This restaurant actually made me get a yelp account. There were 5 of us in our party, a mix of from the UK and from Canada; all of us have been around the block a bit in traveling and eating out. This was not my restaurant choice but that has nothing related to my views. The decor is the traditional French brasserie style that only exists in old movies and places filled with package tourists. But our table was ready and we were seated quickly. But, without asking we all got English menus despite the fact that at least 3 of us would have been comfortable ordering in French. 4 of us ordered the "Aniversary" pre fix and one the regular pre fix. 4 of us had the crab starter. While it tasted fine and the crab was fresh it had too little crab with too much avocado. A smaller entre with the same amount of crab would have been better. My wife ordered an entre which was based on the same cold green pea sauce as was served as the amuse buche which while it was tasty was a bit odd for a restaurant to serve the same thing twice! Of the 3 chateaubriand all were at least one stage rarer than ordered but they were enjoyed. My scallops in bouillabaisse sauce was most disappointing. 4 small scallops in a foamed sauce with some pillars of boiled potatoes. The salt level was beyond anything I have experienced in a restaurant before and the potatoes were so undercooked that I could not cut them with the fish knife I was given. My wife's duck was bland - call it unexceptional. BUT the real reason for the rating is the service we received. Refilling water: ask repeatedly and get the attitude that they don't like tables that drink carafe d'eau instead of bottled water. Be attentive to our wine glasses: I finally started pouring our wine after waiting far too long and when our waiter (and I use that term in only the descriptive sense) saw me pouring he rushed over to wrestle it from my hand. This would have been a bit funny except it did not change his behavior and we continued to be ignored and I did wine service until he noticed again and grabbed the bottle from me a second time. When he cleared the table I told him to inform the kitchen that they were using far too much salt and were under cooking the potatoes in my dish: his response was-"it's a bouillabaisse" as if I had no idea what I was talking about (and i have eaten a lot of bouillabaisse). The deserts were unexceptional. My deconstructed lemon tart was just trying too hard and my wife's creme brûlée was average to be generous. The price with wine for the 5 of us was €370 of which €92 was for 2 bottles of wine (their wine list is overpriced and poor by the way). Overall a place that does not deserve to have as many covers as it does when there are so many better places in Paris: better food; better service; better price performance! It also does not deserve as high of a rating on Yelp as it does. I don't see that our experience was unique in going through the reviews here as there are a few that (unfortunately) had a similar experience to ours. In summary: go here if you want the show and atmosphere you imagine of an old brasserie but don't care about the food, service, or money. Everyone else avoid it; there are so many better choices. read more

It was June 2006, a very hot night. My husband and I were celebrating our engagement and we needed somewhere to eat that was open late. This restaurant was recommended in our Lonely Planet guide. We were not disappointed. The food was great and their staff was very helpful. The only problem was the lack of air conditioning as in most establishments in Europe, they only had the small portable units. Half way though my dinner I felt like I was having a hot flash and quickly walked out the front door for some fresh air. The waiter ran after me, he was worried. When I explained what happened they quickly lifted our table and relocated it next to two units. A lovely night I will never forget. :) read more

Very hyped but Great Maitre'D, waiter, busboy.... Was shocked as i was in France. Flaming creme brulee is a spectacle not to be missed. Seafood platters hang with the best. My Dover Sole was done very well. read more

Typical French portions, on the large side, we opted for 2 appetizers and shared an entree. It was nice that they split the entree my wife and I shared without asking. We were seated upstairs so it was very quiet but we didn't see the grand dining room until we were leaving, definitely would have enjoyed dinner in there. I'm sure there are worse places to eat in Paris but during our stay we did have better. read more

Had an absolutely amazing time. Got the Bream in the seafood sauce and it was heavenly. My starter was the amazing French Onion soup

I was given this recommendation by a friend who had been before and was happy to have tried it. We had a group of 8 which they accommodated quite easily. I had made a reservation prior because I was told it can fill up quickly. The service was great overall. The food was delicious as well. The ambiance is that of a typical French brasserie. The interior is very pretty and upscale. It has a Belle Epoque décor. I had the roasted scallops over mashed potatoes in butter and chives with crispy dried bacon and cabbage puff pastry. It was delicious. I would recommend this to restaurant to anyone going to Paris. read more

This was recommended by a native so we expected something special. Food was ok but nothing to write home about. A bit snobby considering the quality. Beautiful restaurant, but if you want "great" go elsewhere. read more

We came here for my son's birthday. They ran out of his choice of main dish which was the beef option. Then I found plastic wrapping in my onion soup. The waiter quickly offered to get me a new one, but I had lost my appetite by then. The service was fast, but mediocre. They did not seem very apologetic over the plastic in the soup. I will not be returning; Less than average in food, service, and ambience. read more

