Pavillon Henri IV: the gourmet, panoramic restaurant in the heart of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

Just steps from the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Pavillon Henri IV stands out as a premier stop, at the heart of French history. Built in the 16th century, this iconic venue occupies what was once the Château-Neuf, of which it remains the main preserved remnant. Perched on its plateau, the site overlooks the Seine loop and offers an unobstructed panorama toward La Défense and the Mont Valérien, hinting at a discreet corner of the Eiffel Tower.

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Not far from the RER A stop (about 30 minutes from Paris), the Pavillon rises as a magical pause between the city and the Domaine national, its doors opening onto the grounds with a special reserved entrance. The majestic atmosphere of this 4-star hotel-restaurant, boasting 42 rooms and suites, captivates from the grand staircase to the velvet lounges, to its terrace, through a sunlit main hall and a hidden chamber where Louis XIV once heard whispers of power.

This hotel-restaurant in Saint-Germain-en-Laye hides a secret room—the birthplace of Louis XIV.
A royal cradle tucked away in a hotel-restaurant! In Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Pavillon Henri IV houses the oratory where Louis XIV was born in 1638. Discover the secrets of this exceptional historic residence and the conditions for visiting its centerpiece. [Read more]

The house has managed to traverse the centuries while preserving its old-world charm, attracting crowned heads, artists and writers. Note that a meal at Pavillon Henri IV carries a certain budget (at least €80 for starter-main-dessert), making it more of a special-occasion destination than a daily haunt, open from Wednesday to Saturday. It is in this preserved and tranquil setting that we tested the house’s table gastronomic offering.

There’s no doubt we’re in the heart of a royal domain. The decor exudes upscale French elegance, with crystal chandeliers, cabriole chairs, and refined tableware, all without giving the impression of a stuffy place.

A very quiet lunch, comfortably seated facing the large windows offering a spectacular view of the Seine valley. In the kitchen, chef Rodolphe Lewandowski works with local, high-quality, seasonal ingredients with rigor and creativity, delivering harmonious and generous creations, because unlike other fine-dining restaurants, the plate is far from empty.

A nod to the venue’s tradition, handed down by the original head chef, Jean-Louis-François Collinet, credited with creating Béarnaise sauce.

From the moment you arrive, the tone is set: the service is attentive and warm, led in particular by Marc, who offers excellent advice and can guide you through the world of wine toward oenology. To accompany the meal, we tried a Saint-Péray 2024, a very fragrant and fruity white wine.

As a starter, seafood takes center stage. Enter the gambas en kadaïf (26€), laid on a bed of wilted spinach and brightened with a lemongrass emulsion. The crustacean flesh is flavorful and delicate, magnified by the small golden nest that forms like angel hair ultra-crispy, contrasting with the vegetable shoots.

We also love the Gravlax of maigre with fresh almond shards (24€), a standout with a silky texture, lifted by the gentle tang of diced Granny Smith apples that wake the palate, and a subtle note of dill.

We move on with the Truffle linguine with burrata, creamy and generous (€36), whose plating adds a playful touch to the scene. The mushroom flavor stays light on the palate, sprinkled around delicious al dente pasta in true Italian style.

For today’s fish special, the yellow pollock fillet (€35) captivates with its perfectly cooked, pearly, ultra-tender flesh that flakes away on its own, paired with a graphically arranged vegetable tian and hazelnut shards that add a satisfying crunch—flavors echoed in the smooth virgin sauce.

To close this delicate meal on a sweet note, the desserts offer plenty of fruitiness. Carefully tailored for allergies, the plate of Fraises à l'huile d'olive (€16) is paired with a surprising lemon-cactus sorbet (instead of yogurt ice cream), wonderfully fresh, at once fruity, fragrant, and feather-light.

Finally, the Fresh Raspberry and Pistachio Tart (€16) caps off the meal in style, featuring a crisp, golden-base biscuit that's still tender, surrounded by a generous halo of crushed pistachios. Each bite delivers the brightness of the berry cream from the base alongside the pistachio crunch.

For tighter budgets, the venue also operates a second, more affordable bistronomic spot: La Table du IV, whose weekly-updated menu runs from 32 to 39 euros (starter, main course and dessert). Closed for the summer break, it will reopen in September and even plans to offer cooking workshops and wine-tasting classes soon!

An historic address that succeeds in reconciling the grandeur of French royal heritage with warm, welcoming cuisine, l'the perfect stop to prolong a lovely stroll in the park of the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.