The Bofinger website invites patrons to "come discover the refined quality of a traditional Alsatian meal." Well, what part of "refined" or "traditional" involves serving mustard in little Heinz bottles? In a nation known for its moutardiers? This is just one example of what one previous commentator referred to as the "Cheesecake Factory" vibe of this place. Perhaps Brasserie Bofinger was refined and traditional in 1864. 150 years later, this supposedly venerable institution disappoints at every turn, from indifferent service to lackluster food. read more

I was hesitant to try this place out based off past reviews, but I had a wonderful experience. We were greeted and seated right away even though we had no reservations. Our server was very polite and provided English menus without us asking. I ordered oysters and salmon from the 'appetizer and entree' menu, while my mom ordered the special (steak frites) and creme brûlée from the 'entree and dessert' menu. Everything was prepared to perfection. We enjoyed a leisurely dinner over beers as the restaurant filled up. Although it did get noisy in the restaurant, it was never overwhelming. Lovely atmosphere with a rich history. I'd go back and recommend to anyone visiting! read more

Beautiful brasserie. Had the girolle mushrooms and the veal kidney vol-au-vent - both really good. Service was a bit rushed at first, but the maître d'hotel chilled out soon thereafter, and both she and the server were gracious and professional. Go for the fin de siècle setting and great old-school food. If you want cutting-edge, go elsewhere. read more

A spacious and beautiful restaurant .The food and service were excellent. There is a great variety of meat and seafood dishes and a nice selection of wines is available by the glass, carafe or bottle. If you wish there is also an excellent selection of desserts after your meal. I had the soup a l'onion as an appetizer; it was outstanding. For my main dish I had the roasted chicken which was excellent. The rolls we're excellent and accompanied by an excellent French butter. I enjoyed my meal at Bofinger and I plan to return again. read more

Many restaurant in Paris do not have English menu unless tourist spot. This restaurant in Bastille area has English menu so I gladly came in. But my waiter, Claude L. didn't want to talk to me or was shy or he was the only one who can speak English very little. All orders of drink, appetizer, main dish and desert were taken from other waiters (yes, other 3 waiters) and this old guy just bluntly delivered my food in my table. When he finally took my card, I asked if he can speak English and he said yes with a smile. Food itself was okay but I felt being ignored during my entire dining experience. I reported to manager at reception and he took it seriously and asked me to wait while he would check with this old and experienced waiter, Claude L. but I can't stay any longer. Not sure if he has racial preference and/or gender preference as he was very interactive with my next table old French couple. I just wish he or restaurant manager informed me in advance his English was limited so other staffs will help my order. And I should have corrected his bad behavior in the very beginning when he tossed my bread to my table without saying anything nor any smile. Anyone who want to try this nice Alsace food specializing French restaurant in Bastille area, please make sure who is your waiter. read more

Unless you really like Alsatian food, come here for the lovely seafood and one of the most beautiful restaurant in Paris. But why oh why must ordinary onion soup always be called "French onion soup." And just what would you expect in a restaurant on Paris? Just make myself clear should I write "Paris, France"? read more

5 star service, 4 star food. The premier set, €60 is overpriced. Kraken champagne was alright. Our waiter was energetic, very friendly, and cool. Starters : excellent oysters; succulent and fresh. No lemon needed, just take them neat. Sauerkraut- the seafood version was complex and very well portioned, 3 different kinds of fish and a small lobster. Regular version - so much sauerkraut!!! A mountain, a sight to behold. Beer beef stew was excellent, imparted sweetness to the entire pot. My favorite dessert was the Carribean pineapple rum chocolate cake, what a joyous meld of complementary flavors and textures. Creme brulee is your safe if unadventurous choice. read more