Pleasantly surprised at the food quality, price and service. The onion soup is a meal in itself, so don't add a large dinner if you try the soup. It was delicious. The chateaubriand was cooked perfectly. Nice atmosphere. I recommend the entire package. read more

Brasserie Bofinger - The onion soup. - Brasseries Near Me - Paris, 75

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My wife and I visited Brasserie Bofinger on a recommendation from a friend who lived in Paris and grew up in France. We went on a Thursday night around 7:30pm and it was actually not very crowded at all when we arrived, however the restaurant quickly filled up by 8/830pm so I would definitely recommend a reservation. Service was average for a French restaurant (at times very slow and had to waive down the waitor) however the waitstaff was very friendly although most did not speak English. Food was very good and decent size portions. We had the escargots and foie gras for entrees (appetizers) and then the Beef with Pinot Noir Sauce and the Filet with a green pepper sauce and Potatoe au gratin. For dessert we shared the Creme Brulee. Everything was excellent! Definitely recommend the prix fix menu as it was a good value for what you received. read more

would give this place a higher rating but the service is biased toward Francophone clientele and overall slow! we spoke French and were seated rather immediately while a group of Americans were waiting for over an hour. Steaks were tasty. Potato gratin was delicious. But service terrible so would not go back! read more

Terrible service!!!! Some tables had at least a couple of waiters - our table had me waiter who disappeared for long periods of time and was not very helpful or nice to us. The food was decent - we had the half lobster, half crab, etc. I know Rick Steve recommends it in his Paris book, but I'd skip it! read more

Come here every time I'm in Paris and am never disappointed . Old world charm an delish food. The service is attentive but not intrusive. Love this place read more

This uber busy location is more of a food factory than a fine dining location. The servers are bustling about, the customers are drinking and dining, it's out of a Renoir painting. Sadly the food was just OK, oysters tasty, mignonette fair. The Charcroute Garni was also good but nothing to write home about. Perhaps it's the concept of hot dog on a plate in a moderately pricey restaurant. Since this place has been doing what it does for longer than the town I live in has been incorporated, they must be doing something right. Just go in knowing it's touristy. read more

You really should have a reservation to eat here, but they were nice enough to seat me. Nice staff, speak English pretty well. Food was good. Seafood based. Is a fancier restaurant but prices not too bad. read more

Margaret Downey, party on 13/04/02 Everything was perfect, the meal, the atmosphere the attention of the waiters, quite simply the best meal of my life, and the Birthday Cake was out of this world. What more can I say, except that I'll be back very soon. "Mes compliments a votre personnel". read more

Votre merveilleux restaurant Je suis Anglaise. Je m'appelle Margaret Downey. J'ai visite Bofinger encore un fois le 19 septembre. C'etait magnifique. Le repas, l'ambiance et le service etait parfait. C'est mon restaurant favorit de Paris. Je retourne une autre fois bientot. Merci read more

A nice brasserie Food was good but you would expect more for what you pay, the service is very french in the bad sense, it's conveniently located in the bastille, the ambiance looks typical of the paris'old brasserie read more

Outstanding authentic Parisienne Brasserie. Decor is breathtaking with excellent service. Food is remarkable at affordable budget.

We were seated upstairs and completely ignored. While we attempted to celebrate what is wonderful about this storied place, the service killed it for us. read more

Though the service was attentive and the surroundings elegant, this was easily the worst meal I had in Paris. The entree was marbled beef and small vegetables in gelatin with horseradish sauce and was okay, but far from amazing. The plat was pan-fried shrimp and salmon with the sauce tasty, but not a stand-out and the salmon so dry that I didn't take a third bite. The shrimp were great tasting. My friend said that the meal would be expensive but she didn't warn me that it would be so disappointing. read more

Had the shrimp been served three days earlier,when fresh,and the sole fifteen minutes earlier,when still hot(the plate,as well was cold) we could have added some stars for the quality of the fish....I can't picture them putting those shrimp down in front of French diners. read more

Good quality, lush dining room with beautiful stained-glass dome ceiling, and impressive service. The manager of our charming Marais hotel made this recommendation and told us to look for BB's maitre d' and to mention his name. What came out of this was such a procession, I was almost embarrassed! The maitre d' was SO excited to have us, he threw his arms in the air and commissioned the bartender to immediately pour boyfriend and me 2 glasses of champagne on the house. While several people stood by waiting for their tables, we were promptly seated at one of the larger tables overlooking the dining room. I felt like I was holding town hall, especially since everyone had watched the excited maitre d' (whose name has unfortunately passed me) regaling us to our seats like we were some sort of celebrity. I realized how much can happen within a Parisian dining room, witnessing all kinds of emotions from tears to passion. Well, at least between my foie gras, creamed soup, duck confit, bottles of wine, and souffle. All French food gets tiring in my opinion, but I felt that BB's dishes were executed with more refinement than other brasseries. Maybe I'm a tad biased by the special treatment, but it was an enjoyable meal nonetheless. read more

Good choice for a nice Sunday lunch. Reserve ahead if possible, and do ask to sit on the ground floor, if possible.

