Hi there, we are heading to paris on the 30th September and were wondering if anyone had any recommendations for any restaurants that are good but wont stretch the budget. We are staying near the Picpus or Nation metro stations.

Thanks!

We didn't really eat at any good budget restaurants in Paris. Instead we ate really cheap (crepes and baguettes) and then splurged on nicer dinners. We also bought food from the grocery store.

the following is in my Paris file, the suggestions are not in your hotel neighborhood, but they may get you thinking about choices.

family eating suggestion from Fodor?s forum
"Consider visiting some creperies. They are casual, fairly inexpensive, and provide a dining
experience that is quite French, but need not be challenging, i.e., there are a range of choices for crepe fillings both sweet and savory that vary from the familiar (ham and cheese, chocolate) to the new and foreign (chestnut purée). Most creperies also have other dishes, like omelettes and
salads, as well. Another bonus is that creperies tend to be open for continual service, which might be helpful if your kids have a hard time waiting until the French dinner hour.
Two that we thought were very good are Creperie des Arts, 27, rue Saint-André-des-
Arts (6th arr.) and Creperie Beaubourg, next to the fountain at the Place Igor Stravinsky, adjacent to the Centre George. Another place that might be fun is Paradis du Fruit, a place with sandwiches, salads, etc. and also a wide selection of fruit smoothies and fruit-and-ice-cream concoctions with a French twist. 27-29, quai des Grand-Augustins (6h arr.), across the Seine from the Ile de la Cité."
Elaine?s note: Frommer?s BudgetTravel magazine Feb 03 also recommends Creperie Josselin, 67 rue de Montparnasse, phone 01 43 20 93 50, metro Montparnasse-Bienvenue.
International Travel News Feb 04 mentioned Creperie de Cluny, 20 rue de la Harpe, 5th. Crepes, oinion soup, beer, etc. dinner for two about 32 euro.

Student(university) restaurants:
Open to the public, only those with a French student card pay student rates, but even so the rates are very reasonable. In Paris:
IUT Descartes, 143 Ave de Versailles, 16th. West-Indian influence on the food. Mon-Fri 11-1:45 only.
Le Mabillon 4,, 12 rue Clement, 6th. Very very good food. Reserve 2 days ahead for this gourmet experience. Tel (0)1 43 25 66 23 Mon Fri 11:30-2 and 6-8pm.
Necker, 155 rue de Vaugirard, 15th. Food choices from around the world. Mon-Fri 11:30-1:45 and 6-8.

For more bargain suggestions:
http://www.top10guides.com/samples/T..._to_Paris.html (their top 10 inexpensive places to eat)

http://www.cnn.com/TRAVEL/PURSUITS/F...09/paris.cheap

Léon de Bruxelles--it's a chain--for mussels, and only mussels.

Thanks all for the answers so far, we'll certainly take the ideas on board!