Located just right across from our hotel, Hotel Original Paris, Bofinger is a decent restaurant in the Bastille area. Moreover, it has been mentioned in a few of the travel guide books, so we thought we would give it a try. Without reservation, the waiting for us was about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, I had a glass of Chablis and my partner had a cup of Goldberg draft beer. We were shown to our table in the back of the restaurant. The restaurant was very crowded; every table was filled up. There was a number of American tourists surrounding our table area. Yikes! Not a good sign! Wherever there are tourists, there will be (not always) bad food. Anyhow, I ordered soupe d'oignont (onion soup), escargots (6 pieces), and lamb stew. The onion soup was good but loaded with way too much cheese. The escargots were salty and a bit too "fresh," as if those snails were just killed off from the pavement seconds ago. Don't get me wrong, I love escargots! The idea is to mask the earthy flavor with herbs and garlic. The lamb stew was also salty, so dipped it with the bread. My travel companion ordered the $35 menu, which included an entree (appetizer in French), a plat (main course) of traditional sauerkraut, and a dessert. For the appetizer, he got an ice bed of six oysters. According to him, they were good. The traditional sauerkraut plate is huge with sausages, a thick cut of ham, and another thick cut of pork belly, all placed on top of a pile if sauerkraut and two boiled potatoes. He ate it all! Pig! I tried the ham, and it was so salty. For dessert, he got vanilla ice cream in raspberry gazpacho. As for me, I got creme brûlée, which was just OK. The service was average. We witness a verbal fight between waiters. One of the waiters, who's also a busboy, was really pissed. He slammed the whole tray of glasswares on the table and cussed out his co-worker, who looks like Peter Lorre ad who's pretty bossy. The glasses broke and shrapnels were everywhere on the floor nearby our table. Interesting evening! read more

I really like this Brasserie! We used to go there when we lived in Paris, and we love to return when we go back now on holidays. I like the ambiance (love it!) and the food. Their onion soup is very nice, and I think we have always liked everything we ordered (no disappointments). Good quality / price equation. read more

TO AVOID - Despite being informed at the begining of the course that my boyfriend was deadly alergic to mustard, the waiter did not check with the chef and the first meal had mustard on it ! The waiter didn't even appologize and as we were leaving he and his 'boss' tried to make us pay the wine on which we did not even drink one glass..... It is just inacceptable and dangerous to act this way, they should be ashamed of theirselves !! -- A EVITER Alors que nous avions prévenu le serveur dès notre commande que mon ami était mortellement allergique à la moutarde, le premier plat qui nous a été servi en contenait !! Le serveur ne s'est même pas excusé et nous a indiqué ne pas avoir prévenu la cuisine... Alors que nous partions dans la précipitation, le même serveur et son "chef" ont voulu nous faire payer la bouteille de vin, dont nous n'avions même pas bu un verre !!! C'est un comportement inadmissible et dangereux, ils devraient avoir honte. read more

They try their best, but it's just way too popular. Don't come here on a Saturday without reservations. We did in January (not the most busy time) and waited for 60 minutes for a table at 9 pm (sat at 10). We were told it'd be 20 minutes. Food is good but not good enough to be worth it, unless you're dying for the Alsace specialties. read more

Ok, so after our most recent visit I have to knock them down a star... here's why... We were put upstairs and were alone for 20 or so minutes before they started seating others there. There were tables downstairs that were available. I can understand it if they were reserved, which could have been the case. Not the reason for the deducted star though. The deduction came because having been here twice in less than 6 months I can actually compare visits. This visit should have brought me a more well done Chateaubriand, however, the chef obviously only cooks to one level of 'doneness' and that is medium rare. I forgave it last time thinking it was probably my mistake for ordering it medium instead of more well done, but not so. This time we ordered our steak medium WELL and it still came medium rare. read more

This was my first meal in Paris, ever! I will always remember it. My expereice was definitely 5 stars, but after spending a week dining in Paris, the food was 4 stars. It was such an incredible experience that I started crying at the end, haha. Sat down and of course I ordered foie gras w/brioche toast. Delish. For the life of my I can't remember the main, maybe because I was in ecstasy (not ON it ;)) But, I do remember we had a cheese desert: Vanilla and blackcurrant vacherin... oh my, heaven. A good experience, would definitely go back, especially since they are open for lunch and dinner. :) read more

