Paris has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, but dining well here does not require a luxury budget. Beneath the surface of Michelin-starred dining rooms and tourist-trap terraces lies a vibrant landscape of neighborhood bistros, family-run canteens, and humble kitchens where flavor matters more than fancy decor. The key is knowing where locals go when they want a satisfying meal without the markup.
For travelers and residents alike, the search for affordable restaurants in Paris is not about sacrificing quality for price. It is about discovering places that respect traditional French cooking, use fresh ingredients, and serve generous portions at fair prices. These are the spots where a three-course lunch can cost less than a single appetizer in a more polished arrondissement.
Many of the city’s best-value meals are found slightly away from the major monuments. A short walk from the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower often leads to quiet residential streets where the clientele is mostly regulars. These restaurants survive on loyalty rather than foot traffic, which means they must deliver consistency, warmth, and honest pricing every single day.
The following list focuses on restaurants where two people can eat well for a reasonable sum, often including wine or a dessert. The cuisines range from classic French comfort food to North African couscous, Vietnamese pho, and Italian pasta. Paris is an international city, and its affordable dining scene reflects that beautiful diversity.
Each recommendation below has been selected for its value, portion size, and authenticity. Prices change over time, but these establishments have built their reputations on remaining accessible. Always check the daily lunch specials, known in France as the formule or menu du jour, which typically offer the best price-to-quality ratio in the city.
Whether you are a first-time visitor on a backpacker budget or a local looking for a new weekday lunch spot, this guide will help you eat very well without emptying your wallet. Here are fifteen of the best affordable restaurants in Paris, each offering a memorable meal at a fair price.
La Petite Rose des Sables
| Address | 6 Rue de Lancry, 75010 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 PM – 12:30 AM Tuesday: 7:00 PM – 12:30 AM Wednesday: 7:00 PM – 12:30 AM Thursday: 7:00 PM – 12:30 AM Friday: 7:00 PM – 12:30 AM Saturday: 7:00 PM – 12:30 AM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 01 40 18 35 30 |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An absolutely unforgettable experience! Dining at La Petit Rose de Sable feels less like going to a restaurant and more like being welcomed into your grandmother’s home. The atmosphere is intimate and full of charm, with only a handful of tables, which makes the whole evening feel incredibly personal and special.
The food is simply wonderful, clearly made with love, care, and a deep sense of tradition. Every dish feels authentic and comforting, yet memorable in its own way.
What truly makes this place magical, though, is the host. She is a remarkable lady who brings warmth, character, and a touch of magic to the entire experience. You can feel her passion in everything she does.
A couple of tips: she opens at 7pm and there are only 3–4 tables, so it’s best to arrive early,there are no reservations, and you may have to wait otherwise. Also, while card payments are accepted, it’s a good idea to bring cash just in case, and note that contactless payments aren’t available. She doesn't speak English but you will understand!
I highly recommend this hidden gem to anyone looking for a unique and heartfelt dining experience in Paris!
Best bourguignon ever!! The home-made sangria is amazing and the food is to die for. Mamie is so kind and warm. She treats you like family. The price is criminally low for such great food, and I genuinely don’t know how the little restaurant survives. I learned from others that Mamie has sick family to take care of, so please support if you can!!
The space is tiny and only has three tables that sit 6 people, so you need to wait there for a table to become available if you’re not there early enough
An unforgettable theatrical unique dining experience in the heart of Paris. Mamie generously accommodated our family of 5, despite the notice in the window stating Couples Only (which we hadn’t seen before entering). She entertained us all on her own as her partner was sick and we had the most amazing meals accompanied by Mamie’s commentary and free Sangria, dessert and souvenirs. A must for anyone wanting delicious home cooked food in the traditional style at a budget price complete with the free entertainment. Many thanks Mamie x
Had the best experience at this little restaurant with 4 tables. The service was exceptional and Mamie chatted with us about the US and about football. She also treated us to Sangria, punch, a souvenir and desserts on the house. Was an incredible experience and the food was fantastic as well. Highly recommend it to folks visiting from other countries for a local experience.
In my opinion, this is the best restaurant in Paris. Beyond the absolutely stunning food—which is arguably the most authentic French cuisine you can find—Mamie was incredibly kind and welcoming. She made a real effort to communicate with us even though our French isn't the best. The free sangria, complimentary dessert, and the lovely Paris souvenirs really made our day! A truly unforgettable experience，and I would recommend it to any one who visits Paris.
Bouillon République
| Address | 39 Bd du Temple, 75003 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Friday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Phone | 01 42 59 69 31 |
Super dining experience at this establishment. Showed up on a Friday evening and without a reservation and was quickly seated. Had a magnificent meal, including half a bottle of red for under 75 euro, for two people - as described. Great value!
