Inexpensive dining in Paris
 

Hi friends,

I'm heading to Paris in 93 days (yes, I'm counting!) and would like to find recommendations for inexpensive restaurants, say around $25 USD per person for a dinner with house wine. I have my list from 2 years ago but I'm sure many on the list are now outdated. I'd like to update it with recent recommendations.

We'll be staying on the right bank at the beginning of our trip and the left bank at the end of our trip.

Merci!

Monica ((F))

Monica, just wander around to all the targets that attract you, and when you get hungry, look at the many menus in the many places where you'll happen to be, they are usually posted. To keep within budget, look for words like Prix Fixe, Plat du Jour, Assiette du Jour, Vin Compris.

It seems like putting the cart before the horse to orient your movements according to addresses of such restaurants when they are literally all over town.

There's also this: What pleased someone else may not please you - the menu may have changed, the chef may have changed, your tastes might be different...

Realize that the most expensive restaurants (even if they don't look it) will be in the most expensive real-estate locations - fronting big squares, lavish promenades - prime locations. Step around the corner into a side street and prices come down.

Make your own discoveries, that's a big part of the fun.

Bon appétit.

Check on line for Le Relais de L'Entrecote at 20 Rue de Saint Benoit in the 6th. No menu- only one thing so no choices need to be made! You get a green salad,followed by steak and chips with a renowned sauce with second helpings if you wish. There may be two in Paris but we enjoyed this one as it was a short walk from our hotel (Hotel Pas de Calais) which is right off blvd Sainte Germaine.
We also had dinner near the hotel (in fact suggested at the desk) at Claude Sainlous 27 rue du Dragon. We also walked there.

Check out the Pudlo Guide for Paris. Lots of listings with descriptions and price range. I borrowed one from my local library for my trip to Paris last fall.

For an inexpensive meal of Chinese or Thai food, check out The Rose of Sommerard on Rue Sommerard near the Cluny Museum. Cute restaurant with lace curtains in the window. Good food, and it fits your budget.

In the 7th, Pizza Tina on Avenue Bosquet. The head waiter is very charming, especially if you can speak a little Italian to him. Full of locals, not tourists.

Thin

On the Left Bank, we like Vesuvius--right across from the church of St-Germain-des-Prés. It's a mix of French and Italian food, and the atmosphere is lively; 'the restaurant is popular with students from the Sorbonne.

For the Right Bank, try L'Ardoise. It's on the rue Mont-Thabor, between the rue de Rivoli and the Place Vendôme.

If it doesn't have to be French food, Pizza Tina on the avenue Bosquet is a great Italian place run by a wild family of Sicilians - and Punjab, just off the Place Ecole Militaire on the avenue de Tourville is really good Indian (huge portions - don't order too much).

bookmarking

We enjoyed Perraudin, which was a Fodor recommendation. It is on the Left Bank, on St. Jacques. We sat next to an ex-pat American couple who were entertaining U.S. visitors and who said that was where they always take visiting guests.

In the more residential areas, many of the Tabacs have a cafe attached to them. They offer a limited menu at lunch, of maybe 3 items but often they are home-cooking and delicious. It is a bit hit and miss but can be fun. Faux filet (sirloin steak) and frites with vegetable, and fruit tarte of some kind for dessert for E12. House wine E6 a demi pitchet.

Good luck!

bookmarking..I would like to try a few new places this time around too

Hi Monica,
We loved Le Hangar on Impasse Berthaud right by the Pompidou Center. It's cash only, fyi w/ no prix fixe but good prices. And Le Petit Picard on Rue St Croix de la Bretonnerie has a very inexpensive fixed price meal. Friendly - you share long tables with others.

Pudlo guide was helpful and I bought it on Amazon.

Try "Au Bougnat" at 26 Rue Chanionesse. Just a few blocks from Notre Dame.

In several years time, we've probably eaten there on 8 or 9 occassions, and enjoyed every one of them.

The thin ribeye steak and frites is excellent for the price.

Hey Monica:

Here's a link to my recent blog post that includes restaurants and bars we ate at: http://kylemcnichols.blogspot.com/20...an-4-2009.html. I tried to include prices if I had written them down.

We stayed in the 18th, but there are restaurants here, there, and everywhere on this list. Hope it helps!

Chartier (http://www.restaurant-chartier.com/www/visit/atable.php)

Polidor (http://www.polidor.com/menu.htm)

Leon de Bruxelles (http://www.leon-de-bruxelles.fr/)

I second Chartier and Leon de Bruxelles. Neither of which qualify as fine dining, and I doubt that Chartier really has <i>poulet fermier</i> given the price.