This is my 3rd visit to my favourite Brasserie in Paris, just off the Bastille landmark. I even have them on speed dial on my mobile and always recommend this restaurant when I have family or friends visiting the city!! Service can often be a little chaotic at times, but always pleasant. The highlight for me however, is the grand decor and the set menus which I find to be fantastic value at around EUR30 for a 3 course meal. I only managed 2 courses of 6 fresh oysters and a main of roasted duck with olive polenta on this recent visit, but can still visualise the previous dining experience there last year... 3 courses made up of a sea bream terrine, confit of duck, and finished off with profiteroles with chocolate sauce poured over the top. Not what was on the list of choices in the set menu, but one which the restaurant kindly allowed us to trade in. I cannot recommend this Brasserie highly enough...but you'll just have to trust me on this and give it a go yourself the next time you're in Paris. Bookings recommended especially on the weekends. read more

1st off, Brasseirie Bofinger is one of the few good restaurants open on Sunday in Paris. Great staff, good food and good service. I will mention that France is not in a hurry in anything unless it's closing the door for them to be off. You are going to have a little bit of a wait no matter where you go to eat so that being said, they were a bit slow but I put that down to "so is everyone else". read more

Oh, Bofinger, how we love you! We came here in 2006 and were seated without a reservation. I had a life-changing sole meuniere here, just like Julia Child. I even saved the label from the bottle of wine we got. So we came back here this May and weren't disappointed. (We made a reservation this time.) My husband got the razor clams (delicious!) and I got the onion soup. Spectacular, although they had to heat up the soup as it was a bit tepid. Great cheese and broth, though. I got the sole again, and although I ran into some scales (ew!), it was still tasty. My husband got the Bofinger special, which was a lot of pork - shank, smoked pork, sausages, saukerkraut, the works! My goodness, it was a lot of food and so delicious. Service was impeccable, as always. None of that awful, dismissive service you get being an English-speaker that happens so often in Paris (and it happened to us a couple of times, once in a very high end restaurant). No, these guys take their jobs seriously and want you to be satisfied. We were. And add to that air conditioning (!) - it was so humid and sweaty in May (ack!) - and a completely stunning interior with a stained glass dome and a beautiful mosaic on the floor in front of the bathrooms. This is the one restaurant in Paris I will always come back to. read more

Whilst living in Paris for 2 months over the summer last year, I came across a blog post eulogising this small, unassuming restaurant in the Bastille district of Paris. Not one to be put off by a bad reputation of the surrounding area, I was lucky enough to venture twice and was delighted both times. Overlooked by it's big sister restaurant 'Le Bofinger', Le Petit Bofinger has a lot to live up to in reputation, but does so fluidly with its excellent prix fixe menus, which either offer 2 courses and a glass of wine for 20 Euros, or 3 courses and wine for slightly more. The restaurant was packed to the rafters both times and great proof of the worth of word of mouth; there were people of many nationalities enjoying their meals there and the atmosphere was lively and bustling. The food is excellent and cooked to the high standards of what we have come to expect from French cuisine. The only one complaint I would have is the smoky interior, which provides a bit of a disappointment for those who are non-smokers (and they do exist in France, I promise). The tables are so close together that I did very frequently bang elbows, or get smoke in my eyes and various other social faux-pas. But only the French, with their slight arrogance and delight for fine cuisine could pull it off. read more