Highly recommend this place. All dishes were delicious. Duck confit just fell of for the bone. Cheeses were great. The dessert was ridiculous.
Highly recommend it
I will be going again before my vacation is over
5/5!!!!!
One of the best restaurants in Paris! We waited for almost two hours because we didn’t reserve a table. The wait was well worth it! We got 4 starters, 3 mains, one dessert, and drinks, all for less than €60 in total for two people! One of the best value for money in Paris. We understand how it withstood the test of time, and why people queue for it. The different starters were amazing! The ratatouille, salad, and french soup were some of the highlights for me. Even the mains were filling and satisfying. Would definitely visit this place again and would book a reservation in advance. The staff was very polite and accommodating even though it was a very busy evening for them. They’re used to having tourists and locals. Highly recommended!
What can I say? Great service is the most important thing. Because when it comes to the food itself, I don't have to give a positive opinion, because that's what it is. Very tasty, affordable, and tastes like France. I recommend it to every tourist
I will just point out that it is very important to make a reservation in advance. Because those willing to eat without a reservation, the number of people waiting reaches several dozen meters
. I recommend for sure
A great restaurant if you want a meal with all the courses (appetizer, main, and dessert) with a reasonable price. though don't expect any major surprises—the food is solid and perfectly fine. We went in the afternoon, around 4 PM, so there was no wait. Ordering was quick, and the food arrived promptly, too. You can pay directly via an app using the QR code found at each table, which makes settling the bill incredibly easy. A overall good experience.
The restaurant operations are fantastic. We booked in advance and got our table so quickly. The restaurant has a great atmosphere, the system is efficient, and the staff are professional. Unfortunately, the food itself was very disappointing. Even with the budget-friendly prices, it wasn't worth it. You're better off saving your money and eating elsewhere.
Le Ju'
| Address | 16 Rue des Archives, 75004 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM Friday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM Sunday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Phone | 01 42 78 11 47 |
one of those trendy cafe/restaurant type deals. super friendly and funny waiter and the decor here was definitely a vibe.
food isn’t amazing, though I really did enjoy the truffle with poached eggs (7 euros). chicken cutlet was dry, and the sauce lacked any depth unfortunately. truffle pasta was pretty good. the pizza was small, though that does check out with to the price (6 euros). the pastas were between 16-17 euros.
serviceable place for food, but nothing much stood out except for the exceptional service!
If you are looking for some nice place to have good food late in the night...this is where you gooo!! Menu is limited late in the night but it's still so much better than a lot of places I guess?
Shout out to their creme brule🤌
Oh yes and their ambience and atmosphere on the street was very good!
The food was so good and they have a big menu selection with multiple languages. I got the Milanese-Style Chicken Cutlet and it was amazing!! Another person in my group got the Pad Thai and loved it. I absolutely loved our server, Angel, too, they were super friendly and helpful!💙 I would say it’s better to go with a party of 2 or 3 but they are able to seat parties of 4+ easily inside. I’d 100% recommend! (Make a reservation though!)
Lovely place to eat breakfast and really good service .
Inside and outside is perfect to eat .
Went there 2 days in a row.
The english breakfast was perfect, with fresh scrambled eggs , with bacon and salade. Coffee of tea or hot chocolate with a very good fresh orange Juice. The bread and the croissants are define.
And you get Nutella and Jam and butterfly with it too.
The food was great! The service was just ok though. They asked us right away what we wanted to order and we said we needed a couple minutes. We waited about 15-20 min and then finally flagged someone down. They missed one of the items that we ordered and we also didn’t get the free bread that we saw every other table get when they sat down. Cute place with good food but the service was not great, was also very loud (we sat inside), wouldn’t go back.
Le Bistro des Augustins
| Address | 39 Quai des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Phone | 01 43 54 04 41 |
A true Parisian bistro with amazing home-made food and wines. Make sure to try their house specialty - gratine...the best one is with the duck ( magre du canard ). Just exceptional! But what I love the most is the atmosphere. It feels like you are waiting for your grandmother to finish baking your favourite dish...slowly and with a lot of love. The staff speaks English very well so you needn't worry. The only thing is you have to be patient and leave enough time , at least 2 hours for a meal and don't get annoyed if you wait more than half an hour for the food to be ready...it is well worth the wait. Relax, enjoy and soak up the atmosphere! The tart Tatin was pure 10 out of 10. This is my third time there and I will be back again for sure!
Our order was a Bistro gratin so it doesn’t have any eggs. But there were eggs in it ! Which I understand from the first bite! Also I’m not sure about the recèpe but all the materials were apart and in a light milky sauce 🙁 it wasn’t my first time to try gratin though ! I expected more (at least from the appearance).
The staff were friendly and polite but it took more than 30 minutes to bring our food which it’s too long .
