Serena Williams has called out a fancy Parisian restaurant for denying her a table when she went out for a meal with her children.

The tennis star has been in Paris watching Olympic events and played a starring role carrying the flame at the opening ceremony.

She posted to her 10.3 million followers on X that she had been refused entry to The Peninsula, which calls itself the world’s leading luxury hotel brand.

The hotel near the Arc de Triomphe boasts six “distinctive” restaurants and lounges, as well as 200 guestrooms and 86 suites.

“Yikes @peninsulaparis,” wrote Williams.

“I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in an empty restaurant of nicer places but never with my kids. Always a first.”

She posted a photo of the hotel’s plaque.

The Peninsula Paris later responded on X and apologised for upsetting the American sporting star.

“Please accept our deepest apologies for the disappointment you encountered tonight,” replied Peninsula Paris.

“Unfortunately, our rooftop bar was indeed fully booked and the only unoccupied tables you saw belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was fully reserved.

“We have always been honoured to welcome you and will always be to welcome you again.”

The sixth-floor L’Oiseau Blanc has an aviation-themed interior and wraparound windows with views over Paris.

Tennis fans were outraged on Williams’ behalf and exclaimed: “It’s Serena Williams – you make a table for her!”

But another social media commentator said: “Wait, are we really telling this place that because she’s a celebrity they should have figured it out?

“No. If they’re booked, they’re booked and it’s entitled as heck to be upset that they didn’t figure it out because ‘I’m special’.”

US athletics legend Carl Lewis, Rafael Nadal, gymnast Nadia Comaneci and Serena Williams on the Seine. Photo: Getty

Williams, an Olympic gold medallist herself, has been spotted in the crowds watching American athletes such as gymnast Simone Biles compete at the Paris Games.

She was also seen was alongside Rafael Nadal, Carl Lewis and Nadia Comaneci when they rode down the Seine wearing life jackets during the Games’ opening ceremony.