Balcon Paris
Paris
In breve
Recensioni
I really wanted to give 5 stars because the food is decent, the vibe is nice, the service is efficient, and the view is amazing. Just a reminder to staff that when offering alternative menu/orders especially to kids to be mindful of allergies. My son originally ordered beef bourguignon but it wasnt available (only available on specific day) and the staff taking the order suggested grilled salmon instead. My son loves salmon so he said yes to her suggestion. My bad that I got too complacent following her suggestion as well that I did not queried further what it contained, after all she said grilled salmon. My son took a couple of bites which he loved but then he cried and said it was making him itchy. He did turn red and his lips look swollen so we gave him anti histamine, and he then looked fine for a moment. We eventually left hurriedly as my son started feeling unwell. Half an hour later we found ourselves in the hospital. The doctor said the salmon may have nuts in it or may have been cross contaminated. It was really scary because 1.) my son has a peanut allergy and would need an epipen if he have actually eaten one, 2.) as an english speaking tourist, there was a language barrier in the hospital, 3.) Our flight was that 11 pm that evening and being at the hospital 7 hours before your flight is not ideal. The dr prescribed cortisol (for 5 days), anti histamine (for 2 weeks). My son is still taking the medicine. Checking the menu online revealed that the salmon have almonds.
We had a mid evening reservation. . The security guards were kind and directed us. We were able to check in and be seated. We had an amazing view of the entire city. The cocktails, chocolate mousse and gelato were amazing !! Highly recommend
I usually don’t leave negative reviews, but this experience was so disappointing that I felt compelled to share it. We had breakfast on the terrace at Balcón Café about a year ago and absolutely loved it, so we were excited to return this summer. Unfortunately, this visit was a completely different experience. First, cappuccino and café au lait are no longer included in the breakfast menu and now come with an extra charge, despite the overall price increase. At least this is what we were told by a waitress. The croissant was so awful that I’m not sure I can properly describe it. It felt as if it had been bought from Paul three weeks ago and left sitting on a table ever since. It was unbelievably dry, stale, and barely chewable - the worst croissant I’ve had in my life, by far. After the first (and last) bite I was so mad, that I decided to leave this review. Third, the orange juice was very mediocre. It certainly didn’t taste freshly squeezed - it was watery and tasted more like a mass-market supermarket juice. To be fair, there were some positives: 1. The green tea was decent. 2. The staff were friendly, welcoming, and genuinely tried to be helpful. 3. The terrace view, atmosphere, and overall setting remain fantastic. Overall, this visit was a major disappointment compared to our previous experience. Sadly, I can no longer recommend this place, and we won’t be returning.
Some places in Paris feel like a destination even before you taste the food, and Créatures is exactly that. My wife and I ended up here after crossing the city from Montmartre to Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, and the contrast was brilliant: from bohemian hills and narrow lanes to wide boulevards, elegant façades, and that unmistakable buzz around Opéra. Getting there was straightforward on the métro, and once inside Galeries Lafayette you simply follow the signs upwards (or use the lifts if you prefer to avoid escalators). The climb through the store is part of the experience: you pass floors of fashion and perfume, then suddenly you’re near the famous glass dome, a reminder that this isn’t just another department store. Galeries Lafayette has been part of Paris since the late 19th century, and it still carries that “grand magasin” spirit where shopping, architecture, and spectacle all live under the same roof. By the time we reached the top, it genuinely felt like we’d travelled to a different Paris, one made of skyline and open air. We first spent time on the rooftop terrace taking photos, and only then decided to slow down and sit at Créatures. The atmosphere up there felt effortlessly Parisian: lively but relaxed, music in the background, people chatting over drinks, and a panoramic view that makes you forget you’re standing above one of the busiest shopping areas in the city. The only small downside for us was that it was a bit busy that day, so we did have to wait a little while before getting a table, but it worked out perfectly, because we ended up with a spot that had a genuinely lovely view over Paris. While we waited and once we were seated, the staff were friendly and genuinely willing to help, which immediately made the whole experience feel easy and welcoming. Once settled, we ordered a couple of local beers, La Parisienne in our case, and kept it simple with a croc monsieur, a croc madame, and a Greek salad. Nothing overcomplicated, just satisfying comfort food that matched the moment. Sitting there with a cold beer in hand, watching the rooftops stretch into the distance, felt like the perfect reset button in the middle of a busy sightseeing day. A few practical notes that help: this spot can get very popular, especially around late afternoon and sunset, so arriving a bit earlier can make it easier to find a table and enjoy the view without feeling rushed. Accessibility is also a plus compared with many “viewpoint” experiences in Paris, you can reach the rooftop area via lifts inside the store, and you’ll find proper facilities in the building below. For transport, you’re surrounded by options in this part of town, so it’s easy to continue your day afterwards without backtracking. We left Créatures refreshed and happy, descended back through the floors of Galeries Lafayette, and stepped out into the Paris streets with that pleasant feeling of having discovered a small pocket of calm above the city. If you’re already visiting Galeries Lafayette for the dome or the rooftop view, stopping at Créatures is a natural upgrade, a simple meal, a local beer, and one of the best “take a breath” panoramas in Paris.