Such a nice place. Out 1st time trying French quisine and it did not disappoint us. They were so nice, our kids had bought fries from somewhere and they let our kids sit and eat that with us. Again a great place to go. We saw other tables had locals eating which reassured us that this was an authentic restaurant and not a tourist trap.
Highly recommend this place
place. It's close to the Seine, however there is a street still between. Seating is used to the max, but this gives a friendly atmosphere. The waiters was friendly and the menu was French and English.
I recommend going at non-peak hours has it gets crowded quickly.
Definitely try their signature dish, it did not disappoint and was filling.
Such a lovely little place with delicious food, great atmosphere and friendly, hard working service. Recommend the cheese gratin (lots of different types) and the cocktails! Great value too. Despite the tiny kitchen, service was fast and friendly. It gets busy though so you might want to book
Bouillon Pigalle
| Address | 22 Bd de Clichy, 75018 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Friday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Phone | 01 42 59 69 31 |
A lively and bustling restaurant with a great atmosphere. The food was fresh, authentically French, and absolutely worth the wait. Our group all enjoyed three-course meals, and we were impressed by both the variety and the quality of the dishes.
The service was a little slow at times, but considering how busy the restaurant was, it was completely understandable. The staff remained friendly, and the overall experience was very enjoyable.
The ambience is warm and inviting, which adds to the charm of the place. When we left, there was already a long line of customers waiting outside. We arrived around 18:30 and didn’t have to wait too long, but I suspect arriving closer to 18:00 would be even better if you want to avoid the crowds.
Overall, a fantastic dining experience with excellent food, a vibrant atmosphere, and definitely a place I’d return to.
We tried this place twice during our stay. Our first dinner didn’t meet our expectations, so we thought we’d give it another try. The second dinner was much more comfortable and absolutely enjoyable.
A tip: it’s hard to get the server’s attention once you’ve placed your order, so order everything you want upfront. On the plus side, the prices are some of the cheapest you’ll find in Paris for the quality.
My favorites were the French onion soup and the bone marrow.
One of the typical Paris places for streaming food. Very tasty food at a low price, for many people. It is an attraction in itself with all the service and a lively atmosphere with thousands of people from all over the world in one place. Be sure to make a reservation. A must visit!
Simple food with tons of value. Over two nights here we had foie gras twice, escargot, and the mayo eggs as starters, needless to say the duck liver pate was the star worth repeating. The others were very average.
The beef bourguignon over pasta was very plain, lacking depth. The duck confit and cassoulet were decent. I believe the pork shank was the most exciting dish there, other than the profiterole was incredible…and befits the praise.
It IS French “fast food” with great value however lacking the character of a culinary experience on any level. I’d say more of a young persons place. Perfect to chase an empty stomach after an evening of drinks.
Here is the SHOCKER…we were seated near the servers station and witnessed the table bread being recycled?!? Any left over bread was being put back into the basket and reserved. Figuring it was customary dismissing it until I read it is illegal and a gross trespass of health and safety regulations.
Go eat but stay away from the bread.
We went before 13h with no reservation on a weekday. There was no wait and was seated immediately. We were able to order quickly and the food arrived within minutes. The food is very affordable and you get to taste staple French food like snails and onion soupe.
By the time we were finishing our meal the place was full and so it took longer to get the waiter's attention to order dessert and pay.
I would recommend to come in early to get the best service time.
If needed they have the menu available in several languages.
Toilets are also pretty clean and there is even a mini shop to get Bouilln items!
Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards
| Address | 7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Friday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Phone | 01 47 70 86 29 |
Saw 20k review and wanted to give it a try.
Escargot was good.
Main came out like fast food.
However the beef was as hard as rock(medium rare). Other server has no interest in helping and insist only the one who took care of my table can helped. Waited 10min+. Changed to stew beef however it also doesn't fit my palate.
Later, I found out bouillon is equalivent to fast food of the past....
Cheap and quick is the key... taste seems to be secondary.
Great experience, good atmosphere.
My server service was good but I cant speak for the rest.
Atmosphere was new and interesting
My 4th visit to Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse, and it never fails to impress!
The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by a stunning Art Nouveau interior that feels like stepping back in time. What really makes this place special, though, is the incredible staff. The servers are so friendly, cheerful, and remarkably attentive—it's amazing how efficiently they remember everything even during busy hours!
Because it’s a popular spot, we lined up about 15 minutes before opening.
My friend and I were seated at a table for four, where two solo diners later joined us. Sharing a table with friendly strangers is such a refreshing and fun experience, capturing the true spirit of a traditional French canteen.
The food is delightfully simple, authentic, and delicious—classic traditional French comfort food at unbeatable prices. Its location near Montparnasse station is also extremely convenient when traveling to other regions.
