Girafe Restaurant in Paris Has the Most Beautiful Views of Eiffel Tower

In Paris, beauty is everywhere — from the grand city landmarks to the charming garden nooks, from the vibrant art scene to the delicious dining options. And if you know where to look, it can be found all in one place.

At Girafe, the chic seafood restaurant by chef Charles Ducrocq overlooking the Palais de Chaillot, meals are paired with breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower — making it one of the most sought-after reservations for locals and visitors alike. 

The hotspot features a stunning wrap-around patio and a sixth floor terrace that lets diners gaze at the nearby Eiffel Tower — a can’t-miss experience at night when the famous landmark’s light show sparkles on the hour — and the Olympic competitions below, including the outdoor beach volleyball arena.

During the Olympics, food lovers will be treated to an exclusive culinary collaboration: Ignacio Mattos — the celebrity chef behind award-winning restaurants Estela, Altro Paradiso and Lodi in New York City — has teamed up with Ducrocq to create a menu featuring both of the chefs’ most popular and iconic dishes. The Girafe residency, brought to life by Visa and Chase Sapphire in honor of the Olympics, runs until Aug. 11 — and reservations are available to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers.

“I have been really excited to bring a taste of Estela to Paris, and to share our cooking with people coming from all over the world,” Mattos told PEOPLE a few days before the opening. “And to be able to do this at a restaurant like Girafe, it’s been nothing but a pleasure — a real dream.” 

The menu is divided equally among Mattos’ and Ducrocq’s dishes, giving diners a chance to sample each of the chef’s creations. The options include Estela’s signature fried arroz negro with squid and romesco, endive salad with walnuts and anchovy, and steak with turnip and black sesame béarnaise, while Girafe’s yellowtail sashimi with yuzu, roasted cod with chorizo and clams, and linguine with lobster and tomato round out the menu.

The highlights continue for dessert with decadent treats like vanilla and praline-filled choux buns and Mattos’ warm chocolate cake with black sesame ganache and a generous dollop of whipped cream.

“We’re sourcing many ingredients locally in France, so that may lead to some inspiration — it always does,” says Mattos, who hints at possible menu changes and improvisation during the fortnight. “But really, it’s about the letting the ingredients be the stars and letting the simplicity of the flavors take the lead. That’s always been my goal.”

Mattos says the collaboration has been going smoothly, despite much of the planning happening across continents and time zones — except for one snag. 

“My French, well, that needs some help,” Mattos, who was born in Uruguay, says with a laugh. “I have been having help with the translating, but at the end of the day, we’re all speaking the same language of food so we figure it out quickly. I’m hoping to pick up some French while I’m [here] too.” 

Says Mattos: “I feel very lucky to be able to experience opportunities like this, to work with people who inspire me and allow me to see things in a different way,” says Mattos. “To be in Paris with my team and my family, that really is the dream.” 

Reservations for lunch and dinner at Girafe can be made online or at Paris’ Visa Lounge for Chase Sapphire Reserve, a floating, three-level hangout docked along the banks of the Seine. Inside, cardmembers can stop by the concierge desk to confirm tables at Girafe, and also enjoy drinks, gourmet snacks, views of city landmarks like the newly-restored Grand Palais, and even the company of legendary former Olympic athletes including Michael Phelps, Aly Raisman, Allyson Felix, Tony Parker and Sue Bird — who are dropping in for meet-and-greets at the lounge throughout the games.

To learn more about the Olympics, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. And sign up for Going for Gold, our Olympics newsletter, to get the biggest stories from the Games delivered straight to your inbox. Watch the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, beginning July 26, on NBC and Peacock.