Paris, the City of Light, elegant, impossibly romantic – and unfortunately, notoriously expensive. However, if you know where to go, it’s still quite possible to find places to eat that don’t require you to spend a fortune. Here’s our guide to 17 of the best:
Photo by My City Highlight
Address: 6 rue de Lancry, 75010
If you want a taste of real home-style French cooking in an authentic setting and at an affordable price, a visit to La Petite Rose des Sables is well worth the trip. You can expect large portions, great food and a welcoming atmosphere in this hidden gem.
Photo by La Fourchette
Address: 52 rue Legendre, 75017
This restaurant offers a wide range of both sweet and savory crêpes and other similar fare in a cozy, modern setting. The food is filling and the service is excellent – the staff also speak English if your French is not quite up to it. An ideal option for a satisfying lunch.
Photo by La Fourchette
Address: 8 rue de l’Isly, 75008
Paris has a large number of good-quality Lebanese restaurants, and La Pause Libanaise is among the best for both food and value. For authentic middle-eastern food at a reasonable price, you can’t do much better than this small but comfortable establishment.
Photo by Yelp
Address: 7 rue Mouffetard, 75005
If you want your sushi fix but you don’t want to break the bank, head to Oi Sushi for a real treat. A small, comfortable and clean restaurant with friendly and helpful staff. For a filling meal at an extremely reasonable price, opt for one of the set menus.
Photo by Trip Advisor
Address: 1 rue de Lyon, 75012
This is a classic Parisian bar-restaurant with an affordable menu of French classics and a broad selection of beers. Conveniently located near the Gare de Lyon, this an ideal place to stop for a coffee or a bite to eat while you wait for your train.
Photo by Resto a Paris
Address: 13 rue de Bagnolet, 75020
Restaurants from France’s colonial days abound in Paris, and if you’re looking for great Moroccan cuisine at reasonable prices, you should head to Restaurant Argana. The tagines in this atmospheric little place are highly recommended.
Photo by Taste the World
Address: 14 rue de la Villette, 75019
We have to include at least one Italian restaurant on our list, so we choose this one, Buono, Sano, Bello. The staff are warm and friendly, and this family-owned restaurant serves a wide range of pasta and other Italian classics – but no pizza! A meal for two with wine should easily cost under €50.
Photo by Trip Advisor
Address: 2 rue Leriche, 75015
Cambodian cuisine is well represented in Paris, and if you want to try some, you could do a lot worse than heading to Le Cambodge. If you don’t know what Cambodian food is like, it could be described as being a little similar to Thai cooking but without nearly as much chili. The fish amok is recommended.
Photo by Tien Hiang
Address: 14 rue Bichat, 75010
Vietnamese food is better known than the cuisine of neighboring Cambodia, and Paris duly boasts many options for Vietnamese dining. Tien Hiang is one of the most popular due to the wide range of Vietnamese classics, the exceptional prices, and the fact that it caters to vegans and vegetarians!
Photo by La Fourchette
Address: 30 rue Saint Sauveur, 75002
If for some reason you find yourself in Paris with an insatiable craving for good old British fish and chips, your best bet is to make your way over to Johana’s Fish and Chips. The food is tasty and the prices are cheap, an excellent place for your fix of food from across the Channel.
Photo by Trip Advisor
Address: 217 avenue Daumesnil, 75012
This is a cute and cozy family-run restaurant that serves great modern French food at very fair prices. The service is friendly and the food is delicious. If you want to try something very French, go for the snails! The steaks are also good.
Photo by Lakshmi Bhavan
Address: 57 rue Rodier, 75009
For delicious and authentic Indian cuisine at low prices, Lakshmi Bhavan is one of the best options in the city. The menu includes a range of Indian curries, grilled meat and seafood, and some very tasty naans. The staff are helpful and friendly.
Photo by Resto a Paris
Address: 34 rue des Rosiers, 75004
One of the best choices for cheap and filling food in Paris is to head to one of the many Falafel places, and l’As du Fallafel comes highly recommended. The portions are huge and there’s lots to choose from. Friendly staff and great atmosphere.
Photo by Not Drinking Poison in Paris
Address: 1 rue Theophile Roussel, 75012
For a true taste of the city, check out this wonderful old-style Parisian wine bar. If you want to escape from the usual tourist circuit and try somewhere the locals go, check out Le Baron Rouge: you’ll find good food and decent wine at attractive prices.
Photo by Trip Advisor
Address: 214 rue de Rivoli, 75001
If you’re at home, you might prefer choosing a Keurig machine to brew coffee – but in Paris, you should definitely get out and experience the city’s renowned café culture. This is a great place for coffee, pastries and crêpes, all without your bank account needing to take a hit.
Photo by Trip Advisor
Address: 43 rue de Charenton, 75012
Since the other Italian on our list doesn’t do pizza, we feel obliged to give you at least one suggestion for a good quality, cheap pizzeria. Our top pick is Pizza Julia, where you will find a good selection of delicious authentic Italian pizzas at affordable prices. Service is quick and friendly.
Photo by Trip Advisor
Address: 15 rue des Archives, 75004
If you really can’t manage to spend time in the French capital without your dose of American food, you had better track down Kraft Hotdogs. This place unsurprisingly specializes in sausages in buns, and they offer a range of gourmet options at great prices. Maybe the best hotdogs in town.
A huge range of options that don’t have to break the bank
As you can see, Paris has a huge amount of eating options, including classic French as well as a full range of international food from just about everywhere imaginable. And with only a little effort, it’s easy to find places that won’t have you weeping next time you see your bank balance.