My friend brought me to this Bouillon for some special Parisan dining experience. There was a long queue when we arrived and we waited for around 45 minutes before seated. Sharing the table with strangers was necessary and be prepared to make some new friends. The waiter was very energetic and funny. We shared some escargots for starter and I ordered the duck confit as main. As we saw everyone in the house were having the profiteroles, we had one too. The waiter would write the order and calculate the bill on the table. This place is all about the experience and less about food. If you fancy something luxurious, this is definitely not the place.
Fabulous quick and cheap eats. Highlights are the cold leeks, escargot that you basically get for the garlic butter to mop with bread, and the foie gras. Duck canard was also delish.
Long line moves quickly. Service is great - especially watching the waiter do manual addition at the end of the meal to tally up our tab…which most people can’t do without a phone or AI these days!
Great value for food and experience for large groups who like to share plates.
The best here is the service. Food? Well they ran out of the beef bourguignon so I got the rotisserie chicken which was juicy and actually was very good. My daughter had the duck and my husband had the fish bream, both were very good. The price is the best because theyve preserved the old prices since (from what i was told) 1900s so nothing beats that. The green beans was lovely. We also had the landreau bordeaux wine and i love it.
Most importantly: our server Donovan made our experience the best! Very attentive and so welcoming and kind 🙂 he made our dining experience even better… we will be back! & will be recommending to everyone!
Chouchou
| Address | 23 Bd de Sébastopol, 75001 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM Thursday: 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM Friday: 6:00 AM – 4:00 AM Saturday: 6:00 AM – 4:00 AM Sunday: 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Phone | 01 45 08 02 03 |
This is one of these restaurants that cover cuisine from half the world, but in an very tasty way. We had delicious fish on steamed veggies and chicken tagine. I was worried when I saw the menu, however I was nicely surprised. The food was absolutely delicious.
Absolutely fantastic food and service!
We had boeuf bourguignon and a lemon chicken tagine and they were both so so flavorful and rich. (Everything else people were ordering around us looked pretty damn good too!)
The beer selection is great, they have a happy hour too 💕
The service was fantastic too, thank you Uzzal for your recommendation!
We also got complimentary green mint tea that was super flavorful, and little chocolates. Honestly, we must return here soon.
We were in the area and decided to dine at Chouchou. The food was great and surpassed our expectations! We had the onion soup, escargot, steak, and duck confit. All the dishes were delicious. The staff is really kind and service was amazing. We will be back again! Highly recommend!
Found this restaurant hrough a YouTuber who gave it glowing reviews, so we decided to give it a try while in Paris. We ordered the escargot, duck confit, onion soup, & for desserts, the crème brûlée & chocolate cake.
The service was impeccable throughout the meal. Super attentive, warm, & welcoming. They had English menus & spoke to us in English. The staff were lovely, and they even gave us a complimentary hot tea & coffee on the house which was a nice touch.
The food overall was very good. The duck confit was cooked really well, soft & tender, & even the potatoes were amazingly soft & comforting. The escargot was also surprisingly tender. The desserts were PHENOMENAL & honestly one of the highlights of the meal. The only downside for us was that most of the dishes leaned a little too salty for our taste.
We came around 8.30pm with a reservation, though it didn’t seem strictly necessary. Also very thankful for the air-conditioning during the current heat wave in Paris. If we had more days here, we would definitely come back again.
I visited here by chance on the way to my hotel.
I found my choice totally right after having lunch.
The lunch menu has enough volume and tastes delicious.
Moreover, the exceptional hospitality of the staff left a strong impression; they gave me a complementary pot of mint tea and a chocolate. If anything, espresso until the end!
I highly recommend here.
This restaurant could be your favorite place in Paris🥐
Bistrot Victoires
| Address | 6 Rue de la Vrillière, 75001 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | 01 42 61 43 78 |
We had an amazing dinner at Bistrot Victoires! The atmosphere was warm, authentic and full of Parisian charm. Every dish was delicious – we especially loved the escargots, duck confit with crispy potatoes, the creamy gratin, and the crème brûlée, which had a perfectly caramelized top. Everything was fresh, flavorful and beautifully prepared.
The service was friendly and efficient, and the prices were surprisingly reasonable for such high-quality French cuisine. This was one of the highlights of our trip to Paris. We will definitely come back on our next visit. Highly recommended!
We chose this restaurant for our third evening in Paris, and until we came here, we thought the other restaurants we had dined at were excellent. After eating here, our perspective changed completely! If we ever return to Paris, we will definitely visit this place again.
It was our first time trying French onion soup, and it was absolutely delicious. We had eaten escargots before, but the ones served here were even better.
For the main course, one of us ordered the steak, another chose the duck, and the third had the “Meat of the Day” (grilled veal). Unfortunately, the steak was a bit tough and did not meet our expectations. The cooking level was not quite right at first, but the staff kindly recooked it upon request. However, the grilled veal served on a skewer and the duck were both outstanding and full of flavor.
