Hi, my husband and I are going to Paris in a few weeks and will be staying near the Opera (actually I think it is across the street.) I was wondering if any of you could recommend some good places to eat. I figure breakfast is the main meal we will eat near our hotel, and then go sightseeing. Dinner near the hotel on a couple nights would probably be a good idea too. We are trying to stay on a budget, so nothing too expensive please. But we will probably splurge one night on an expensive dinner. I have been to Paris once before as a high school student, but my husband has never been there. The meals I enjoyed the most when I was there were the simple things like a chocolate croissant in the morning, and crepes, croques monsieurs, and sandwiches on a baguette for a quick lunch. Just quick bites like that. Are there any good places for that near the Opera? And of course places for a traditional, reasonably priced dinner? Thanks everyone.

HI
I'm going in December myself, and staying just south of the Opera.
I've researched the following, they are all within a reasonable walk from the Opera though a bit farther south or east in the 1st which I know better because I've stayed in that area before

Le Safran, 29 rue d?Argenteuil

La Sourdiere, 4 rue de la Sourdiere

Le Dauphin, 167 rue St Honore

Leon de Bruxelles, 120 rue Ramubuteau
(for mussels and frites, pretty cheap)

Lescure, rue Mondavi
great value prix fixe, not haute cuisine but a good value I think

For more details, you can search on them by name here, or email me and I'll send you my Paris file
email is [email protected]

Thank you Elaine for your suggestions, I will look those up. Does anyone else hae any favorites?

I don't know restaurants in that area too well as I don't stay around there, but I do really like Le Grand Cafe at 4, bd des Capucines. The food was very good, moderately priced, but the main room itself is very beautiful (although I enjoy the front tables in summer). For you, it might be considered the splurge dinner -- probably around 35-40 euro per person with wine.

I never plan out breakfast spots, just look around the hotel and see what looks best that is close by.

the advantage of Christina's great suggestion (I think its full name may be
le Grand Cafe des Capucines) is that it is open 24-7, a good stop on your arrival day when you don't know if it's time for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

I don't usually dine in that area, either, but since you're going to be right at the Opéra, don't miss the chance to pop into Café de la Paix, even if it's just for a look-see. It's gorgeous, and if you're so inclined you can spend all afternoon lounging on a velvet sofa surrounded by orchids under a chandelier the size of Rhode Island, sipping a 10 euro pot of tea.

We stayed in Paris on the Right Bank, not too far from the Opera, but we thought there were a lot more interesting, reasonably priced restaurants on the Left Bank. So we usually took the Metro over there for dinner.

We had Christmas Eve dinner at Le Grand Cafe, and it was nice, but not outstanding. The atmosphere had more to recommend it than the food, which was okay but not great. We picked it because we could make reservations ahead of time online, and we knew it would be hard to get Christmas Eve dinner reservations.

Actually, one Right Bank place I would recommend (again more for the ambience than the food) is Chartier.
http://www.restaurant-chartier.com
It's a fun, real "old Paris" place, and is quite reasonably priced.

I second the reccomendation for Le Dauphin. Based on your budget, it would either your 'splurge' dinner or a reasonable night out. This restaurant is good to keep in mind for Sunday dinner, since not too many places are serving then. We usually have street food for lunch or Chinese take-out, which is a good way to get fresh vegetables.

I thought Le Grand Cafe was terrific. You can check out their website at legrandcafe.com.