Bofinger was recommended by a colleague who had lived in France so we thought is was a must do. The experience, however, left a lot to be desired. We arrived and were immediately seated by a friendly waiter and our drinks and food order taken swiftly. The food is expensive but the Prix fix menus are well priced so we ordered off those. We ordered Pea cappuccino and asparagus soup. The pea was pretty weak and had squirty cream and a wafer which weren't great. Asparagus soup was good though! Unfortunately, it took a long time to clear our plates. For mains we both had the duck breast with polenta and veg. Very nice and served quickly. Again a long time to clear plates. Desert was a creme brûlée which was standard and nothing special. My girlfriend got strawberry gazpacho with vanilla ice cream. She described it as a strawberry lolly that had melted...and I had to agree when tasting it. It was also the size of our soup starter (quite big). It was also served messily. We then had to wait some 30 mins for the bill and weren't offered more wine or even water. All in all, friendly but poor service and the food distinctly average. I think you need to go for the fish platters to have a great experience. And perhaps the service quality is linked to how much they know you'll spend... Not going back! read more

The restaurant itself was pretty cool to visit since it's a well-know traditional French brasserie. The dining area was spacious with a beautiful dome ceiling. The service was excellent. Both waiters were very attentive. I had the French Onion Soup as I was determined to try as many as I can. It paled in comparison to Bistro du Perigord. The broth was salty and dark and had too much cheese. It didn't stand out from the French onion soup I had in the States. Since they were famous for their Alsatian cuisine, I ordered one of the sauerkraut plates with sausage, frankfurter, duck and pork. They give you a lot of food but nothing stood out as memorable. Come for the ambiance and experience... the food is good, overrated for the price. I would try other smaller restaurants around Paris. read more

Enjoyed this place last night. Fresh seafood, wine and tasty menu. Make reservations or arrive early. I personally enjoyed fresh seafood platters and everything else that we ordered was extra. Big plates. Decor-check out the urinals-husband reccs it! read more

I am visiting Paris and made reservations to eat here, because my mom had heard great things about this place in the U.S. PLEASE BE WARNED THEY DO NO SERVE BLACK PEOPLE. If you are black don't even think about getting decent service or being serviced at all. It is what it is. Just like in the U.S., you will run into Parisians with their particular views or assumptions on blacks. No need to get bent out of shape just keep it moving. We ended up at a wonderful Asian restaurant close by and I saved myself $170. Cest la vie!!!!!!! read more

Do not sit upstairs as it can get really hot. Chilled whites made up some, oysters made up some more. Food feels like chain restaurant food. Nothing spectacular but also nothing to complain. Mediocre . read more

I heard nothing but great things about this place. The quality of the food was poor to put it frankly. Great service, knowledgable and friendly staff, good wine selection... just really bad food, sorry! read more

I ordered the French Onion soup and pepper steak. It tastes really good and will definitely go back.

We wanted a confirmed reservation for Christmas dinner and so booked Bofinger a few months ahead. We confirmed twice prior to arrival, once via our hotel concierge. When we arrived Christmas evening on time, they couldn't find our reservation anywhere ! I should note we didn't become ugly Americans about it and two of our group speak French. After we looked up the confirmation number on email, they finally agreed to seat us. In Siberia. Literally a huge room upstairs to ourselves. Yes, we were a party of 6 including two children but this was beyond arrogant to assume we would put up with this. The downstairs was " fully booked " even though it never filled up the entire evening. Finally we negotiated a table upstairs with other actual diners. As per the other review here from 12/30/14, we got the cold shoulder 30 minute service wait. Unlike them, we did not move on as we were not sure we could find another spot on Christmas night. I am missing the charm of the place. They look like they are on auto-pilot living off their reputation. The food was not great and the service was truly awful. Never falling for the fake romance of this place again. Many better choices in Paris. read more

