Quai de la Photo is a new and very interesting hybrid arts space on the Seine, just in front of the BNF national library (i.e. pretty close to our hotels).

We told you about it opening back in July, saying that we were looking forward to getting down there ourselves to check out the exhibitions, bar, restaurant, etc.

And now we have! Here’s how it went (spoiler alert: rather well)…

We first went to have a look at Quai de la Photo during the day, to get a good look at the various spaces they have – a bar on the quayside with one photo exhibition, then on the water another bar, the main photo gallery, the photo bookshop, the restaurant and access to the boats you can rent for a tour on the Seine (starting at 12€ per person and going up to 245€ each for a themed photo tour!)

As they are open all day, you can go for lunch / dinner, a drink, or just to see an exhibition, depending on what time you’re there. Whether it’s daytime or nighttime, being near the Seine is always a pleasure.

We chose to have dinner there, and our table looked almost directly onto the water. With all the lights of the nearby bridge reflecting on the Seine, the scene was beautifully set.

However, we had one big question – the restaurant has only a limited menu, and a fixed-price one at that (just under 20€ for two courses) which seemed worryingly cheap. Were we going to have a good meal, or just a passable one?

We thought it might help if we ordered a cocktail (a spritz and a virgin mojito) while deciding what to eat…

With just a short list of choices, it didn’t take us long to pick:

— charred organic leak, feta cheese, marinaded daikon radish and passion fruit vinaigrette
— gazpacho with basil sorbet and fried onions, followed by
— an oriental-style burrata, Mechouia salad, crunchy pistachios with organic Argan oil, and
— satay-marinaded yellowfin tuna, grilled vegetables and coriander-infused olive oil.

The leek was beautifully presented on a long plate, very moist and melt-in-the-mouth, while the cold gazpacho soup had a surprising mix of tastes with its fairly sweet sorbet. The burrata didn’t disappoint either, with its spicy tomato base and tiny pieces of pistachio, and the tuna – well cooked as we asked, rather than the usual rare – was accompanied by perfectly-cooked, crunchy vegetables.

With a menu so reasonably priced, we thought the dishes were really well executed and presented, with surprising mixes of flavours. Even the plates themselves were smart! It seems that the reduced choice allows the chef to concentrate on each plate leaving the kitchens! 😋

The serving staff were equally adept, and very friendly.

Despite not being super hungry after those two courses, we decided to try at least one dessert! The figs sounded great – roasted with organic Rooibos tea, with ‘corne de gazelle’ flavoured ice cream (a kind of exotic dessert).

It turned out to be yet another agreeable surprise, prettily presented with a smokey taste and very yummy ice cream. Other more expensive restaurants could learn a thing or two from Quai de la Photo!

With the meal over, we decided to relax and have a final drink at the quayside bar, in deckchairs no less! The night was warm, there was music, the lights were twinkling on the Seine…

It was the perfect end to a great evening. Such good food was quite a surprise, our view of the Sein was perfect, and we even got to see a free photo exhibition!

Hopefully, you’ll be tempted to go down and sample the food for yourself!

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The restaurant of Quai de la Photo (here) is open for lunch and dinner every day from May to October, and from Wednesday to Sunday during the winter

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