The Ritz Paris Sunday Brunch: Worth the Hype?

A few months ago, one of my long-time dreams came true – I finally experienced the infamous Ritz Paris Sunday brunch. After months of being tempted by friends to escape to London or the countryside for a long weekend, I turned them all down. Why? Because for years, since moving to Paris, this brunch has been on my bucket list, and I couldn’t wait any longer to cross it off.

So, what was the experience like? Well, let’s just say it was a mix of absolute luxury, a few hiccups, and an overall feeling of “this could’ve been better.” Let me walk you through it.

The First Impression

We arrived at 2 pm for our reservation and, as expected at such an iconic spot, we had to wait a little bit. No problem, though. But then, when we were seated in their secondary dining room, things took a little turn. The room didn’t quite feel ritzy—it lacked the grandeur I had imagined. I couldn’t help but feel a little let down, considering the price tag.

Now, you’d think a place like the Ritz would roll out the red carpet, especially when they know it’s your first time. We were hoping for a friendly introduction to the menu, a little tour of the luxurious buffet spreads, maybe even a bit of Ritz sparkle. But unfortunately, our waiter didn’t offer any of that. He seemed to be running on fumes and just didn’t bring the energy we were hoping for.

The Switch-Up

But here’s where the experience took a positive turn: after politely asking if we could switch tables, we were moved to the main dining room. Let me tell you – what a difference. This was the Ritz I had been imagining: a majestic space that truly made you feel like you were dining in a palace. Bonus fun fact – it was pretty much empty, which made me wonder why we had been seated in the smaller, less charming room in the first place. But, hey, we were here now and things were looking up.

Our new waiter was everything you’d expect from a Ritz staff member – warm, professional, and knowledgeable. He took us on a mini tour of the buffets, explaining the amazing food options. I was in heaven. From fresh sushi and oysters to beef filet, raw fish, and a delicious selection of French and international delicacies, the spread was nothing short of impressive. And then there were the desserts... The madeleines were hands down my favorite, and I’ll be honest, I ate more than my fair share (and you can, because they let you take as many as you want!).

The Sound of Silence

But just as we started to settle in and truly enjoy the experience, the live pianist – a key part of the ambiance – stopped playing. We were told later that the second seating doesn’t have the live music, which was a bit of a letdown. After all, when you're paying €230 for brunch, you expect the full Ritz treatment, right?

Then, to make things a little more awkward, the staff started removing food from the buffet while we were still eating. No heads-up, no asking if we were finished—just a gradual breakdown of the spread. For the price, this felt rushed, and honestly, a bit off-putting.

Final Thoughts

So, was it worth it? Well, I’m glad I finally ticked off the Ritz brunch from my list, but I can’t say I was fully blown away. For €230, I expected a little more in terms of the overall atmosphere. The food was excellent, no doubt, but the overall experience didn’t live up to the grandeur I had envisioned. It lacked that little extra sparkle, that feeling of luxury you expect when dining at one of the most iconic hotels in Paris.

For those looking to experience the Ritz, I’d recommend afternoon tea or an evening cocktail instead of the brunch. Those experiences felt far more aligned with the true Ritz experience we were hoping for. And if brunch is what you're after, we’ll be trying The Peninsula next, which is said to have the best brunch in Paris.

Would I go back to the Ritz? Absolutely. But next time, it’ll be for something other than the Sunday brunch.