First time in Paris and made a reservation here for after the opera. We came in a little late, reservation at 10 but didn't come in till 10 15 since the opera ended a little late. We were seated right when we got in and given menus but that was about it for the service. No water no bread and no wait staff to take our order after 30 mins of waiting. No one even greeted us at our table. We saw 4 to 5 other tables filled up and they got bread right away, though the servers were still absent. The people next to us asked for the check and every time I tried to get the waiters attention he brushed me off and just walked away. I mean I don't speak French but that doesn't mean the service has to be this terrible. We sat there for 30 mins and tried multiple times to get the waiters attention so that we can order but with no luck. So we picked up our stuff and left. As we left another waitress that was standing at the entrance near our table kept saying bye and kept repeating eat after we didn't acknowledge as if we were served any food. But if they were attentive at all , any of the three staff members at the front would have helped us with our order. Overall very very disappointed and annoyed about this place. Didn't get to try the food, service was completely terrible and ruined our entire night. We left and went to a cafe near our apartment and got seated served and had our food within 20 mins, I would give this place negative stars if it was available. If you don't know how to yell and get attention from servers in French then don't even bother with this crappy place. read more

I would give this place a 4 stars if they served better. We came here as a group and made reservation for 3 nights. The food was really good for the first night. The menu had 3 courses and each course had 3 different choices. Good! But then, the ball started to fall down on us on the 2nd night we came back. Yep, they served us with EXACT same old menu, not a little bit change. WOW, seriously, they would think their customers would want to eat the same menu for 3 night straight? We called a waitress to ask, she said that what they're going to serve us for the night. Our tour guide talked to the manager and they finally agreed to change just part of couple dishes (STEAK; and only replaced sauerkraut with GRITS or RICE). Not fully satisfy but satisfy us enough.... NOT wanting to come back for the 3rd night. Who would? We tried: - Foie gras de canard (duck foie gras): it was good, but it has a little strong smell for me. - Velouté d'artichauts bretons (breton cream of artichokes soup): my favorite. It was really good. - Terrine de chamgignons à l'estragon (Mushroom terrine with tarragon): I only tried a tiny little piece out of my sister plate. It was good, but it was too little to remember how good it was. - Cuisse de canard confite sur lit de choucroute (duck confit served with sauerkraut): the duck was pretty good, but the sauerkraut was something that none of us can finish. Maybe, we American have different taste of it. It was our least favorite, I can bet. - Choucroute garnie, Francfort, saucisse Jurassienne, lard fumé, côte salée et pomme vapeur (sausages and sauerkraut): just ok. Nothing for big woohoo or wow wow about. Well, it's just grease sausages and some hard to swallow sauerkraut. - Creame brulee with vanilla was soooo good. So as Floating Island with caramelized almonds (lle floattante aux amandes caramélisées). My sister also tried Steak for the 2nd night (which was offered as an alternative). She requested medium rare, but it came out well done. It was so thin and so dry with rubber taste. Not good. So, I would say that how European steak would be (we ordered rare veal in Bosnia-Hern. , it was also thin and came out as medium rare). I'm so glad I took picture of the menu, otherwise I wouldn't remember the name. read more

If you're in the main dining room at Brasserie Bofinger, you'll find yourself in a great setting for standout oysters followed by standard brasserie food. While the kitchen hits a few high notes, at the end of the night it will probably be the decor that was the highlight of your meal. read more

Classic Parisian Brasserie. Delicious, generous sized portions. I was there with a large group and I would say they are surprisingly good for large parties. Food came out simultaneously and was appropriately hot. I'm not sure what their specialty is, but I thought the squash soup was wonderful-esp since I'm not a bit squash fan. read more

What a shame that such a lovely & historic restaurant has fallen so far. We had dinner there last week . The host-greeting was surprisingly cold & uninviting considering the half empty restaurant. We were given a table next to a service area so we asked to change....shown to a much nicer table and were happy. For the high prices, the service & food simply did not match-up. They are not the expert professional waiters that used to be there...the food was not served hot & the server had no idea who got what. No attempt to refill wine or even ask if we needed anything. Save your money & memories & go elsewhere as there are many better bistros nearby with better food & service at lower prices. alan s. (New York) read more

