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Photograph credit score: Bofinger

Entering into Bofinger seems like entering into a special period, one lined with white tablecloths, curved banquettes, and a towering stained-glass dome that makes you instinctively decrease your voice, as if out of reverence. Based in 1864, it’s one among Paris’s oldest brasseries and stays a landmark for each its historical past and ambiance. Whereas the gang is combined, I noticed loads of well-dressed Parisians sharing lengthy lunches, vacationers taking within the magnificence, and some enterprise lunches taking place quietly in corners.

This isn’t a spot for a fast chew or an off-the-cuff espresso cease. It’s the form of Parisian restaurant the place the burden of the linen napkins and the magnificence of the service make you decelerate and admire the ritual of eating.

Menu & Alsatian Specialties

The menu was surprisingly in depth. I went for the lunch set menu, which felt like a wise approach to expertise a number of components of their providing with out going à la carte. As a starter, I selected the duck terrine with inexperienced pepper, it got here cool and completely agency, served with a aspect of frivolously dressed greens and toasted bread. Wealthy, peppery, and never overly fatty.

For the primary course, I had the garnished sauerkraut. It was among the best choucroute garnies I’ve tried: a beneficiant heap of cabbage, tangy however not overly acidic, topped with a wide range of meats, Strasbourg sausage, white sausage, cumin sausage, and a slab of smoky pork stomach. It got here steaming scorching, and the portion was virtually intimidating in dimension, however the stability of textures and spices made it oddly comforting.

For dessert, I opted for the chocolate entremets. It was delicately plated and tasted like a mixture of gentle mousse and custard, wealthy however not too candy, the form of end that leaves you glad with out feeling heavy.

Whereas I didn’t go for seafood this time, I observed a number of close by tables ordering towering platters of oysters and prawns. They regarded recent, glistening, and undoubtedly made me curious for a future go to.

Drink & Wine Choice

I paired my meal with a glass of crimson wine. I don’t keep in mind the precise label, nevertheless it was a French basic with a deep, rounded taste that complemented the richness of the primary dish superbly. The wine listing was in depth and arranged by area, with loads of Alsatian whites and glowing choices for seafood pairings or aperitifs. Bofinger looks like the form of place that takes its drinks as significantly as its meals.

Ambiance & Eating Expertise

The setting is undeniably grand, but it doesn’t really feel stiff. The stained-glass dome attracts your gaze up instantly, and the polished wooden particulars and mirrored partitions create an area that feels each intimate and opulent. The lighting is mushy, and even throughout lunch, the house had a hushed magnificence to it.

The service was skilled from begin to end. Our waiter was well mannered, discreet, and dealt with every course with care. Water glasses had been topped up with out asking, and pacing between programs was clean. It by no means felt rushed, nor overly sluggish.

I visited with a buddy for lunch, and whereas it wasn’t overly busy, I think about dinner hours is perhaps extra crowded. I’d undoubtedly advocate making a reservation in the event you’re aiming for night.

What to Order

If it’s your first time, I’d counsel doing what I did, so the lunch set menu provides you an actual really feel for Bofinger’s vary. Whereas Bofinger is a widely known Parisian seafood spot, the duck terrine and choucroute make a basic Alsatian pairing, and the entremets are a good way to finish on a candy notice. If I’m going once more, I’d attempt the seafood platter, which appeared common and visually hanging.

For solo diners, the set menu is right. For teams, the bigger à la carte choices (significantly the sharing platters) look like the way in which to go. And in the event you’re a wine lover, I’d undoubtedly advocate beginning with an aperitif and asking for pairing recommendations.

Location & Sensible Ideas

Handle: 5-7 Rue de la Bastille, 75004 Paris, France

Bofinger is positioned at 5 Rue de la Bastille, proper close to Place de la Bastille and inside strolling distance of the Marais. It’s nicely linked by way of metro (Bastille station is steps away), and it’s an excellent cease both earlier than or after exploring the realm.

Reservations are undoubtedly advisable for dinner, particularly on weekends. For lunch, we walked in and received seated simply, nevertheless it’s at all times safer to name forward. There’s indoor seating solely however with interiors this lovely, you received’t miss a terrace.

Last Takeaway: Why Go to Bofinger

In case you love eating places the place the setting is simply as memorable because the meals, Bofinger is value your time. It’s elegant with out being overbearing, historic with out being dusty. The meals is wealthy, beneficiant, and grounded in custom particularly in the event you stick with the Alsatian specialties. I left feeling like I had skilled a slice of Parisian eating historical past, with out it being a cliché or vacationer entice.

It’s good for a special day, a Parisian meals tour, a romantic lunch, or just for these moments while you need to decelerate and let a gorgeous house and a well-prepared meal remind you why Paris has at all times been the capital of eating.

FAQs

Have they got a costume code?
Sensible informal is ok, however many company costume properly, no shorts or flip-flops.

Is it kid-friendly?
Sure, although the setting is extra formal. It could go well with older kids higher.

Are you able to stroll in with out a reservation?
Sure for lunch, however dinner strongly advisable to ebook forward.

Do they provide vegan choices?
Restricted. This can be a meat- and seafood-forward menu.

Are English menus accessible?
Sure, employees are used to worldwide guests and are joyful to help.

Sources:

Bofinger Paris. (n.d.). Bofinger Paris. Retrieved October 21, 2025, from https://www.bofingerparis.com/en/

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Paris meals excursions. Consuming Europe. Retrieved October 21, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/paris/

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Greatest eating places in Paris. Consuming Europe Weblog. Retrieved October 21, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/best-restaurants-in-paris/

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Seafood eating places in Paris. Consuming Europe Weblog. Retrieved October 21, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/seafood-restaurant-paris/