Hello all. In less than 3 weeks I depart for my first solo trip to Paris to celebrate my 34th birthday. I will be staying at Hotel Jardin de L'Odeon in the 6th and was wondering if you could recommend a few nearby places to eat breakfast and dinner within walking distance of my hotel. Since I am a solo traveller and am pretty sure I will feel uncomfortable dining alone later into the evening, I will be making lunch my main meal of the day...most likely out and about town. I'd like to spend about 25-35 euro or less for a light dinner before heading "home" for the night. I'm definitly not a "foodie", but would like to try foie gras, french cheeses, wine and some yummy desserts. Is this possible given my budget? Also, is there a grocery nearby where I might be able to purchase bottled water and snacks?

I'm sure you will get many recommendations here, but you might also try the bonjourparis.com web site and look for the restaurants forum, where there's an entire thread on restaurants in the 6th.

other threads re: restaurants in the 6th

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34538493

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34540103

Thanks Underhill and Travelnut for the links. I did do a search here on Fodors, but for some reason found mostly higher priced dining options. Of course, I am rather new to this board and probably just didn't "dig" deep enough. Thanks again! Off to check out bonjourparis...

We have gotten bottled water, flowers for the room, wine and other things at the Marche Saint-Germain. It is on rue Clement a block off rue de Seine behind Gerard Mulot which is a great place for pastries both sweet and savory. Happy Birthday.

AGM_Cape_Cod, I really appreciate your posting. Not only for the great directions, but for the idea about flowers for the room. Such a nice gift to yourself!

thatgirl,
you won't be that far from rue de Buci where there are wonderful food shops. My favorite has windows full of the most perfect pastries and tarts..we would sometimes pick up some with coffee to go and go back to our hotel room for a late afternoon tea break.
There is also a shop with cheeses and meats and food to take away..
This is one of the wonderful things about Paris- it is so easy to find good food
Look for MonoPrix or Franprix for supermarket shopping. ( there is one on the corner of rue Cler & rue de Grenelle ) but I cannot remember where they are in the 6th.
Happy Birthday

Thank you Scarlett for the information and the birthday wishes. You are too sweet! I used mappy to find the street you refer to, and it doesn't look too far away. I will definitely keep your suggestion in mind. I also googled and found the Monoprix website with a map. Very useful!

Eeeeee! I can't wait! Only 19 more days!

I always buy flowers for the room. In the markets they are usually very reasonably priced for flowers that I can't get a home-ie poppies or runculus. To me fresh flowers are the height of luxury and the places we stay aren't in that price point. Have a great trip and birthday and don't forget to come back and tell us everything!!!

Hi, Hope you have a very nice time celebrating! Don't worry about places to eat because where you're staying you'll be falling over them! Loads in Blvd.St.Germain and every street running off it.
You will see many people dining alone so try not to feel shy - usually you get more attentive service!
I met two Fodorites one evening and was shown a little place called Restaurant L'Insulaire, 16 rue Gregoire de Tours, Metrodeon-Mabillon(it's between the two). You will be made to feel most welcome and the prices are very reasonable. Go for a set menu.

Dina, On my most recent solo trip to Paris, I had two pleasant and not terribly expensive dinners at Aux Charpentiers at 10 rue Mabillon and a lovely lunch Rotisserie d'en Face at 2 rue Christine. I also recommend Cosi at 54 rue de Seine for inexpensive, but tasty and fresh, sandwiches and L'as ue Fallafel at 34 rue des Rosiers in the Marais for the best fallafel I've ever had (for the bargain price of about 5 Euro). I also went to an American-style diner on late night called Breakfast in America on rue des Ecoles. I know it may seem weird to eat American style food while in Paris, but it was actually quite fun. I sat at the counter and chatted with the waiter, a New Zealander. It attracts a lot of students.

On my first solo trip to Paris in 2002, I was very overwhelmed by all my dining options. I wandered aimlessly each night without much direction. For my second trip to Paris in September of 2005, I compiled a list of moderately priced places (most of which are in the 6eme) from various guide books and from Fodorite recommendations. Even though I didn't end up going to most of them, it did help me get more familiar with the neighborhood. I would be happy to email that to you if you'd like.

I also received good recommendations from my hotel's front desk. They were more than happy to "steer me in the right direction" and to make reservations for me. You might try that as well. I will say that I was always treated quite politely wherever I went. I have even grown to like dining alone.