For dessert, we had the profiteroles and the crème brûlée. The profiteroles were different from what we are used to, as they were filled with ice cream instead of the traditional cream filling, but they were still very enjoyable. The crème brûlée was also excellent.
We would especially like to thank the staff for their warm hospitality, friendliness, and helpfulness. The excellent service started from the moment we arrived at the door and continued throughout our meal.
We must have visited at the perfect time because we didn’t have to wait at all to get in. However, by the time we left, there was a very long queue outside the restaurant, which speaks volumes about its popularity.
If you are in Paris you should definitely come here! The food is delicious, we ordered French Onion Soup, Duck Confit and Beef. The soup and duck was absolutely delicious! The desserts were the just right amount of sweet and not overwhelming. The prices are very reasonable and the staff were very friendly!
Arriving at 7.20pm meant we had no wait. We enjoyed a delicious cheesy and bread filled French onion soup (that I’m still thinking about.) My husband enjoyed the escargot, stating the butter sauce was “very good.” We also ordered the steak to come medium and it was quite dry, the chips required additional salt and the dish was lacking a sauce for the steak. The chicken was okay, the mashed potato’s dry and the sauce although thick, tasted mostly like stock. Despite this, service was attentive and food came quickly. The tables are very close to each other but not so bothersome. In all the entrees made up for the mains. Had we enjoyed mains, we would have tried the dessert.
We had the four Starters, the first salad, and the first main entry which are the most typical French dishes. Foods were cooked very well and the cost was reasonable for the quality and volume. Seating was tight. One male waiter was not very friendly and easygoing.
Au Pied de Cochon
| Address | 6 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 AM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 AM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 AM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 AM Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 AM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 AM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 AM |
| Phone | 01 40 13 77 00 |
A Parisian institution, and it earns that title.
The andouillette DUVAL AAAA was the real deal in terms of authenticity — but be warned, it is aggressively salty. Not for the faint-hearted. The escargot were wonderful, and with a good piece of bread to soak up all that garlic butter, I lost count of how many I went through. The frites were also perfectly done — crisp, golden, no complaints.
Prices are on the higher side, but this is a century-old establishment that keeps its doors open well into the night and welcomes you in from the cold with a warm, timeless atmosphere. That counts for something.
The staff were excellent — very friendly and welcoming. We ordered the High-Sea seafood platter and the Burgundy snails, and it was such a different and interesting experience. The snails were actually really delicious and definitely worth trying! Overall, we really enjoyed our visit and the experience.
Very traditional French restaurant, every detail of the service is top notch and make you feel like their best customer 💖💖💖
Oysters are nice, giving you choice of sizes by different price range. Gillardeau is our favourite.
Onion soup could be better if it’s made to order. Can taste the sweetness of onion soup 👍🏻 but Feels like it was baked for a while because it’s not hot enough.
The recommended dish - Slow cooked pork loin worths being recommended. Very tender, pair it with porcini I think which elevated the whole dish👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Macaroni is for the kid, but we like it too 🙂
Reasonably priced and best service so far in Paris :))) highly recommended 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Really wanted to try some proper French specialties and this was Exactly what we were looking for 🇫🇷🤩
Had the Gros Escargots de Bourgogne, Cuisses de Grenouille en Persillade and the Tartare de Bœuf Normand...
Everything was sooo gooooood 🤤🤯🥰 The escargots were amazing, the frog legs were really tasty and the beef tartare was just perfect 🫶🏽
Everything felt really Fresh and well prepared... Definitely a great place to go when you want to try some classic French dishes... We really enjoyed the whole experience! 🇫🇷
This is my favourite restaurant in Paris, and I visit it every time I’m in the city. It is a truly traditional French brasserie, and every dish is delicious. The service is always excellent, and my friends from Hong Kong enjoyed it very much too!
Chez Nicos
| Address | 44 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 AM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 AM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 AM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 AM Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 AM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 AM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Phone | 01 45 87 28 13 |
I visited Chez Nico’s with high expectations, but unfortunately, the experience fell short in every category. Despite being the only customer in the restaurant, the service was incredibly slow and lacked any sense of hospitality. When my crepe finally arrived, the cheese was barely melted, and the dish itself felt overly greasy and heavy. Most uncomfortably, I felt a distinct coldness as a foreigner that made the atmosphere feel unwelcoming. For authentic crepes and a pleasant environment, I’d suggest looking elsewhere.
We had a delicious crepe wrap - la crepe Maison - hot ,filling and full of good nutrition.Chef was friendly and welcoming with good English. Charming French atmosphere along market street Rue Mouffetard on cool April afternoon.
Delicious and massive crepes! Super yummy and in the best neighborhood. Traditional sugar and butter are $2.50, amazing!