First class place in Paris. Assuming you understand French restaurants. This isn't a Huston surf and turf joint. So...if you dress in tattred jeans and a big logo sweatshirt with white Nike sneakers you are going to be treated...less well. Having said that, the downstairs dining room is where you want to be. I've eaten up and down. Up is a bit lonely and slower. Bluntly, the lower level staff is upstairs and they share their frustrations with you in their own, French way. Have your hotel concierge book you in and ask for the main dining room at that time. Fish was great. Lamb was great. The Rhum BaBa was fantastic. Oh, and the dishes that include sauerkraut come with a lot of it. All good. read more

Brasserie Bofinger - Rum Baba. Full bottle of rum included for "adding to the dessert" as you see fit. Try and find that in an American Restaurant. Fantastic. - Brasseries Near Me - Paris, 75

Best meal we had in Paris.. Service was good, great ambiance and decent prices. Beautiful space they have here for a restaurant. Stuck with vegetarian and seafood options everything was delicious. read more

Classic bistro in a nice atmosphere. Oysters were really nice and the service was good even though they brought the wrong receipt (would have been an additional 40 euro if I would have missed...) but it was easy fixed. For main course I had the duck which was really tasty. Overall a really nice place just shy of a five star rating. read more

This still is the best Choucroute Garnie for me in Paris. I've been going here for years and each time it is just as good as the last. Part of the chain that also owns Chez Julien, Boeuf Sur Le Toit, and many other Brasseries in Paris, Bofinger delivers a great Choucroute. The sauerkraut is tender and subtle, tasting of the pork it cooked with. The meats are not overcooked. The only thing I could find wrong was having to ask for butter twice and not receiving it. Small change for the great meal and company on either side of the table! read more

Great meal, Amazing room, top notch service not too uptight. Loved the fois gras, great fruit gezpacho, brilliant onion soup.

Our first stop in Paris. The charcuterie was fantastic as always. The plats de mers was decent of course. The service was attentive to my family, even my six year old daughter who got coloring pages in addition to a great meal. read more

Our party of 5 enjoyed our visit. Formal service, lovely presentation, and a beautiful dining room. The food in general was done well if not exactly memorable. read more

My husband and I dined here by accident. It was late and they welcomed us in every though we were dressed in jeans. I ordered salmon topped with a chestnut lemon butter and mashed potatoes even though my meal came with roasted potatoes and carrots. It was the most tender and juicy salmon I've had at a restaurant. My husband ordered a steak and it came with fries and a tasty spread for the steak. The steak was almost phenomenal. The service was great, the waiter could tell we didn't speak French and gave us a full English menu. Overall great experience; definitely would go there again! Also had great wine. About $85 in American money for what we had but it was definitely worth it and my husband agreed read more

One fabulous place in the very busy Bastille. Since France has lowered the VAT down 10%, this restaurant has honored the VAT and lowered their prices. Prix Frix options: 1. a. entree + plat + wine (~ 1/2 carafe)/beer glass / or 1/2 bottle of mineral water OR b. plat + dessert + above drink options 18EUR + good baguette and good service 2. entree + plat + dessert + drink options above. 25 EUR This might be one of the best options you will fine with no skimming on the food quality. It's easy to find, right off of Rue de la Bastille, caddy corner to the opera. My husband and friend both had a pumkin soup with creme fraiche. I had their typical salad with poached egg all for entrees. Then my friend had a mashed potator decorated over rabbits in a bernaise type of sauce, my husband had a cod-like fish with veggies in a balsamic reduction, I had a salmon over sauerkraut with a butter sauce. I lived in Germany for almost 2 years and never thought I would love saukraut with my fresh and well-prepared salmon. We ended it with amazing vanilla bourbon creme brulee. You will not be disappointed. The service is friendly. The food portions are plentiful. The restaurant is just excellent. read more

Recommended by our hotel. Across street from its pricier cousin the Brasserie Bofinger, but shares the same chef and some menu items. We opted for price fixe menu at 35 Euros which included appetizer, entree and desert and wine. Good value and food was very good, especially the duck entree. read more