Have a great time and a happy birthday. Paris is such a fabulous destination for the solo traveler. Incidentally, I'm spending my 37th b-day there next fall on a solo trip to Paris, Brugge and Amsterdam.

Kate

There is no reason you should feel uncomfortable eating dinner alone, even in a nice restaurant.

I make frequent international business trips and I hate eating room service, so I very often go to top restaurants by myself. I always bring something to read (newspaper, magazine) since I don't want to sit there staring at the walls, but there is no reason you should spend your evenings in your hotel.

Paris also has great night life -- jazz clubs, bars, music, theater, opera, etc. -- and I think it would be wasteful to spend the nights watching TV.

Believe me, no one is going to stare at you if you eat alone or go to an event alone.

Hello Dina, I just want to tell you that it will not be difficult to find a 1-person repas for that price. But be aware of two things: 1)restaurants have light prices for lunch and heavier for dinner, for the very same meats; the "Menu" dishs, even if they are called the same of the 'à la carte' dish, will not have the same content nor quantity. So if you really like a particular thing, eat it from the more expensive option 'à la carte'. Menus are very usefull when you want to taste lots of things.

IndyGirl:
By the way, can you e-mail me that list too? [email protected]
I will really appreciate, I adore both, Paris and interesting restaurants...

Indygirl, would you be so kind and email the list to me also? My address is [email protected]. Thank you!

Indygirl, could you include me in your sending? My email is [email protected] Thanks!

Hey, Miki how are you?

First off, let me start by saying how much I've enjoyed browsing this board. I cannot believe that I just logged off for a matter of minutes and upon my return have all sorts of fabulous recommendations! I cannot thank you all enough. You've really calmed my anxieties and made me look forward to this trip even more. I'm emailing this thread and will print it out before I leave for reference.

Indygirl, I'd love to have a copy of your list. Feel free to email me at [email protected]

Hi T,

La Mediteranee on Pl Odeon, opposite the theater, is very good. I thiink their menu is about 25E.

There is a Monoprix store at 50, rue de Rennes.

Here is my list of solo dining favorites...
Here are the bistros....

Le Caveau de l'Isle
36 rue Saint Louis en l'Isle 4e arr, Paris
Metro- Pont Marie (closer) or St Paul
Open everyday for lunch and dinner
www.lecaveaudelisle.com

One of my favorites. High quality and beautifully served food at a reasonable price. This bistro also has friendly service and a warm atmosphere. 3 course lunch or dinner is 19.95 euro. I've been there 3 times and I have never been disappointed. Its on the Ile St Louis so you can also do some shopping and sightseeing while you are here.

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp...eau_de_li.html
http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp...eau_de_l_.html
http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp...eau_de_li.html

Le Petit Troquet
28 rue de l'Exposition 7e arr., Paris
Metro - Ecole Militaire

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent. Beautifully prepared food and a warm welcome. Service is humble and friendly. I thought the food was more creative than most other places. This place has a nice atmosphere and a good 3 course menu for 28 euro.

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp...it_troque.html

Le Florimond
19 ave Motte Piquet 7th arr.
Paris - Tel - 01 45 55 40 38
Metro - Ecole Militaire

A very friendly place near the Eiffel Tower with excellent food and a warm welcome. 3 course lunch is about 24 euro. Always a smile and yummy food.

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp...florimond.html


La Cafetiere
21 rue Mazarine 6e arr., Paris
Metro - Odeon

22 euro for a 3 course lunch. Located in St Germain. The food here is typical French and the atmospohere is tight but warm. Its a little more modern than most.

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp...cafetiere.html


Le Tir-Bouchon
22 rue Tiquetonne
2e arr., Paris
Metro - Etienne Marcel
www.le-tirbouchon.com

This is one of my new "finds" from my recent trip. Its a cozy little place with relaxed service and some really well prepared food. The food is what i would call comfort food like your mommy would make. 3 course dinner menu is 28 euro.

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp...irbouchon.html

For a good meal on the street or in your room pick up a fallafel at L'As du Fallafel, 34 rue des Rosiers in the Marais. They say it the best in the world. Across the street is Florence Finkelsztajn (19 Rue
des Rosiers), pick up a piece of their delctable and soft creamy cheesecake.

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp..._fallafel.html

One other place I like that i didn't go to this year was Le Relais Saint Paul, 33 rue Francois Miron. Its a soft lit cozy place where you can have a nice quiet dinner. The fixed price menu is pretty good and I really loved the cheese plate.

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp...ais_de_sa.html

Indygirl..can you mail me the list too.

[email protected]