I had a great 2 weeks in Paris with many regular visits to Chez Nicos! They're crepes were tasty of good quality, and affordable at around 10 Euros. The staff was also really friendly and made my visits there better.
Also, they are usually open until 2am! Perfect for a late night snack 🙂
Visited in november and HAD to come back!
Delicious crepes and HUGE portions! Dont skip the sweet crepe for dessert!
Fric-Frac
| Address | 4 Rue des Trois Frères, 75018 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM |
| Phone | 01 42 59 05 08 |
Second review of “Eat like a local in Paris”. We tried Fric-Frac which was downhill from Sacre Coeur before we tackled an afternoon in the Montmartre area. The bread is homemade and the ingredients were amazing and fresh. They had more traditional Croque Monsieurs and more creative ones too. It was hard to decide. I chose their version of a Croque Madame which had a soft boiled egg inside instead of the traditional fried egg. It was excellent. I highly suggest the online scannable menu vs a paper menu. They have videos of every sandwich which are quite enticing! The cucumber salad had a hint of wasabi in it, which was quite original and refreshing. Overall great choice.
Great little spot with a variety of sandwiches! The mushroom soup is very earthy. My husband didn't like it, but I did. It was very one note and tasted like a liquid mushroom; if that's ok with you, then get it. It was a cold rainy day where we visited, so I was all about the soup. The bread was divine and the sandwiches scrumptious. Add the truffle cream! Well worth it.
Lovely place. The food was so good.The service was excellent. The tap water is free, and also the sauces. We had a great time here, I recommend it!
Great little restaurant for a quick bite to eat. Short wait was worth the delicious food! We ordered the Le Mam’ Zelle and it did not disappoint! The staff was extremely friendly and made you feel like you are at home.
A great find near Sacre coeur in our last night in Paris and my favorite sandwich I ate in my entire one week long trip. We had the Aztec and the Bandito, as well as the apple dessert - both were very delicious, slightly crunchy but not too hard, big enough and very tasty. The staff is very friendly, they speak English and the atmosphere is super laid back and relaxing. Everything is done conveniently- you scan the menu, order and pay directly from your phone. I would return many times if I had more time in Paris, alas maybe next time.
Pink Mamma
| Address | 20bis Rue de Douai, 75009 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 2:15 PM, 6:00 – 10:45 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:15 PM, 6:00 – 10:45 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:15 PM, 6:00 – 10:45 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 2:15 PM, 6:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:15 PM, 6:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 6:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:45 PM |
| Phone | 09 73 03 40 29 |
My daughter recommended that we have lunch at Pink Mamma, and we’re so glad we came.
As tourists from Taiwan, our French is very limited. Fortunately, our waiter was incredibly friendly, attentive, and thoughtful, making our dining experience even more enjoyable.
The three of us ordered the Burrata e Pappa al Pomodoro, Mafaldine al Tartufo, Risotto agli Asparagi, and the T-Bone Fiorentina to share. Every dish was absolutely delicious, with generous portions and excellent flavors.
The restaurant itself has an amazing atmosphere, beautiful décor, vibrant energy, and a warm Italian vibe that made the whole experience memorable.
We were planning to order the Tiramisù for dessert, but we were simply too full after such a satisfying meal. It’s already at the top of our list for our next visit!
Highly recommended! We’ll definitely be back the next time we’re in Paris.
The restaurant is spacious and has multiple floors, going up to the open air floor. Reservations must be made since you will most likely never find free spot immediately or have to simply sit in a free spot at the bar.
The food is delicious, especially the asparagus and fries, but the portions aren't that big and they were a bit too salty (they used big sized salt which is very flavory). Also, the pesto is really good and light as well as the truffle dip with the burrata. As for the pizza, it's a delicious one and the portion is good, regular like in other pizza places, which is great! The mousse au chocolat is delicious with the salty addition of caramel, and the classic tiramisu is also good but the taste of coffee is very light for those who love a dominant coffee flavor. As for the drinks, they have a large selection and you'd be really tempted to try them all. The selection of fruity beers is perfect!
The guy who served our table was incredibly friendly, joked around, and was fast. We really loved his energy and friendliness.
I would say that the hype is more for the quality of ingredients that they use and the quality of reception from the staff, rather than a breakthrough in the dishes. Still, it's a lovely experience to have.
This is an extremely popular Italian restaurant, and making a reservation in advance is highly recommended. Its reputation is well deserved, as every dish we tried was outstanding.
The signature truffle pasta was undoubtedly the star of the meal. The pasta was perfectly cooked with a delightfully chewy texture, while the rich and creamy truffle sauce delivered an intense depth of flavor that was simply unforgettable. Every bite was indulgent and beautifully balanced, making it one of the best pasta dishes I have ever tasted.
