"Verdict: Since so few of these old-world brasserie icons remain, it’s worth a visit at least once. The spectacle of it all is more interesting than the food. When the literary greats of Paris past weren’t sipping coffee and planning revolutions at one of today’s destination Saint-Germain-des-Prés cafés, they were dining at Lipp. This Alsatian temple of choucroute (sauerkraut) is dans son jus in all its original glory, complete with landmarked Art Nouveau interiors, signs warning diners about appropriate attire (don’t think about showing up in shorts), and waiters sporting black bow ties and numbered pins matching their seniority. They crack jokes, know the unchanging brasserie menu inside and out, and will probably encourage you to try Hemingway’s favorites, the andouillette and sauerkraut, or any of the other menu highlights like celery remoulade, beef tartare, and confit de canard. Between the heaviness of the meal and the lack of flavor complexity, they're fine—just not mind-blowing. Ultimately, you’re here for the legend." - lindsey tramuta