I visited this wonderful delight in Nov on a Gate 1 tour for our farewell dinner in Paris. All aspects of the visit pleased me. Food, service, amenities, architecture, everything. Our group was in a first floor private dining room up the amazing curving stairway, past the balcony level with the breathtaking Art Deco stained glass oval ceiling. I had to pause our group as we passed so the view could be appreciated. Again, food, beyond compare, service, above reproach. Can't wait to return, and I will. There is so much more of France I need to see and I will. Checked off many things but not all. Loved, loved, loved Paris! read more

After almost a month in Paris, this restaurant provided the best service, so that alone deserves a five star rating. The onion soup, and ham and melon, were quite good. And, apparently, the floating island was the most traditional we have seen so far. (Although, it could have used a bit more creme anglaise.) read more

The best of the brasserie's i've been to so far in Paris. Elegant and great seating area. Didn't make a reservation but the maitre d was able to accommodate us-- the restaurant fills up quickly and i think it's better next time to make reservations. Amazing for the family--offered a kids menu and they gave him a colouring book and special kids drink before we ordered anything. Oysters were lovely, steak was done perfectly. My son actually ate most of the salmon for him! Great service. Highly recommend if need a nice Parisian brasserie. read more

Never ever again... It was my favourite Restaurant in Paris and for more than 10 years it was the highlight of every trip to Paris. It all changed this year. The staff was very unprofessional, the choucroute and the chèvre chaud were overcooked and dry and it lost all the style. I sent them a private mail and never got an answer. So they are not interessted in keeping their customers. It is so difficult to build up a good reputation and it is so easy to destroy it. read more

Wonderful good experience. Fish and meat were very fresh, sauces balanced and vegetables tender. Brought the family and they had special (kid-friendly AND gourmet) kids menus activity books and wooden colored pencils! We all were very impressed and the wait staff was very friend. Highly recommend! read more

We were so excited to be able to eat at one of Paris oldest brasseries. I had booked a month in advance and requested a seat near the glass dome downstairs. We also made sure we were dressed nicely for the occasion, but on entering the restaurant this quickly became apparent wasn't enough. Like many other reviews I have seen, we were quickly and rudely ushered up the stairs by the maitre'd and sat in the corner of a backroom away from the fashionable Parisians downstairs. This, we quickly realised was the "tourist room". The waiter eventually gave us some menus after about 10 minutes of waiting and then ignored us for another 10 without offering us any drinks or the wine menu. As the menu was written entirely in French I wanted to ask a couple of questions about some items to have them translated so I knew what I was ordering. Again when asked, the waiter was rude and impatient. I almost walked out when another waitress came over to serve the wine. She had the nerve to actually shout at me for not "tasting it properly" saying to swirl the glass first. The whole room of other diners turned round to stare at this point causing embarrassment for me and my girlfriend. The wine glasses themselves also had to be changed as they were filthy as was my girlfriend's cutlery. All the dinner plates were scratched and chipped. After an unmemorable first course of foie gras pate that was just thrown on a plate with a sprig of parsley we were served a crab lasagne that although was tasty, was also full of crab shell so every other bite was like eating sand. After this we couldn't wait to leave, so after eventually being presented with a hefty bill of EUR75 imagine our surprise to see a queue of people out of the door waiting to get a table! We then realised that they seem to live off the hype of being the "oldest brassiere in Paris" so they don't need to care about your customers, people will flock here anyway. We decided that the only way you're going to get good food and service in here is if you're a French president, a film star, or a fashionable Parisian with more money than sense. I could have paid half the amount for a much better pub meal in the UK, with better service. This brasserie was, I thought, built upon the tradition of reasonably priced good food and service. Sadly it seems that in this case the traditions have been long forgotten. read more

This was an interesting place, both in terms of food and overall atmosphere. The food, which was Alsatian, was amazingly good. The atmosphere was breathtaking...it's a huge place full of stained-glass, chandeliers, dark wood, and other Belle Époque accoutrements. The staff were extremely attentive and pleasant. I recommend the foie gras and Choucroute Royale Bofinger ! read more