JUlie

We will be in Paris for the first time next month. We do not want to spend an arm and a leg on eating, in fact we are looking for inexpensive to budget type places. Don't need multi-course, dining experience meals. We're adventuresome eaters (we like lots of different cuisines and are open to new experiences, but are also interested in authentic French food). We don't need English menues or places that cater to tourists. In fact, we'd prefer places that are authentic and serve the residents of the Paris neighborhoods. What would you recommend? Are these the types of places where you need evening reservations?

Lutetia

If you like moules & frites, there's a chain called Léon de Bruxelles.

For quiche, sandwiches and salads, the Paul boulangerie chain is great quality and inexpensive.

Lots of great neighbourhood crêperies around Montparnasse also provide great meal options that won't break your budget.

nukesafe

I have heard that there are 8,000 restaurants in Paris. Almost all of them have menus posted outside, complete with prices. Just wander along from one to the next, looking for one that is full of French folks, the menu lists something you might enjoy, and the prices are within your budget. Most of them have a "Menu" listed, i.e., a fixed price meal that is usually a bargain.

You can hardly go wrong in that city, much less go hungry.

MademoiselleFifi

The OP's trip was nearly <i>eight years</i> ago!

jetsetj

we found panini places to be fresh and filling.

Chez Nico
44, Rue Mouffetard
75005 Paris, France
+33 1 45 87 28 13

jetsetj

geez i should have read more before i answered this is sure an old post

nukesafe

Me too! I thought it was a fresh thread. How did you unearth it, Lutetia?

sferguso

My husband and I are headed to Paris in December, so thanks for the fresh advice to this old post!

bluzmama

This kind of advice is timeless. I was interested enough to read it.

cferrb

Seriously unadventurous, but reliable and climate controlled -- the Carrousel. Go to the Louvre and ask for the Carrousel. They'll send you underground, where you'll find an American style food court, complete with a wonderful crepe stand and I don't remember what else. There's also a ticket machine there for the Louvre itself, with no line!

grandmere

Last week we had two very good meals at La Tourelle on rue Hautefeuille in the 6th; both times the only Eng. speakers there. Great value for the money. Tiny street very near Blvd St. Michel.

rs899

Has anybody tried this place in the ninth recently?

http://www.restaurant-chartier.com/w...filsdesans.php

I recall hearing about them some time ago, but we never tried them..

Rick

MademoiselleFifi

rs899, I enjoyed Chartier last year. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...omment-5315991 (scroll about half way into that post, after the dance class part).

Amy40

Twice over the years, I have eaten the Tagine at the Moroccan place at the Carrousel du Louvre. Not half bad! I also find the museum cafes to be a decent place to get an affordable meal. The garden cafe at the Rodin museum is very good, as are the two restos at the D'Orsay. We believe in dollar cost averaging...splurge one day, scrimp the next, fine dining at lunch, picnic at dinner.

Lutetia

nukesafe and jetsetj, this may be an old thread, but the topic is certainly timeless (as another poster pointed out). I would imagine forum visitors are always interested in restaurant recommendations.

nukesafe

You are quite right, Lutetia, but my question to you was how did this thread from 2002 appear on your screen? Were you searching "restaurants", using the new and improved search function, or did it just jump forward in time?

I just wish the $ would improve so we could go to Paris and dig out some new recommendations.

Lutetia

To be quite honest, I'm not sure. I think I was just browsing through threads and thought I would add something. I'm new here, and not sure I'm doing things the most efficient way.

kerouac

Eating cheaply in Paris is not difficult at all, especially in the outlying arrondissements.

My main advice is to ALWAYS study the menu posted outside (a legal requirement) before entering a restaurant. Things seem to become more complicated once you are comfortably seated.