Where to Eat in Paris on a Budget: Our Top 40 Spots

Paris is pricey and so too is the food. The luxurious haute dining that has epitomized Paris’s culinary scene for some time may be past its heyday, but that’s not to say the city has morphed into a hotbed of affordable and accessible eats. Quite the opposite in fact: it’s not uncommon, for instance, to be charged €20 for a limp salad, or €10 for a flat pint of beer. But fear not! There are a number of cheap restaurants that exemplify the intersection of good value and delicious food. You just have to know where to look. Here is a roundup of where to eat in Paris on a budget, chosen by our resident foodie Rachel Naismith. She has searched far and wide so you don’t have to! 

Classic French 

• Le Petit Vendôme  — one of our favorite spots for the best jambon beurre sandwich in Paris (and a glass of wine that don’t cost the earth). 8 Rue des Capucines, 75002 Paris.
• Polidor — for super cute interiors, great food, and hearty plates (the lunch menu costs €15,50 for two courses) at a reasonable price. 41 Rue Monsieur le Prince, 75006 Paris, France
• Crêperie Little Breizh — there are a tonne of crêperies all over Paris, but this is one of our favorite places for savory crepes and sweet treats. 11 Rue Grégoire de Tours, 75006 Paris.
• Le Maquis — a restaurant worth splashing out a bit more on. At lunch time, two (outstanding) courses on the set menu will set you back €22. 53 Rue des Cloys, 75018 Paris.
• Bouillon Chartier — a great place for traditional French bistro classics like Boeuf Bourguignon and French Onion soup in a glam dining room, all at an astoundingly low prices (just be prepared to queue). 7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris; 59 Boulevard du Montparnasse; 5 Rue du 8 Mai 1945 (across from Gare de l’Est), 75010 Paris
• Chez Foucher Mère et Fille — for classic French cuisine at lunch, prepared with high quality ingredients (all around the €10 mark). Come here for some of the best cheap eats in Paris. 13 Rue Madeleine Rebérioux, 75018 Paris.

Street Food

• Man’Ouché – for herby Lebanese flatbreads and filled wraps. 62 Rue Rambuteau, 75003 Paris.
• Jixioa’s Buns — this Chinese restaurant is great for handmade dumplings and umami-packed soups. Pretty much everything on the menu is under €10. 21 Quai des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris.
• Baby Love Burger — for tasty, high-quality smash burgers and fries. 63 Rue Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris.
• Patisserie de Choisy – for incredible Chinese-Vietnamese sweet at savory pastries for just a couple of euros each. 62 Av. de Choisy, 75013 Paris.
• Delitaly — for filling and authentic Roman-style pizza slices at €5 per slice. The pizza al taglio is particularly good. Multiple locations. 
• Patisserie de Saison — well-priced and by far the best bánh mì in the french capital (€3,50-€5,50). 65 Av. d’Ivry, 75013 Paris.
• Dumbo – for €10 cheeseburgers, you won’t go wrong here. Delish! Multiple Locations.
• Miznon – tried and true, gourmet tasting Middle-Eastern food that’s worth every penny. Multiple Locations.

Open Air Markets and Paris Grocery Stores

• Paris Markets – You can’t go wrong with one of the many open air markets in Paris for seasonal produce, quality meats and seafood, the finest artisanal products and more. Go at closing time to scoop up bargains and whip up a feast.
• Budget Grocery Stores – there are affordable grocery stores like Carrefour and Franprix seemingly around the corner from most places in Central Paris, where you’ll want to pick up your staples. To save an even prettier penny, budget stores like Aldi and Lidl are the places to go. Though not every one is a fan of frozen food, you can’t deny the appeal of Picard where many Parisians pick up quality ready made meals, frozen chopped vegetables, sweets and more.

Lunchtime prix-fixe (a.k.a set price menus)

• Most boulangeries — for a sandwich/ quiche + sweet treat + drink deal for around  €7. Multiple locations.
• Paloma — much adored by locals, this modern bistro serves a bargain €16 three-course meal every Monday-Friday lunchtime. 93 Rue Julien Lacroix, 75020 Paris.
• Rice and Fish — for excellent sushi (the lunchtime menu costs €13 and includes miso soup + crudité salad + various types of maki). 16 Rue Greneta, 75002 Paris.
• TOTO — a small Italian joint serving pizza and pasta at reasonable prices. At lunchtime you can get tasty formule for around the €8 mark. 35 Rue Godot de Mauroy, 75009 Paris.
• Bistrot Smiley –ignore the permanent menu, and opt instead for the lovingly made daily specials (Monday-Friday lunchtime) from this friendly and relaxed bistro on bustling Rue de Martyrs.  37 R. des Martyrs, 75009 Paris

