The Île Saint-Louis is largely residential, but its main street, Rue St-Louis en l'Île, boasts a number of restaurants, many with elegant white tablecloths. Some have been there for a long time and have a traditional ambience, while others are more in the nouveau mode.

L'Îlot Vache takes its name from the original name of the island, L'île aux Vaches, or the island of cows. The decor reflects its name. Nearby, Nos Ancetres Les Gaulois tries to create a raucous historic ambience. The more recent Café St-Régis offers bistro fare in a historic setting.

Although the restaurants tend to be fairly expensive, you'll also find crêperies and other informal spots. For something less formal, check out the cafés at the tip of the island, just after you cross the bridge from Île de la Cité. One specializes in Alsatian food, with choucroute (sauerkraut) and other regional dishes.

And of course they all serve delicious Berthillon ice cream. Since 1954 this family business has been making its wonderful artisan ice creams and sorbets, using natural ingredients and traditional methods. When we first enjoyed Berthillon in the 1980s, you could only get their ice cream and sorbets at their one shop (29-31 Rue St-Louis-en-l'Île, Métro Pont-Marie) and there was always a long line.

Some enjoy their Berthillon ice cream while sitting in a café, while others wait in line for theirs.

We recall looking at this tiny scoop of ice cream, comparing it to large American cones, and thinking, "That's all?" Then we tasted it and we understood—the flavor was so intense and wonderful!

Today you can buy Berthillon at a variety of shops and restaurants in Paris, so make sure you try some while you're there. Cafés in the nearby Marais will offer it, as will some shops in areas such as the Rue de Buci or the Rue Mouffetard.

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About Île St-Louis Paris Restaurant Areas Marais Restaurants Restaurants near Place St-Michel Restaurants near Les Halles Paris Café-Bars