Foodie tries the Eiffel Tower's two-Michelin-star restaurant to find out if it's a tourist trap. Here's his verdict on his £1,160 meal... which veers from 'delicious' to 'disturbing'

As restaurant locations go, few can match that of Le Jules Verne – it sits on the second level of the Eiffel Tower.

What’s more, it has been awarded two Michelin stars.

On paper, then, it’s the very definition of a bucket-list restaurant.

However, not all opinions about Le Jules Verne align. While a Michelin inspector praised the dining experience as ‘exceptional’, some critics have labeled the restaurant as a ‘tourist trap’. One reviewer even went as far as to suggest that the restaurant relies too heavily on its prime location.

Indeed, on Tripadvisor, over 230 reviewers out of 995 have rated it average or below.

Alexander Varga, a food enthusiast and co-owner of the one-Michelin-starred restaurant ’42’ in Esztergom, Hungary, decided to investigate firsthand. Curious about the dining experience at Le Jules Verne, he documented his 1,400-euro (£1,160/$1,470) meal in a captivating YouTube video.

Passionate about drawing inspiration from fine dining, Varga regularly visits Michelin-starred establishments. With over 80 three-star restaurants under his belt, he showcases his culinary adventures in mesmerizing videos.

They’re uploaded to his YouTube channel, ‘Alexander The Guest’, with his Jules Verne video accumulating over 545,000 views so far.

Foodie Alexander Varga filmed a fascinating YouTube video of his 1,400-euro (£1,160/$1,470) experience at Le Jules Verne, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant on the second level of the Eiffel Tower

Foodie Alexander Varga filmed a fascinating YouTube video of his 1,400-euro (£1,160/$1,470) experience at Le Jules Verne, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant on the second level of the Eiffel Tower

The video begins with the ascent to the venue, with the view, unsurprisingly, bowling Alexander over. Above - the 'nice' appetiser, a tartlet of smoked eggplant caviar and roasted tomato

The video begins with the ascent to the venue, with the view, unsurprisingly, bowling Alexander over. Above – the ‘nice’ appetiser, a tartlet of smoked eggplant caviar and roasted tomato

Alexander is largely impressed with the restaurant, but some aspects of his meal leave him underwhelmed.

He tells MailOnline Travel: ‘It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience – but not from the perspective of fine dining.’

The video begins with the ascent to the venue, with the view, unsurprisingly, bowling Alexander over.

In the video, he remarks: ‘That view. Paris is laid out beneath us like a work of art.’

Then the appetiser arrives – a tartlet of smoked eggplant caviar and roasted tomato. ‘Nice flavours, but the texture was a bit watery,’ says Alexander.

The bread, however, is ‘superb’ and passes the ‘crunch test’. And it goes ‘perfectly’ with the ‘delicious’ amuse-bouche – Spanish cold tomato soup and cherry tomatoes preserved with a sabayon (light sauce) of smoked butter and wild garlic oil.

Next – lobster with a light foam of vanilla, together with a cup of crab soup and caviar on the side.

Alexander praises the ‘intense flavours’.

Above - the 'superb' bread, which Alexander reveals on the video 'passes the crunch test'

Above – the ‘superb’ bread, which Alexander reveals on the video ‘passes the crunch test’

Spanish cold tomato soup

Cherry tomatoes preserved with a sabayon (light sauce) of smoked butter and wild garlic oil

The amuse-bouche: Spanish cold tomato soup (left) and cherry tomatoes preserved with a sabayon (light sauce) of smoked butter and wild garlic oil (right)

The second course is a galette with Comte cheese and girolle mushrooms, served with tortellini filled with mushrooms and hazelnut.

The galette is the ‘clear winner’, with the tortellini described merely as ‘okay’.

Langoustine served two ways – a signature dish – follows.

Alexander is presented with langoustine tail roasted with a Parmesan cheese emulsion and langoustine ravioli.

'Intense flavours': Lobster with a light foam of vanilla, together with a cup of crab soup and caviar on the side

‘Intense flavours’: Lobster with a light foam of vanilla, together with a cup of crab soup and caviar on the side

'Winner': The second course is a galette with Comte cheese and girolle mushrooms

‘Winner’: The second course is a galette with Comte cheese and girolle mushrooms

The 'delicious' langoustine tail

The ravioli 'had a disturbing ammonia-like smell'

Langoustine served two ways ‘doesn’t deliver’. The tail (left) was ‘delicious’, but the ravioli (right) ‘had a disturbing ammonia-like smell’

The lamb confit. This is the dish that disappointed Alexander the most

The lamb confit. This is the dish that disappointed Alexander the most

After the disappointing lamb, Alexander is offered veal sweetbread (above). 'Nice save,' he concludes

After the disappointing lamb, Alexander is offered veal sweetbread (above). ‘Nice save,’ he concludes

‘Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite deliver,’ says Alexander, who reveals that the ‘ravioli had a weird almost ammonia-like smell’. He adds: ‘The smell was disturbing and I didn’t finish it.’

The tail, however, ‘was delicious’.

