Looking for the best cheap restaurants in Paris where you can eat affordably and deliciously? Ah Paris, the city of light, love and… bon repas. Paris is known for its refined (luxury) gastronomy, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any fun and trendy places to enjoy French cuisine on a budget. There are countless bistros, brasseries and good restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner for just a few euros. In every district you can find affordable, authentic French dishes, such as a soupe à l’oignon or croque-monsieur.
If you really want to eat cheaply and deliciously, the best crêperies in Montparnasse are also an excellent choice. Enjoy a savoury crêpe with ham and cheese or a sweet version with Nutella and banana. Falafel restaurants such as L’As du Fallafel in the Jewish quarter Le Marais are also worth a culinary visit. In addition, there are many Asian restaurants where you can order a steaming bowl of ramen or a fragrant pho for a small budget. And then of course there are the famous inexpensive bouillons. These are the best cheap eats in the centre of Paris where you can eat cheaply and deliciously. Bon appétit!
TIP: affordable food in a somewhat more expensive bistro or brasserie? Order an affordable lunch formula at noon. Water with your meal? Order a carafe d’eau instead of an eau mineral. Then you will get tap water that is not charged.
• Fun to do: Tickets Cruise on the Seine by Bateaux Mouches (1h) →
• Nice combo: Tickets Louvre Museum + Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor or Summit →
1. Bouillon Chartier: cheap food in a classic French bistro (14th)
A classic French bistro where you can enjoy authentic dishes such as oeuf mayo or boeuf bourguignon for (very) little money. The atmosphere is lively, the service is fast and the art-deco interior is beautiful. The place to taste traditional French cuisine without spending a fortune. The original concept of the bouillon in Paris? An elegant, no-nonsense establishment that provided workers with a warm bowl of tasty bouillon, accompanied by a piece of crusty bread and a portion of meat. This reasonable restaurant is not high culinary, but it is certainly an experience. No reservation necessary, but come on time: there is often a very long queue. If you come around 6 pm, you can often avoid the queue.
7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris | Bouillon-chartier.com →
2. Pizzeria Popolare: delicious Italian food in Paris (2nd)
Pizzeria Popolare is located in the bustling 2nd arrondissement and attracts long lines of locals and tourists every day. It belongs to the famous Big Mamma group (East Mamma in Bastille, Ober Mamma in Oberkampf, etc.). With an interior full of bottles of liqueur and an open kitchen where the affordable pizzas slide into the wood oven with craftsmanship. Definitely try the classic Margherita or go for a delicious truffle pizza. For dessert, you can enjoy a bit of dolce vita with a classic coffee tiramisu or a sunny limoncello.
111 Rue Réaumur, 75002 Paris | Circolopopolare.com →
3. Chez Gladines: reasonable and authentic French-Basque dishes (5th)
The Parisian restaurant Chez Gladines has a funky and atmospheric interior and serves French-Basque cuisine. Enjoy specialties such as poulet basquaise, omelette basque or cassoulet, all served with a hearty portion of crispy potatoes and salad. Chez Gladines has 5 locations in Paris where you can go for a tasty and cheap meal. Highly recommended.
44 Bd Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris | Chezgladines-saintgermain.fr →
4. La Felicita: trendy food hall for affordable and tasty dining (13th)
La Felicità is a large and trendy food hall where you can enjoy Italian delicacies in a vibrant atmosphere. With colorful decoration, long tables and open kitchens, it feels like a lively street party where you can enjoy pizzas, pastas and delicious cocktails. Whether you come for a quick lunch or an extensive drink with friends, there is always something to do here. Expect good food, a pleasant crowd and again a touch of dolce vita in the heart of the city.
5 Parv. Alan Turing, 75013 Paris | Lafelicita.fr →
5. Le Petit Vendôme: cozy and authentic bistro (2nd)
Le Petit Vendôme is a cozy and authentic bistro, famous for its generously filled baguette sandwiches. Located just off Place Vendôme, this no-frills hotspot attracts both businessmen and locals looking for a cheap lunch. The atmosphere is uncomplicated and cozy, with wooden tables and waiters who take your order with typical Parisian flair. Whether you go for the classic jambon beurre or a juicy entrecote, here you can eat the way the French do it best: simple, quick and delicious.
8 Rue des Capucines, 75002 Paris | Lepetitvendome.fr →
6. L’As du Fallafel: famous and tastiest falafel in Paris (4th)
For many, one of the best falafels in Paris. Above the front door it says ‘Recommended by Lenny Kravitz’. The rocker is a regular, just like Natalie Portman! This small restaurant in Le Marais is known for its falafels that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, topped with a creamy tahini sauce and fresh vegetables. Impossible to miss this place: pass the long queue on the rue des Rosiers to discover the famous green facade. Don’t hesitate to sit inside for a real Parisian experience or opt for take-away.
34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris | Instagram.com/lasdufallafel/ →
7. Restaurant Polidor: setting for the film Midnight in Paris (6th)
Restaurant Polidor is a charming bistro in the heart of the Latin Quarter, where time seems to stand still. With its wooden tables, vintage decor and classic French dishes, it feels like you’ve stepped into a Hemingway novel (the restaurant was also the setting for the film Midnight in Paris). The menu offers authentic dishes such as boeuf bourguignon and crème brûlée. Students, writers and tourists flock here for an affordable meal in a nostalgic setting.
41 Rue Monsieur le Prince, 75006 Paris | Polidor.com →
8. Trois Fois Plus de Piment: for lovers of spicy food (14th)
Trois Fois Plus de Piment is ideal for lovers of (very) spicy food and Szechuan flavours. This small, informal restaurant serves noodles and dumplings that you can have customised on a scale (0 to 5) from mild to extremely spicy. The atmosphere is simple but lively with a lot of locals. The restaurant was awarded the ‘Best Noodles’ award in the Fooding guide in 2016. They now have several locations.
27 Rue Mouton-Duvernet, 75014 Paris | Troisfoisplusdepiment.fr →
9. Brasserie Dubillot: colorful tiles, open kitchen and cozy atmosphere (2nd)
Brasserie Dubillot is a modern twist on the classic Parisian brasserie. With its colorful tiles, open kitchen, and cozy atmosphere, it’s the perfect place for an aperitif or a hearty French meal. Think juicy entrecotes, homemade pâtés, and creamy dauphinoise potatoes, all accompanied by an excellent wine list. They have a number of other hip restaurants that offer great value for money.
222 Rue St Denis, 75002 Paris | Lanouvellegarde.com →
10. Candelaria: hidden gem for authentic Mexican food (3rd)
Candelaria is a hidden gem where you can find the best tacos and cocktails. From the front it looks like a small, cozy Mexican eatery, but if you look closely you will discover a secret door to an atmospheric cocktail bar in the back. Here you can enjoy creative drinks in an intimate setting, perfect for a night out full of mystery. Whether you stick around for the margarita or just come for the crispy tortillas, Candelaria does not disappoint.
52 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris | Candelaria-paris.com →
