If you could only visit one of these famous bistros (for lunch), which would you choose?

Neither. I'd go to Brasserie Lipp on Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Pres (having reserved in advance and gotten a seat downstairs with all the French VIP's)located at Metro: S-G-d-P. Take my word for it: you won't be disappointed.<BR><BR>

I second that opinion

Hi Lydia,<BR> May I suggest that you stop by and look at them both before deciding. <BR><BR> You might decide after looking at the prices that you don't wish to go to either.

Thanks for the suggestions. Eye spy, would you have to reserve at the Brasserie Lipp for lunch as well? Can you go to La Coupole or Le Dome for just a drink, or is that not done?

Lydia: Sure you can go into Le D&ocirc;me or La Coupole for a drink. They have enclosed terraces in winter so you can people watch as long as you like. They are on opposite sides of each other on the boulevard. I also find M&eacute;tro station Vavin closer to both than Montparnasse-Bienvenue.<BR><BR>Yes, absolutely reserve for Brasserie Lipp. Try a few days in advance if you can and confirm the morning (at about 10am or so to confirm if you are able - if you don't it'll be fine anyway). Say you'd like a table for __ people at ____ o'clock (Translation: Je voudrais r&eacute;server une table pour 4 personnes (in this example, 4 people) &agrave; treize heures (1pm) au nom de SAY LAST NAME ONLY, s'il vous pla&icirc;t. Before hanging up say &quot;Merci Monsieur. Au revoir Monsieur.&quot; Sure you may think you are repeating Monsieur too much, perhaps being too gentile. But I'll tell you one thing: these are the little things that make you stand out with the French and they will love it. Follow my advice!<BR><BR>Have a great lunch at Lipp. 1pm-1:15pm is prime time lunch time. You might see a government minister or even Catherine Deneuve or Sonia Rykiel at the next table. In any event, you'll love the food and the Parisian atmosphere. Try a confit de canard. For dessert, they make great cr&egrave;me br&ucirc;l&eacute;e.<BR>

For a casual lunch, I think either would be fine. I prefer Le Dome for the atmosphere, myself -- I just find it more serene, peaceful and attractive. I don't care for places in the heaviest tourist areas of St-Germain myself, nor think they are worth the money or attitude. <BR><BR>I wonder if Eye Spy is confusing La Coupole with some other place. It is always enclosed and is not across from Le Dome, it's down the street to the west on the exact same side of the boulevard as Le Dome. I preferred it before it was renovated, but that's been quite a while now (at least 10 years, if not more).