The main course? Lamb confit inside pomme boulangère (baker’s potatoes) with caramelised onion and covered in a stew with peas and juice from the lamb.

Alexander’s thoughts? ‘In terms of presentation, this is not a two-Michelin-star main dish, in my opinion.’

He tells MailOnline separately: ‘This disappointed me the most. I had higher expectations for the main course.’

Alexander shares his feedback with the waiting staff and is offered veal sweetbread to make amends.

‘Nice save,’ he says.

Dessert is hot chocolate souffle in a bowl and a stick of cold cacao ice cream. 'I love the concept,' says Alexander

Dessert is hot chocolate souffle in a bowl and a stick of cold cacao ice cream. ‘I love the concept,’ says Alexander

Alexander says the restaurant 'might not hit the two-star standard' if you pulled a curtain around it and blocked out the view

Alexander says the restaurant ‘might not hit the two-star standard’ if you pulled a curtain around it and blocked out the view

Dessert is hot and cold chocolate – hot chocolate souffle in a bowl and a stick of cold cacao ice cream.

‘I love the concept,’ says Alexander.

The verdict? Alexander understands that the restaurant faces logistical issues being on the second floor of the tower – kitchen space and storage is limited – but says: ‘If you pulled a black curtain around the restaurant and blocked the view, then I would have to say it might not hit the two-star standard, even though the service was exceptional.’

MailOnline Travel asked Le Jules Verne if it would like to comment on the video, but it did not respond. 

For more fascinating foodie videos from Alexander visit www.youtube.com/@alexandertheguest and follow him on Instagram at www.instagram.com/alexandertheguest and on TikTok at www.tiktok.com/@alexandertheguest. Follow his restaurant on Instagram at www.instagram.com/42restaurant.

For more on Le Jules Verne, visit www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/en/jules-verne-restaurant.html.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
The 'cunning reason' JD Vance is fighting for Pete Hegseth to become the Defense secretary

The sneaky motivation behind JD Vance’s support for Pete Hegseth as Defense secretary

JD Vance is fighting for his political future by lobbying to get…
EXCLUSIVE: 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' hosts share whirlwind experience filming

Special Feature: Hosts of ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ discuss their fast-paced filming adventure

LOS ANGELES — “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is back! And we have…
Exonerated woman awarded $34M after jury finds Las Vegas police fabricated evidence in 2001 killing

Woman cleared of charges receives $34 million settlement following discovery of falsified evidence by Las Vegas police in 2001 murder case

Lobato expressed uncertainty about whether becoming a millionaire could compensate for the…
2 close-calls at Chicago O'Hare airport involving United Airlines flights in 1 day: 'This is normal?'

“Is it usual to have 2 near-misses at Chicago O’Hare involving United Airlines flights in one day?”

CHICAGO (WLS) — At O’Hare airport, there were two close calls in…
Woman, 27, in 'disgustingly good shape' diagnosed with a terminal cancer on the rise in young people after putting her worrying symptom down to 'overeating'

27-Year-Old Woman with ‘Disgustingly Good shape’ Misdiagnosed Terminal Cancer Due to Ignoring Symptoms

At the age of 27, Nadia Le Tiec was on a tear.…
Russia batters Ukraine power grid amid rising concern Putin could order ballistic missile attack this weekend

Russia attacks Ukraine electricity network sparking fears of potential missile strike by Putin this weekend

For the third consecutive year, Russia’s primary winter strategy continued by targeting…
Woman arrested for attempting to smuggle 22 pounds of meth wrapped as Christmas gifts in carry-on bag

Woman caught smuggling 22 pounds of meth disguised as Christmas gifts in carry-on luggage

Observant officers in a New Zealand airport unwrapped $2 million worth of…
FDA blood donor changes allowing more to donate; former Scotland resident Angus Macaskill speaks out

Angus Macaskill shares thoughts on FDA’s new blood donor guidelines opening eligibility to more individuals

After decades of restrictions, new guidelines are opening doors for thousands of…
Kim Kardashian's face looks very different at SKIMS opening and fans think they know why

Fans speculate on the reason for Kim Kardashian’s noticeably changed appearance at the SKIMS opening

Kim Kardashian’s face looked very different at the grand opening her flagship Skims…
Dr. Hamid Mirshojae: Ex-wife Ahang Mirshojae, 4 others arrested in 'ambush' murder of California doctor

Arrest Made in California Doctor’s Murder: Dr. Hamid Mirshojae’s Former Wife Ahang Mirshojae and 4 Others Detained for Suspected Involvement

The ex-wife of a California doctor and four others have been arrested…
Where Was ‘Carry On’ Filmed? Discover the Real Airport Where Taron Egerton’s Netflix’s Movie Was Shot

Where Was the Movie ‘Carry On’ Filmed? Explore the Actual Airport Where Taron Egerton’s Netflix Film Was Recorded

“Carry On,” available now on Netflix, offers a fresh perspective on holiday…
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will donate $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural fund

“OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to Donate $1 Million to President-elect Donald Trump’s Inaugural Fund”

LOS ANGELES — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is set to donate $1…