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As any local will tell you, finding affordable restaurants in Paris can be a challenge. Paris was recently listed as one of the most expensive cities in the world along with Hong Kong and Singapore. Not only is the city is an economic hub, it is also the most visited tourist destination in all of Europe. The cost of essential things like rent, water, gas and electricity has been on the rise steadily. Subsequently, prices on non-essentials like coffee to-go and restaurant dinners are high as well. Luckily, like any major city, Paris still holds a few gems where you can find great food at an affordable price. In this article, INSIDR reviews some of Paris’ best inexpensive restaurants, cafes and bistros that offer everything from classic French food to spicy Szechuan noodles. Bon appetit!
What you’ll find in this article:
– some of Paris’ best restaurants that won’t hurt your wallet
– our favorite Michelin star restaurants that are affordable
– INSIDR tips for eating out in Paris: tipping, eating with kids, etc.
For the best gourmet experiences in Paris: restaurants, kitchen supplies boutiques, and cooking classes, download our Paris Gourmet Guide!
Affordable restaurants in Paris for lunch
Lunch is perhaps the best time to discover affordable restaurants in Paris. Lunch menus tend to be less lavish and subsequently less expensive than dinner time menus. But don’t worry, the food is still of great quality and prepared with signature French finesse. Read below for INSIDR’s favorite affordable restaurants in Paris for lunch.
Cru at Galeries Lafayette Homme (Mediterranean Food)
Cru is a new restaurant in Paris that has yet to become overrun with tourists. This restaurant, tucked away inside the men’s department at Galeries Lafayette Homme, specializes in mediterranean cuisine. Their signature dishes are the seafood entrées, and, despite being a newcomer to the city, Cru has already developed a reputation as one of the best places in Paris for ceviche which is raw fish cured with some citrus juices. If you’re weirded out by the restaurant being located inside the shopping mall that presents the best of French men’s fashion, don’t be! The restaurant also boasts of a nice terrace where you can lounge under the sun.
Cru additionally offers a tasting menu and there’s even a cocktail bar that features hand-picked French wines and bespoke cocktails. The restaurant also offers a small breakfast service where early shoppers at Galeries Lafayette can pick up a croissant and a coffee before hitting the sales floor. Whether or not you’re planning on going on a Paris Shopping Spree, Cru is a must-visit for affordable seafood in central Paris.
| INSIDR Tip: Don’t visit Galeries Lafayette without downloading your 600€ shopping voucher or your 1000€ shopping voucher! Use those vouchers to claim a free skincare set from L’Occitane or free gourmet chocolate fro Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse. |
Cru at Galeries Lafayette
Average spend: 18€
Address: on the 3rd floor of Galeries Lafayette Homme, 48 Boulevard Haussmann
Hours: 8:30am-9:30pm, Monday through Saturday, and 11am-7pm on Sundays
Metro: Chausée d’Antin Lafayette or Havre-Caumartin
La Petite Bretonne (crêpes)
Another of the lesser known affordable restaurants in Paris is La Petite Bretonne. Crêperies are one of the easier places to score a delicious, inexpensive lunch in Paris, and La Petite Bretonne is one of the best. A lunch ‘formule’ is just 13€ and comes with savory crêpe and a dessert crêpe of your choice plus either a cup of cider or a glass of fresh juice. La Petite Bretonne is famous for their crispy buckwheat crepes and is a haven among the tourist trap restaurants in the Châtelet neighborhood.
La Petite Bretonne
Average spend: 15€
Hours: 12:00-11:30pm, closed between 3:00-6:30pm Monday to Thursday.
Address: 28 Rue des Lombards, 75004 Paris
Metro: Châtelet
Burgers & Fries
If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial than a crepe, Burger & Fries is here to help. As you may have guessed from their name, this restaurant specializes in classic American hamburgers made fresh in-house everyday. Much better than those you will find in a typical brasserie! A double cheeseburger meal (with fries and drink) is only 9.90€. Burgers & Fries currently has two locations in Paris, one in Strasbourg-Saint Denis and another in Saint Germain des Près in the heart of Paris near all the most popular attractions.
Burgers & Fries
Average spend: 10€
Hours: everyday, 11:00am to midnight
Address: 95 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris; 1 Boulevard de Bonne Nouvelle, 75002 Paris
Metro: Mabillon; Grands Boulevards
Le Pantruche (French Bistro)
At Le Pantruche, you can dine at one of the best classic French affordable restaurants in Paris. Don’t let the old-fashioned design and Art Deco interiors intimidate you. Here, you can enjoy a two-course meal for just 19€. Traditional French dishes like onion soup and foie gras are served alongside seasonal vegetables and amazing French wines. It’s no wonder La Pantruche is a favorite among locals and visitors alike!
Le Pantruche
Average spend: 19€
Hours: Monday-Friday, 12:30-10:00pm, closed between 2:00-7:30pm
Address: 3 Rue Victor Massé, 75009 Paris
Metro: Pigalle
Bouillon Pigalle (Classic French)
Nestled in the 18th arrondissement is Bouillon Pigalle, one of the best places to enjoy an affordable dinner in Paris. Starters go for as little as 1,90€ and main course dishes start at just 8.50€. We highly recommend ordering their French onion soup that’s served without gimmicks, straight up the traditional way with crusty melted cheese on top, for only 3,80€. It goes great with some wine which you can enjoy for 9.90€ for a full bottle. Finish your meal with Bouillon’s famous chocolate profiteroles for only 4.50€. It’s a full course meal, including booze, that you can score for under 20€.
| INSIDR Tip: make sure you arrive before 7pm unless you wanna queue for a long time outside. |
Bouillon Pigalle
Average spend: 15€
Hours: Everyday, 12pm to 12am
Address: 22 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris
Metro: Pigalle
Bistrot Victoires (Classic French)
Located in the 1st arrondissement, Bistrot Victoires is an affordable restaurant situated in Paris’ premier shopping district. Bistrot Victoires is also one of the best ranked affordable restaurants in Paris. Their delicious duck confit is one of the cheapest in Paris at just 10,90€. Their extensive menu includes other favorites like salmon tartare, basil tomato penne, and roasted chicken. You can also get a full bottle of wine for as little as 14€. There’s something for everyone and every budget at Bistrot Victoires!
