Café Marly

Café Marly occupies a uniquely privileged position in Paris: its terrace is set within the Richelieu wing of the Louvre itself, facing directly across the Cour Napoléon toward I.M. Pei's glass pyramid. No other café or restaurant in the city commands a comparable combination of architectural drama and cultural immediacy. The address has operated under its current format since 1994, serving a French brasserie menu from early morning through to the early hours in a space that includes a handsome interior salon with high ceilings and a covered arcade. The cooking is brasserie rather than gastronomic — croque-monsieur, salmon tartare, a creditable Café Marly cheeseburger, club sandwiches, and well-assembled salads — and the kitchen is reliable if not exceptional. Prices reflect the location substantially: a croque-monsieur costs nearly twice what it would at a neighbourhood café, and cocktails follow proportionately. The value proposition is access to the terrace view, which at sunset or on a rainy afternoon with the pyramid lit is one of the most memorable in Paris. Breakfast and brunch are busy and should be reserved; the full menu runs throughout the day. The café is popular with museum visitors before and after the Louvre, and reservations for the terrace are strongly recommended in spring and summer. The interior salon provides a quieter alternative and is worth requesting when visiting for dinner.