Drinks

• Les Affranchis — an affordable and no-frills bar in the 11th arrondissement. A pint of beer costs less than €5 here during happy hour. 28 Bd Voltaire, 75011 Paris.
• Bar Ourcq — for a good time with pretty canal views and a perfect spot to play pétanque. 68 Quai de la Loire, 75019 Paris.
• Au Clair de Lune — for a trés Parisian-feeling bar and a long happy hour between 6pm and 10pm, this is a great spot. 1 Rue Ramey, 75018 Paris.
• Chez Marie — cocktails here are just €5 each during happy hour (6pm -9pm). 219 Rue Saint-Maur, 75010.
• Ola’s Cafe — Speciality coffee (or even dreadful, burnt Brasserie coffee) can cost an arm and a leg in Paris. This cute cafe serves up great filter coffee for €2,50 and iced coffee for €3,50. 14 Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris.

Family Friendly Restaurants in Paris

• Ground Control — a spacious and industrial-looking food hall home to a range of cuisines. Most plates hover around the €10 mark. 81 Rue du Charolais, 75012 Paris.
• Bricktop Pizzas — ideally located next to the buzzy Canal Saint-Martin, here you can get a killer margarita pizza for under €10. At lunchtime (Monday-Friday), all soft drinks are €1,50! 153 Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris
• Gumbo Yaya — for indulgent soul food (like homemade chicken and waffles) that will keep you full all afternoon this is the perfect place. 3 Rue Charles Robin, 75010 Paris
• Le REcyclerie —This canteen-style eatery serves fresh, locally-sourced food at reasonable prices (including a €13 Children’s Brunch). 83 Bd Ornano, 75018 Paris

Affordable Sit-down Dinners

• Bouillon Julien — another bouillon, this time more suited for dinner with its fancy art nouveau touches. Main dishes at Bouillon Julien hover around the €10 mark, and entrees cost between €3-5. This is a great option for traditional French dishes in beautiful surroundings,16 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris.
• Taco Loco — for some of the best Mexican food in Paris. At lunchtime there’s a two course meal deal for €12,50 and a kid’s menu for just €7,50. 12 Rue Armand Carrel, 75019 Paris.
• Levain Le Vin — for a very substantial €16 cheese platter (for 3+ people), alongside great homemade bread and top-notch glasses of wine for €4.50. 83 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, 75010 Paris.
• Kodawari Ramen — this ramen joint in the Latin Quarter, on the left bank, may have made its way into the Michelin Guide, but the prices remain decent. It does get busy though, so book ahead or be prepared to queue. 29 Rue Mazarine, 75006 Paris.
• Bistrot Victoires — an old-school, romantic bistro serving classic French dishes all day (a main course typically costs less than €11). 6 Rue de la Vrillière, 75001 Paris.

Dessert

• Pozetto — for the best gelato in the city (€4,90 for a very generous serving).  39 Rue du Roi de Sicile, 75004 Paris.
• Boris Lume — for their gorgeous basil-infused tarte au citron (€3,90). Pick one up early: they always sell-out! 48 Rue Caulaincourt, 75018 Paris
• Nonette Banh Mi and Donuts — for donuts inspired by the Chinese rousong bun (€2,5-€3,50). 71 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris
• Pasticceria Simona Paris —  for authentic and delectable Italian pastries (cannoli, sfogliatella, maritozzo — €3-€5). 8 Rue Mandar, 75002 Paris
• Gramme — for their molten dark chocolate chip and sea salt cookies. 86 Rue des Archives, 75003 Paris

RELATED LINKS

• More smart tips to save money Paris on a budget: 30 Tips from a Local
• Save on your next trip in Paris by checking out these 8 Temporary Accommodations for Any Budget.
• There’s a long list you can do in Paris without having to break the bank! Plan ahead on What to Do in Paris this Fall.

Written by Rachel Naismith for HIP Paris. Looking to travel? Check out Plum Guide and our Marketplace for fabulous vacation rentals in Paris, France or Italy. Looking to rent long or short term, or buy in France? Ask us! We can connect you to our trusted providers for amazing service and rates or click here. Looking to bring France home to you or to learn online or in person? Check out our marketplace shop and experiences.