightly pretentious, but eye-catching.

Outside, a large terrace makes a summer mojito or caipirinha a must (bug-eyed designer sunglasses not required). Remember, a little bit of ostentation here means you'll fit right in. 

The Panoramic Views: Très Romantique

I was almost tempted to talk about the sweeping panoramic views afforded from the outside terrace first. This is perhaps one of the most Romantic restaurants in Paris-- at least when weather permits sitting outside. Views from the Georges afford you a glimpse of monuments including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Sacre Coeur, and the Seine River. It's a simply breathtaking spectacle, especially at dusk.   

More Reviews and Information:

For objective traveler reviews on Georges, visit TripAdvisor.