The tiramisu was equally impressive, offering a smooth and delicate texture with just the right level of sweetness. The pizza was also excellent.
Traditional Neapolitan pizza with delicious, high-quality ingredients. The crust was unfortunately a bit too burnt on the bottom, but I guess it was one of the first pizzas in a very hot oven, so that can sometimes happen.
I had the Spicy Pizza, which was really tasty. I especially enjoyed the 'nduja—I had really missed it!
The service was friendly, with mostly Italian staff, which added to the authentic atmosphere. The restaurant is nicely decorated, and even if you dine alone, they have comfortable counter seating.
For dessert, I had the panna cotta with red berries, which was delicious. I also had a beer, and the total came to €34, which I think is a fair price by Paris standards.
Overall, a very good experience. I'd definitely come back.
This is one of the best meals I've had in Paris. Pasta was fresh, Pizza was thin crust and cooked to perfection... Our server Tiziana was so kind, polite and cheerful. Best service. I would highly recommend going here, even if it is out of your way... worth the travel and wait times too. Must try tiramisu!!!
Brasserie des Prés
| Address | 6 Cr du Commerce Saint-André, 75006 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Friday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Phone | 01 42 03 44 13 |
Dinner was great! Be sure to make a reservation for dinner in advance if you can. Otherwise, be prepared for a line if you walk up. We showed up about 20 minutes before they opened and were able to get in, but the line behind us was at least 20 people long before the restaurant (kitchen) even opened!
We had the escargot, fish of the day, deviled eggs and the duck. All the food was great!
Cocktails and wine were also both fantastic.
We had an excellent dinner here! The restaurant is tucked away in a charming little alley. We arrived around 7:30–8pm and there was a line for a table, but the wait was quite short and we were seated before long.
The service was absolutely top-notch from start to finish. We each started with a spritz, which was a little different from the usual Aperol Spritz, but still very good and refreshing.
My partner had the beef tartare and I had the beef bourguignon. It normally comes with pasta, but I asked if I could have mashed potatoes instead and they were happy to accommodate. Both dishes were excellent!
For dessert, we shared the cherry clafoutis and the Paris-Brest and… just wow! Such a great way to end the meal.
Excellent food, wonderful service and a beautiful setting. I highly recommend this restaurant and would absolutely return!
I had a great time with my partner when we walked-in for dinner on July 19. The terrine was delicious and the pork dish for two was so rich and comforting. For dessert the crème brûlée and saint honoree and Paris-brest were scrumptious, we cleaned our plates! Florian was an excellent server and extremely friendly and helpful to us the entire time we dined. I would definitely come back again for the great service and food.
We ordered the onion soup and the beef bourguignon. The onion soup had a smoky, fire-grilled flavor that made it absolutely delicious. It’s definitely a dish each person should try at least once.
The beef bourguignon had a slight mix of pork as well. The mushrooms were well-seasoned, and the meat was tender and flavorful. The pre-meal bread was also pleasantly chewy, like it had been freshly baked in-house.
I ordered a small 250 ml beer, which I really appreciated since you can adjust the portion size. Even though the line was long, the staff were very busy and efficient, and the food was prepared quickly.
Overall, it’s a truly excellent restaurant. It will definitely brighten your day.
Had a lovely dinner out on the little terrace at this brasserie. It's in a very busy little laneway which adds to atmosphere. Food and drinks were delicious, well priced. Florian our waiter was the absolute best and kept everything running so smoothly!!! Thank you for a memorable dinner!
Would recommend making a reservation especially on a weekend!
Le Poulbot
| Address | 3 Rue Poulbot, 75018 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM |
| Phone | 09 74 64 10 71 |
Very friendly staff and excellent food. I highly recommend trying the escargots – they were delicious. The salmon was perfectly cooked, fresh, and full of flavor. The foie gras was also excellent.
Everything tasted fresh and well prepared. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and the air conditioning inside was a great bonus on a warm day.
Definitely worth a stop if you’re visiting Paris!
Amazing food and a wonderful experience! Everything we ordered was delicious, fresh, and full of flavour. The staff were incredibly kind, welcoming, and attentive, making us feel right at home. We would definitely come back and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Paris!
This place was absolutely perfect for our team dinner. The food is delicious very authentic, the service is outstanding. The waiters and the manager are very attentive. Food came out right away. We truly enjoyed our time there.
The duck leg was absolutely delicious, and the sauce was so amazing that I kept wanting more. The beef was incredibly tender—I couldn't believe how soft it was without being chewy at all.
Unfortunately, we found a hair in one of the dishes, but after we informed the staff, they immediately made a new one for us. The male server was extremely friendly, cheerful, and handled the situation very professionally.
