Brasserie Lipp Paris

My husband and I (New Zealanders, admittedly) have just come back from Paris, which we absolutely loved as I am sure every visitor must, it really is the most wonderful city in the world. But I would suggest avoiding Brasserie Lipp, Boulevard St-Germain, a real tourist trap with shockingly bad food, although the waiter was entertainingly bad-tempered! Other postings on this site (and Lonely Planet) suggest it as an authentic old Parisian eating place, but avoid any mention of the food, for good reason!

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This exemplifies how an old local institution (which must still have its regulars, which must be treated decently to remain regular clients) gets presented in all guide books as %26quot; an authentic old Parisian eating place%26quot; and consequently ends up being ruined by mass tourism. This is is true of other established restaurants in the Saint-Germain. Tourism is self-destructive.

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Exactly.. People make the place and a place with only tourists cannot be an authentic parisian eatery...

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They are AWFUL there. Just mean spirited and awful. I see the sign and cringe.

I%26#39;ve always said so on this site, sorry you%26#39;ve missed it...

Les

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BUT, there are plenty of parisian restaurants and cafes that are %26quot;institutions%26quot; catering to many tourists, where the waiters remain civil. Even if the food isn%26#39;t good, at least the service is friendly. This place is a complete Parisian caricature.

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Les:

Are there any other such places to avoid in St. Germain? Can you provide me some names (or refer me to an earlier post). We will be staying in that area.

Thanks

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otoroa --

Thanks for the heads up --

This is one of the reasons that i listen at the door before entering any eatery in Paris - if I hear nothing but French, I%26#39;m in like Flynn - but if I hear English or German - easy to pickout in a crowd - I go on my way, still searching. %26quot;Tourist%26quot; food is not my idea of a great meal.

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I think it is unfair to blame tourists for the downturn in this establishment. There are plenty of places in Paris that are featured in guidebooks that are of great quality and atmosphere. I find it a convenient cop-out to blame the downturn of this place on tourists- but last time I checked, tourists don%26#39;t own it or staff it.

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In that general area, the Cafe Deux Magots and the Flore are both very touristy, yet French people go there too. It%26#39;s a huge mix. They are historical cafes, where the 20th century philosophers would congregate. But the food isn%26#39;t bad, I like the coffee, and the people watching is great. And the waiters, while cool, aren%26#39;t rude.

So I can%26#39;t think of anything around there that is as bad as the Lipp.

Les

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Thanks, I had both those places on my list since they are so convenient and both feature prominently in the early 20th century literary scene.

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%26lt;%26lt;but last time I checked, tourists don%26#39;t own it or staff it.%26gt;%26gt; No, but they do keep it going. Restaurants that become very popular with tourists often let quality slide, increase prices beyond reason, or just stop caring, because they can and because it improves profits.

That said, I still like Lipp from time to time and know that many of my neighbors, do too.