Are These Classic Paris Spots Worth The Hype?
"Verdict: It could have been a tourist trap, but loyal regulars, enthusiastic staff, and a genuinely good menu of simple classics have spared it from such a reputation. Le Procope is the city’s very first café (est. 1686) which means it was also the first to serve coffee, brought over from the Ottoman Empire. Over the years, it became the meeting place for every type of elite Saint-Germain-des-Prés local, including literary types, philosophers, and the most famous early American in Paris, Benjamin Franklin. The original aesthetic of marble tables, large mirrors, crystal chandeliers, and intricate woodwork has gotten many upgrades over time, and the newest feature is a ground-floor tea salon for coffee and snacking, where you’ll jockey for plush sofa space with tourists and neighborhood retirees who come to dine weekly. Based on the history alone, it’s understandable to assume Le Procope is a “bonafide tourist trap.” But cheerful, helpful servers and a menu of reliable classics like cheesy onion soup, sole meunière, steak au poivre, and a particularly flavorful pâté en croûte, make it worth a visit." - lindsey tramuta
