Le Procope — Restaurant in Paris

A Timeless Parisian Experience

Le Procope offers a unique blend of history and gastronomy, making it a memorable stop in Paris. The interior is stunning, with elegant decor that spans three floors, each with its own atmosphere. We dined in the back room near the alley, known to be the oldest part of the establishment, adding an extra layer of charm to our meal.

What We Ate: We ordered a selection of dishes, including escargots and French onion soup to start, followed by beef tenderloin with foie gras and braised calf’s head from the historical menu. For dessert, we chose a scoop of pistachio ice cream and the classic profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce.

The Meal: • Starters: The escargots were excellent—large, earthy, and perfectly cooked. The herb butter was flavorful, though I personally would have enjoyed a bit more herbal vibrancy for added freshness. The French onion soup was well-executed, with a comforting balance of flavors, though it could have benefited from a touch less bread to allow the broth to shine more fully. • Mains: The beef tenderloin with foie gras was beautifully prepared. The tenderloin was cooked medium rare, incredibly tender, and full of flavor. The richness of the foie gras complemented the dish wonderfully, and the sauce tied everything together seamlessly. It was a standout plate. The braised calf’s head was another highlight, offering a deep, hearty flavor that reflected its roots in traditional French cuisine. The texture, particularly the tender piece of skin, was reminiscent of pork belly and added an interesting contrast. While the waiter expressed some caution about its richness, I found it to be balanced and satisfying—a dish that adventurous diners and those familiar with similar textures will particularly appreciate. • Desserts: The profiteroles were a delight. The light choux pastry and creamy vanilla ice cream paired perfectly with a rich, velvety hot chocolate sauce. It was a dessert that far exceeded expectations. The pistachio ice cream was equally impressive, capturing the pure, nutty essence of pistachio in a way that felt authentic and refined.

Overall Experience: Le Procope is more than just a restaurant; it’s a connection to Parisian history. Despite its fame and long-standing reputation, the attention to quality in both the food and the service is evident. The historical menu, in particular, is a unique opportunity to explore dishes that feel rooted in tradition while still being approachable and satisfying.

We look forward to visiting again and experiencing more of what this iconic Parisian institution...

Le Procope is now a sad tourist trap. Don’t let the history of this place convince you to go. And don’t be quick to pay for bad attitude & bad food. It’s inexcusable. As travelers, we wanted an experience and we got one…a pretty negative one. We made a reservation for a party of 4 ladies several weeks in advance and were very anxious to have a beautiful meal at a very historic restaurant. We were ungraciously seated in the bar area at two small round tables pushed together. It was very uncomfortable for all of us to be able to talk or sit together and enjoy our meal. And the seats were old, uncomfortable and too low for the tables. It took forever for a waiter, who was fairly pleasant to come over and take our order. One of our party has food allergies & our waiter had to have a manager, who spoke better English come to our table. She was irritated upon arrival and clearly bristled at one of our party for graciously asking questions about ingredients and recommendations and explaining why. Our meal was NOT delivered quickly, and we waited quite a while for their signature coq au vin and fish dishes. I had the coq au vin (pictured below) and it was the worst meal of our trip in Paris and through the south of France - including our meals on our Viking cruise! The meat was tough, dry, overcooked and had been sitting for some time. It tasted more like pork than chicken. There was no gracious finesse of ingredients or cooking technique involved in this dish. The only things which were marginally flavorful were the potatoes! It was an insult and a huge disappointment. I understand that the fish was “good” but not wonderful. We were given minimal courtesy and felt like we were “tolerated”. There is more history in Paris than you can shake a stick at. This place is very far from worth your time & hard earned money. Clearly Le Procope has given up and is nothing more than a tourist trap with an overabundance of...

A Culinary Delight at Le Procope ——1686——

Dining at Le Procope was an unforgettable experience, steeped in history and brimming with exquisite flavors. The Coq au Vin was nothing short of perfection—tender chicken braised in a rich, velvety wine sauce, bursting with deep, savory notes. Each bite was a celebration of classic French cuisine, executed with finesse.

The evening reached its zenith with the Paris-Brest dessert, a masterpiece of pastry and cream. The delicate choux pastry, filled with luscious praline cream, was an absolute dream. Every mouthful was a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, both indulgent and light.

To complement the meal, the wine selection was simply outstanding. The sommelier’s recommendation paired beautifully with the dishes, enhancing each flavor profile with its own subtle notes. Le Procope offers more than just a meal; it’s a journey through time and taste that I cannot recommend highly enough.

Sitting in the hallowed halls of Le Procope, I felt as though time had collapsed in on itself. The air was thick with history, as if the walls whispered the secrets of the past. I could almost see Marie Antoinette, penning her final letter, her elegant script trembling with the weight of impending doom. The ghostly presence of Louis XVI seemed to linger too, his gaze heavy with the knowledge of his fate.

In this very room, where centuries earlier Benjamin Franklin had drafted the alliance with Louis for the fledgling American republic, history felt alive. The quill that had sealed the fate of nations now seemed to float in the air, bridging the old world and the new with strokes of ink on parchment. As I sat there, the centuries blurred, and I felt a profound connection to those who had come before, their decisions echoing through time and space, shaping the world we know today.

Sometimes you just have to angle your life right to wear Nepoleons hat!...