We will be staying in the Opera area of Paris in November and would like any recommendations for inexpensive, good restaurants and cafes in the 8e or 9e areas.

I don't know exactly what price range you mean by "inexpensive", but one of my favorites near the Opera house is Le Grand Cafe at 4 boulevard des Capucines. The food is excellent and the place is beautiful--all stained glass--and they prepare the food by your table. I believe an entire meal with wine for two was around $50. Highly recommend it.

And then there's Chartier - Rue du Faubourg. Come hungry and ready to mingle with people at your table. Tourists and locals alike, not to be missed at least once. Online daily menu at www.chartier-restaurant.com

Oops that's www.restaurant-chartier.com

Artlover mentioned Le Grand Cafe. I'm going to try it this December. It's had good comments on this board. As I recall not only is that the building where the first ever motion picture was screened, it was also immortalized in a painting by Monet.

I must say I was disappointed in Chartier this spring. Banished to the stuffy balcony with the other non-French speakers and the worst service I've ever had in France. I wouldn't waste a dinner on it, but maybe a late, late lunch might not be bad. I doubt if I ever bother to eat their again. The ambiance is killer "belle epoque." But the food was only so-so and combined with the lousy service, now I'd just walk in the door, look and leave.

I also finally went to Chartier this summer. It was one of the cheapest meals I've ever had in Paris. It was worth what I paid for it. We'll let it go at that. But at least the experience was sort of "fun".

THANKS FOR THE HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS. WE WILL USE THEM.

I tried to add one the other day but the system wouldn't take it.

I'd suggest Bistro des Deux Theatres at 18, rue Blanche just a little north of the Trinite church, in the 9th. It's open every day, and is a nice moderate bistro with pleasant atmosphere, decor, and good food, moderate prices (maybe 30 euro per person total).

I'm another one who wasn't crazy about Chartier. Well, I wouldn't go out of my way to go there, but it's okay for a quick lunch on the run. I would not go there for dinner myself because I don't find the atmosphere very nice (too noisy and crowded). Food was okay for very cheap, but I thought the service was bad, also (although I wasn't banished and was seated with French people, maybe because I did speak french, although I have an accent). Not what I'd want for dinner.

This is from a restaurant list I've compiled for an upcoming trip to Paris with my kids (where obviously we need to find inexpensive places to eat in order to stretch our travel budget):


8th ARRONDISSEMENT:
LES GOURMETS DES TERNES
87 bd. De Courcelles
24 euro a la carte

L'APPART'
9 r. du Colisée (www.leschampselysees.com)
17 euro lunch, 25 euro lunch incl. wine menus

The following are inexpensive bakeries where you can get croissant & café for breakfast or pre-made sandwiches for lunch:
BOULANGERIES PAUL
49 bis av. Franklin D. Roosevelt

BRIOCHE DORÉE
78 av. Champs-Elysées

BOULANGERIES PAUL
84 av. des Champs-Elysées

BOULANGERIES PAUL
37 r. Tronchet


9TH ARRONDISSEMENT:
CHARTIER
7 r. du Faubourg-Montmartre

L'ALSACO
10 r. Condorcet



Hope that helps you out a bit & hope you have a fabulous time in Paris!!

Ciao,
Mary : )

I am bumping this, as my husband and I will be in Paris for the first time in early June 2005. We are staying at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe, which is a couple of blocks from the Arc de Triomphe itself. I expect that we will be spending most of our time around there and the Champs-Elysees, as well as the area of Tuileries Garden, Notre Dame and the Left Bank. Does anyone have updates on the above restaurants -- or other restaurants, bistros or cafes that you would recommend for inexpensive dining? Thanks!