Also, here are some others that we didn't get to, but that people had good things to say about:

1. Au Piano Muet--a raclette restaurant with grilled meats at the table. About &euro;19. Rue Mouffetard.

2. Au Vieux Ch&ecirc;ne-- not sure of the prices here, but apparently the grouse is great. 7 rue du Dahomey.

3. Le Relais-- a century-old bistro that was one of the haunts of &Eacute;dith Piaf. In Montmartre.

4. Le Bouillon Chartier-- 7 rue du Faubourg.

Again, didn't eat at any of them, so can't recommend them personally. But maybe someone else can weigh-in about them. Have fun!

Chartier is &quot;an experience,&quot; but not necessarily a culinary one. I was glad to go there - once.

Lots of advice already here on this subject! For example, check http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35177772 and its links.

&quot;Check on line for Le Relais de L'Entrecote at 20 Rue de Saint Benoit in the 6th&quot;

I second this choice if you're in the 6th near Saint Germain Church.

We always eat here at least twice during each visit to Paris.

Always served the same meal, a version of Steak au Poive, and they even give you a second serving after you've eaten the first. Was an excellent meal at reasonable cost. Go early or expect to wait in line as this place is very popular.

We loved eating at La Pergola. It is not listed on any web pages or on any sites. It is just a really good local brasserie. To find it, go down Avenue De Saint-Ouen toward the Boulevard Peripherique until it intersects with Boulevard Ney on the right and Boulevard Bessieres on the left. This is a large intersection. Turn left and go maybe 50 feet. La Pergola is on the left. We ate wonderful meals -3 courses each with wine for 24E.

Thanks everyone! Lots of great suggestions.

I've been to Polidor a few times. Always enjoyed it.

Leon de Bruxelles was on my previous list but never got there. Hopefully I'll get there in May.

Yes, any type of food is fine with us.

Monica ((F))

bookmarking. Thanks!

Le Petit St. Benoit is a great little bistro that dates from 1901; it is reasonably priced, good, crowded, and you need to go early b/c they don't take reservations. It was recommended to me by the Hotel des Marronniers, where I was staying just a couple of blocks away.

4, rue St-Benoit, in the 6th.

Have a great trip!

We may go to Le Relais de L'Entrecote for their steaks. We went to Robert et Louise in 2007 and it was excellent but expensive. Loved the atmosphere.

Pizza Tina is one place my father-in-law recommended. Should be a good place for lunch.

For the right bank, we'll be staying in an apartment on 66 rue St. Antoine. I did a google maps and see that Monoprix is across the street, a Nicholas a few doors down, and a small corner fruit/vegetable market/store.

For the left bank, we'll be staying at Grands Hommes next to the Pantheon.

Monica ((F))

Monica, your last post stopped me in my tracks as we used to rent an apartment at 66 rue St Antoine that was owned by a French immersion specialist from Chevy Chase.

Anyway, that jogged my memory about L'Impasse (4, Impasse Gu&eacute;m&eacute;n&eacute;e), which is right around the corner from the apt. Quite good and inexpensive.

Also liked Coconnas (2 bis, pl de Vosges), also in the neighborhood.

http://www.lescotelettes.com/english/index.php

The above, formerly-known-as L'Impasse . . .

Thanks for all the great recommendations! My 24 year-old daughter and I are going to Paris with Monica and cannot wait. Monica and I stayed in the Marais two years ago and we loved the area. I'm also looking forward to staying on the Left Bank at the end of our trip.
Monet, how did you like staying at 66 rue St. Antoine?

Monet77,

To add to Louisa's comment, this is the apartment we are renting: http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_18.htm Is this the same apartment you stayed in?

Monica ((F))

How about those two waitresses at Pizza Tina???????????? They are the Sicilian version of the Gabor Sisters. :)

Thin

Thin..
We love pizza Tina in the 7th!
I guess we missed the Gabor sisters..that would of been a riot.

Great cheese shop in the 7th on avenue bosquet along with a great crepe maker.

Well, you missed it then because those two gals looked like they had about a pound of collagen in their lips. :)

Thin

Monica, I'll be in Paris for some of the time you and your friends are. I hope to do some inexpensive (and more expensive) dining. Thanks for starting this thread!

bookmarking

Another recommendation for Au Piano Muet on Rue Moffetard. Very good and very reasonable. Total with wine 32&euro; for two.

Le Volcan, 10 rue Thouin, 5th
One of our best dinners and very reasonable. Total with wine for two 42&euro;.

City Crepes Cafe, 73, rue de Seine. Delicious crepes.

bookmarking

Leely2, I'm planning a fodorite GTG for the 9th of May if you're interested in joining us. Click on my name to find the posting.

Monica ((F))