Bistrot Victoires
Average spend: 15€
Hours: Everyday, 9:00am-11:00pm
Address: 6 Rue de la Veillière, 75001 Paris
Metro: Bourse; Palais Royal
L’Îlot (Seafood)
L’Îlot in the 3rd arrondissement is one of the best affordable restaurants in Paris for seafood. At L’Îlot, you can enjoy prime seafood like braised sea urchin, muscles, whelks, crab, and of course, oysters at an affordable price. The oysters go for 18€ for 12 pieces, or with a companion, you can splurge and get the seafood platter with oysters, crab, shrimp, langoustines and more for just 55€. L’Îlot receives consistently great reviews for their amazing seafood dishes and great prices!
L’Îlot
Average spend: 35€
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 6:30pm-10:30pm
Address: 4 Rue de la Corderie, 75003 Paris
Metro: République
Trois Fois Plus de Piment (Szechuan)
If you’re looking for something on the spicier side, hit up Trois Fois Plus de Piment. The restaurant, whose name literally means ‘three times more pepper’ is located near Le Marais and is popular among locals for their spicy noodles and delicious pork dumplings. Vegetarian dishes are also available. What’s more is that they have an interesting spice rating ranging from Levels 1 to 5.
INSIDR Tip: If you can’t stand spice, you may request for 0 spice in your dish.
Trois Fois Plus de Piment
Average spend: 11€
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday,12–3PM, 7–11PM
Address: 184 Rue Saint-Martin, 75003 Paris
Metro: Rambuteau
Affordable Michelin Star restaurants in Paris
You’d be surprised to find out that you can enjoy fine dining at affordable restaurants in Paris. Our recommended Michelin Star restaurants are just the perfect compromise. These restaurants are all staffed with award-winning chefs and serve up amazing, boundary-pushing, genre-bending dishes to delight your palate. Best of all? These restaurants are all among the most affordable Michelin-star restaurants in the city.
Baieta*
Baieta is one of most affordable restaurants in Paris that have a Michelin Star. Baieta, which means ‘kiss’ in a southern French dialect, serves up Mediterranean dishes made with love. Baieta’s head chef is Julia Sedefdjian, the youngest French chef in history to receive a Michelin star. Julia began her culinary career at just 18 and won her first star at the tender age of 21. Grab a table at her restaurant to sample fine cuisine from the southeast of France for just 29€ for lunch.
Baieta
Average spend: 40€
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12–2:30PM, 7–10:30PM
Address: 5 Rue de Pontoise, 75005 Paris
Metro: Maubert-Mutualité
Book a table here
Auguste*
At Auguste, you can enjoy lunch seated among Paris’ political elite. Situated in proximity to the Palais Bourbon, the seat of the French National Assembly, Auguste serves classic French dishes like saffron-roasted chicken and sable fish in a delicate wine sauce. Their lunch menu comes with three courses and runs for just 39€. Auguste is also close to favorite Paris monuments like the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and the Arc de Triomphe.
Auguste
Average spend: 45€
Hours: Monday-Friday,12–2PM, 7:30–10:30PM
Address: 54 Rue de Bourgogne, 75007 Paris
Metro: Varenne
Book a table here
Passage 53**
Tucked away in the beautiful Passage des Panoramas, Passage 53 is housed in tiny room with minimalist décor. What matters here is the food. Here, you won’t find a menu and chef Shinichi sato takes guests on a culinary adventure that changes regularly. Past dishes include veal tartare with oyster, foie gras poached with strawberry, and white asparagus served with jamón serrano and Parmesan foam. For a 2-Michelin Star restaurant, spending 48€ on a lunch menu is a great steal.
Passage 53
Average spend: 60€
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 7–9:30PM, Saturday 12–1PM, 7–9:30PM
Address: 53 Passage des Panoramas, 75002 Paris
Metro: Grands Boulevards
Book a table here
Practical tips on eating out in Paris
Tipping
Unlike Canada and the U.S., tipping is not mandatory at French restaurants. Instead, service is incorporated into the menu prices. If you do want to extend a gesture to your server, gratuities are of course, accepted.
Eating out with kids
Most Michelin star restaurants do not feature a kid’s menu. However, if you’re hoping to expose your kids to French food while in Paris, you can visit a gourmet food market like Lafayette Gourmet where they can sample charcuterie, truffles, and desserts made by some of the best chefs in Paris.
Restaurant schedules
Most restaurants don’t open until 12:30pm for lunch and 7:30 pm for dinner. Dinner at Michelin restaurants and more upscale bistros also have fixed dinner service hours (usually 7:30pm and 9:30pm) and require a reservation. Always make sure you look up the opening hours online before you go. Many restaurants are closed on Sundays, Mondays, and sometimes Tuesdays. More casual places like Cru at Galeries Lafayette Homme and Bouillon Pigalle are open seven days a week.
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