This French cafe and restaurant in the area offers a delightful dining experience for both light meals and hearty lunches and dinners. The establishment boasts both indoor and outdoor seating, providing a pleasant ambiance with stunning views. I highly recommend making a reservation in advance, especially during peak hours. However, if you’re in the vicinity and the restaurant isn’t overly crowded, you can simply walk in and enjoy your meal. The food here is simply amazing, and the service is impeccable. Once you place your order, all the dishes arrive promptly.
Il était un burger...
| Address | 78 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | — |
Honestly, an absolute 10/10. The food was fresh, served quickly, delicious and our group of six agreed it was the best meal we’d had in Paris. The burgers were cooked really well and the chips were fried nicely. The food is all halal.
We tried five different burgers in the group and everyone enjoyed their order. It was reasonably priced and the drinks were also affordable unlike other restaurants.
Thank you so much for having us an accommodating our group - we had a great time. We wish you all the best for your business!
This was one of the best burgers I’ve ever had! Full of flavour and cooked perfectly to requested temperature. Fries hot and crispy. I Would highly recommend!
One of the best burgers I've ever tasted and my entire family agreed. It was about a 30 minute walk from our hotel, but we saw the good reviews and decided to try it. It was well worth the walk. The fries were amazing. The food came out quickly too! There was only one guy working and he was welcoming and friendly.
I love coming here with my boyfriend; we always start with the burrata and try a new burger each time. The quality is always amazing and the flavors are so fresh. Genuinely the best burgers in the 5ème! Cozy vibe and super friendly service too.
Excellent food experience. The food (burger and fries) and the service were truly exceptional. Fresh, high quality beef, cooked as should, with fresh toppings that together create something greater than the sum of their parts. The fries were hand-cut, not oily and very crunchy. Our server, Hugo was really kind and helpful. Nothing more to ask from a burger spot. You get what you pay for, in the true sense of the word.
Practical Tips for Eating Affordably in Paris
The difference between an expensive trip to Paris and a budget-friendly one often comes down to how you approach meals. A few simple habits can dramatically reduce your food spending while actually improving the quality of what you eat. These tips come from years of dining across the city and observing how Parisians themselves manage to eat well for less.
1). Choose lunch over dinner
The single most effective way to save money at Parisian restaurants is to eat your main meal at midday. Almost every bistro and brasserie offers a lunch formule that includes a starter and main course, or a main course and dessert, for a fraction of the evening à la carte price. The same dish that costs twenty euros at dinner might be part of a fifteen-euro lunch menu.
2). Drink tap water and house wine
In France, asking for une carafe d’eau is completely normal and free. Bottled water can add several euros to every meal. For wine lovers, the house wine served in a pichet or by the glass is usually a solid, locally sourced option that costs far less than bottled selections from the wine list.
3). Look for the menu du jour written on a chalkboard
The best-value meals in Paris are rarely printed on laminated menus. They are scrawled in chalk outside small restaurants each morning, reflecting what the chef found at the market. These daily specials are fresh, seasonal, and priced to move. If you see a chalkboard with one or two options, you have likely found a kitchen that takes pride in its work.
4). Step away from the tourist zones
Restaurants directly facing Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, or the Champs-Élysées pay enormous rents, and those costs are passed to the customer. Walking just five or ten minutes into a neighboring residential street can lower your bill by twenty to thirty percent. The food is often better because the restaurant must satisfy repeat local customers rather than one-time visitors.
5). Embrace ethnic and regional cuisines
Paris is home to outstanding Vietnamese, Lebanese, Moroccan, Senegalese, and Italian restaurants where generous portions are served at modest prices. A steaming bowl of pho in the 13th arrondissement or a plate of couscous in the 11th will fill you up for less than many French bistros charge for a starter.
6). Share and graze strategically
French portions are designed as multi-course experiences, but you do not always need three courses. Ordering one starter to share, two main courses, and one dessert is perfectly acceptable and keeps the bill reasonable. Bakeries, cheese shops, and open-air markets also offer excellent picnic supplies for a fraction of restaurant prices.
7). Avoid breakfast at your hotel
Hotel breakfasts in Paris are notoriously overpriced. A croissant and coffee at a corner café or a fresh baguette from a boulangerie costs only a few euros and delivers a far more authentic start to the day.
Eating affordably in Paris is not about compromise. It is about eating the way Parisians actually do. The city rewards those who wander, read chalkboards, and follow the lunch crowd. By choosing neighborhood spots over postcard views, you will discover a side of Paris that feels more intimate, more authentic, and far more delicious than anything a tourist menu can offer.
Paris remains one of the great food cities of the world, and its culinary treasures are not locked behind velvet ropes or starred kitchens. They are served on paper-topped tables in crowded rooms where the smell of roasting chicken and simmering stock spills onto the sidewalk. Bring your appetite, keep an open mind, and let the city’s affordable restaurants show you why Parisians remain so fiercely proud of their food culture.
