Hey everyone. I'm looking for some interesting and fun restaurants/bistros/cafés to try here in Paris. As a student living here, I've been trying to save my precious euros by cooking at home, but what am I supposed to tell people when I get home? Yes, my favorite meal was ... lasagne??? I am absolutely terrible at picking a "good" place to eat. What makes it good? How do I know whether the price is right or not in this wonderfully price-inflated town? Plus, I also feel quite self-conscious because I'll be going out by myself, as all of my friends are from the UK and have thusly nipped across the channel for the holidays.

If it matters, I live in the 20th and go to university in the 5th.

Thanks!!!

Try Vesuvio, just off the Bd. St-Germain and opposite the church. Excellent Italian and French food, and I think they take student vouchers.

For some budget options, see http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

Try the Pause Café on the corner of rue de Charonne and Avenue Ledru-Rollin (metro Ledru-Rollin). It's got quite a trendy, young atmosphere and the food is great (there's even the odd vegetarian option).

For a cheap, cheerful and filling meal, you could try one of the creperies around Montparnasse - my favourite is Creperie de Josselin on rue du Montparnasse. You can't book but it's worth standing in line for a table as turnover is quick and the savoury galettes are really tasty (and huge!).

Excellent! Thanks for the suggestions, and especially for the link to the other post (SemiMike). I realize that people are asking this question quite a lot so I appreciate your taking the time (probably your umpteenth time) to post!

Chez Papa. A dozen locations around Paris.

You won't have to walk far to get to Balzar, on rue des Ecoles. This Brasserie is an upbeat and fun place where you can get steak & poulet/frites or steak Tartare etc. At night the University crowd is much in evidence. Not cheap, I admit, but it will be worth it for a special occasion. And you can compare/contrast Balzar vs the NYC Balthazar and other US & UK brasseries. Check it out on the FLO web site.

Hi S,

You go to school in the 5th and have yet to seek out any of the cafes frequented by students?

Le Pot de Terre 22 rue Pot de Fer 01 43 31 15 51 Near the Jardin des Plantes Mº Monge Inexpensive 14E pp

Pizza Vesuvio is at 1 Rue Gozlin, metro St. Germaine des Pres.

There is a very good crepe stand on that corner.

Also any of the Leon de Bruxelles venues for moules et frites.

Check out the Flo Brasserie chain.

There are some nice places on and around Rue Guisard near St. Sulpice, on and around Rue de Buci near SGdP, at the intersection of the Booul St Germain and Boul Mich.

What is the budget, exactly? There are some nice little places "behind" Place des Vosges that are youthful in vibe and friendly, low-key, non-stodgy. Do you plan to splash out--within reason for a student--once or twice?

Don't worry about eating alone, dear. I've done it in France, and I'm an utter clod.

Let us know where you've eaten and what you liked.

Hi, thanks for the tips. To clarify/expand on what I've said:

I am a university student in the 5th, but at Censier *shudder* not what people usually think of when they see "Sorbonne" in the name. I know, it really stinks I haven't been to some student favorites, but it's hard when the students decide to go on strike for 4 1/2 weeks (not kidding!) and block the university. Since I don't live in the area, I've just been prowling the 20th.

As for price, I'm really not that strict about it. Groceries are expensive too, so I think I just need to relax a bit. Plus I'm looking for some nice places to take my mom when she comes in two weeks. I desperately need to break her of the steak-frites syndrome.

I'll pretty much try anything for food, except anything containing blood (no boudin noir) and personally, I find the idea of andouillette, um, creepy on so many levels.

Again, I really appreciate the help you've given so far. I get so excited when I see someone's posted! I'm starting to hungrily plan my next week (no school for Christmas vacation. Will I ever be in class? Will I ever teach again? My students have lost all interest in English ...).

For one of the dinners with your mother, you might like L'Avant Gout on rue Bobillot in the 13th, right by Place d'Italie. It's a very low-key and ever-so-slightly gastronomic bistro that I have enjoyed on 3 separate occasions, although I've read here that some people "don't get it" (?). I go back because I like the food and ambience, but since you're in town, go check the menu out first.

A place I tried and liked that was recommended here is L'Ecume on blvd Henri IV in the 4th--Salersian steak, so Mom might like that. Traditional, old-fashioned, no-pretense (both dogs and smokers present last April).

Neither of these are student-cheap, but they shouldn't break the bank either.

p.s. I went to France with a friend last spring. She hadn't been back since she had been a miserable, lonely, non-French-speaking student/au pair in Paris a gazillion years ago. She loves it now but it was hard for her then. She *claims* the only food she ate for ten months was jambon sandwiches and McFishwiches. Hang in there, Sheepie!

Okay, update:

I tried Pause and it was OK. I had a tuna steak with veg--I asked for my tuna medium and it came well done (hate that!). Is there a special fish-ordering code or something? On the other had, the veggies were great. Balsamic reduction and pesto drizzled over the top--yum. Glass of Corbières was tasty and the coffee was excellent--Lavazza. I know most people prefer Illy, but I think Lavazza is good too; my Italian teacher drinks it.

Leely, thanks for the suggestions, and the funny story. Made me laugh! I don't eat McDo or any fast food for that matter, but all of my students do! Yikes. The bistronomy place sounds cool; I'll check it out. Obviously I've been living under a rock b/c the first time I heard about this was about a week ago when I was laid up with a deadly cough, reading articles on Gridskipper.