Café du Trocadéro

In the opening scene of Woody Allen’s Midnight In Paris, he provides a panoramic shot of Place du Trocadéro, with the Eiffel Tower in the background, framed by Palais de Chaillot that is perched atop a hill spread out with an esplanade guarded by tall statuettes.  It distills life in Paris perfectly, with waiters in their white aprons, black vests and bowties ushering patrons crammed on the sidewalk with cafe and other drinks.  It is the venerable Café du Trocadéro, where fashion minded Parisians meet in the elite 16th Arrondissement, that sets the scene.

Several other cafes and restaurants line Place du Trocadéro, where six separate tree-lined avenues connect like spokes, to the main hub, centered directly behind Palais de Chaillot.  Anchored by an equestrian statue of a World War I commander Maréchal Foch, the place itself is named for a historic fort near Cadiz,  Spain, which was occupied by France in the early nineteenth century.

Directly behind this hub sits Café du Trocadéro, one of my favorite places for an afternoon snack, cafe or late evening drink.  The quality of the food is quite high for a cafe, and includes standout items such as a club sandwich, burgers, steak, creme brulee, mousse au chocolat and, of course, frites.  The salads are really exceptional and unusual as they are offered as a plat (main dish), not just an entree (appetizer).  What is more interesting are the people.  Russian oligarchs, bourgois housewives, Parisian businessmen, college students, lovers, friends, all flock to Café du Trocadéro, especially in the late evening when the Eiffel Tower sparkles on the hour after dark.

Open until past midnight seven days a week, you can come for breakfast, lunch, dinner, daytime snacks, cafe or drinks.