Problems finding food in Paris!
 

We just returned from a wonderful 10 day trip to Paris. I spent 6 months reading and researching, including perusing this message board. One thing we found, however, was that we sometimes had problems finding something to eat! Either the establishment was closed or they had stopped serving food. Is there some pattern to this that we missed? (p.s. - we did find several excellent places to eat near our wonderful hotel in the 7th, so we certainly didn't starve).

Well, I'm speechless....

Me, too!!!

What time of day were you trying to eat? That's the only thing I can think of. You DID remember to switch your watches to Paris time, right?

Do you tend to want to eat after midnight or something? More restaurants are closed on Sunday-Monday, also, but not on other days especially. Also, in full-fledge restaurants, you aren't going to be able to order meals in the middle of the day or the middle of the morning or anything, of course, as they serve at lunch and dinner. All you have to do is go to a cafe or someplace that does serve at all hours, though, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding something to eat.

you need to describe what you did a little better for anyone to comment -- what kind of places you were going to, and when.

Europe isn't quite on the same 24/7 schedule as North America. Smaller or family run place sometimes close on the weekends, or evenings. Even proper restuarants in North America only serve lunch during a specific time, then no full menu, then dinner until a specific time.

I'm sorry your were surprised and had some trouble with this- though I'm puzzled how someone could spend 6 months researching for a trip and never stumble across this sort of information.

Or maybe you were trying to eat lunch after the lunch period and before they they had started serving the evening meal.

But having a hard time finding a place to eat?!? Maybe a particular restaurant was closed - but w/ 6 or 8 others in the same block one wouldn't starve

Now this is a problem I've never encountered in Paris. Oui, speechless is the word. EJ

Excuse me but how can you not find food in France, I am dumbfounded!
Okay, the French have a tendancy to eat at certain times, mostly at lunch during the week, and while some restuarants may seem vacant they will serve early before and somewhat after. The trick is to arrive somewhat early (perferred) or near the end of the meal hour.
Its roughly the same with dinner but that is more a hometime meal.
Ask your hotel the next time what the city/area meal times are.
One of our best experiences was in a off boulevard cafe, between meals, the chef was in the back and came out to greet us, we were hungry and it was my wife's decision, the chef advised us what to have (my wife was so happy it was funny), the food though simple was excellent.
Enjoy!

I too am totally confused by this post. You were in the Paris in France -- right?? I mean, not Paris, Texas or Paris, Kentucky or somewhere?

I suppose it might be hard to get dinner at 4:30 or 5 PM except in brasseries, but other than that I simply can't imagine what you're talking about.

Gosh, it seemed like asking if there are any Catholics in the Vatican.
Travelprincess when you return, remember that the brasseries, some that are so beautiful will be open.

...and the establishments were closed?? As in shuttered permanently?? Where did you stay and where did you end up eating?

And where did you "try" to eat?

LOL cigale

...could the moveable feast have moved?

WOW

princess - we need some more information so we can really attack you!

I think she's got to be pulling our collective leg. I'm guessing the second leg of the trip involved a visit to Newcastle where she couldn't find coals.

I always bring my own food when I visit Paris, so I'll be sure and have enough. In a fanny pack.

LOL :)

Great spoof travelprincessmn. You would probably have trouble finding snow at the North Pole also.

When I was in Paris, I had the opposite problem- trying to find way to *stop* myself from eating- continually, all the time :)

I could survive(happily) by just eating the crepes in Paris.

I will say, that my friend and I had a bit of a problem finding a cafe, restaurant, what ever, open on Sunday night in Montparnasse. However, having said that, we were kind of late, and we went back to "our" neighborhood, hoping to find a quick bite close to the hotel. It took a bit of walking, but eventually we did find a couple of places open. Other than that, there were places every where, always.

Also, I guess it would depend on the type of place your were looking for. We always just ate in cafes or brasseries, never a "real" restaurant, so we never had any problem no matter what time it was that we wanted to eat.

Wow, I'm just really surprised.

brasseries are real restaurants usually owned by breweries and heavy on seafood.

fnarf...when I come home from Paris my "fanny pack" is always bigger than when I left!

In europe restaurants are not open at all hours. they typically open for a few hours (12 to 3) for lunch - and a little longer for dinner (6 to 10 or 11 - or later in Italy, Spainand Portugla).

But - there are always tons of brasseries or cafes (or equivalents) open all day where you can certainly get a decent meal.

If you couldn;t find ANY food in Paris - you must have had your eyes cosed.

Gee, we didn't have any trouble at all!

We just returned as well and I must say we did have problems finding a place to eat. But mainly it was because there were 4 adults with 4 different opinions as to where to go! Breakfast was easy, since we stayed in an apartment and had purchased some groceries. We also bought croissants and baguettes to make sandwiches for lunch. Or we went to a boulangerie and bought ready made sandwiches for lunch and ate at a park or by the Seine. Dinner was a little more difficult due to the fact that we were on a budget. But there was a great Chinese take away place around the corner where we ate twice and we made dinner at the apartment one evening and we ate at a great Tibetan restaurant another night and a couple of middle eastern fallafel restaurants in the Marais another couple of nights. There was plenty to choose from it just depended on what you wanted to spend and what you were in the mood for. Unfortunately we never once ate at a typically French restaurant. Maybe next time!

Gosh normal, too bad you were on such a strict budget
It sound to me like going to a bordello and only getting a kiss

I think what we are saying is that the food of Paris and Provence are part of the whole cultural and sensual experience.

Robjame...with 4 adults in the group you have to make sacrifices. I was just very thankful to have been in Paris at all! I am not a foodie so as long as I had something in my belly while I looked at the Eiffel Tower I was a happy camper. Hopefully if I am able to go again I will budget a bit more for the food. But the budget didn't detract from the joy of being in France!

I should have been more clear. We stayed at a wonderful hotel near the Rodin Museum. In that general area, there were a numer of establishments which were either closed or, when we entered (say at 6pm) had stopped serving food. The Cafe de Musee across from the Rodin was one such place. We did find that when we left the more residential part of our neighborhood, there were many more options. Another issue was that we tried to stay away from the tourist areas to eat.

I am not complaining. We had wonderful meals at a few brasseries or restaurants to which we happily returned. Breakfast and lunch were not at issue. The boulangerie next door to our hotel had amazing stuff (although they too were closed on Saturday, Sunday, and the May 8 holiday!).

We also learend through experience that sometime we could eat at the outside area of the cafe but the inside was closed or booked for later diners. Our weather was cooperative enough that this usually worked out fine.

I am glad you found at least something to eat! There are so many wonderful restaurants in the 7th! It sounds like you were trying to eat too early, not that the place had stopped serving food, unless you are not speaking about actual restaurants (??) So where did you end up having great meals near your hotel? Were you on a very strict budget?

It is often said that first timers are surprised at how large the Eiffel Tower is and how small the Mona Lisa is.
We were also surprised at how reasonable restaurant meals could be and how expensive we made some pique-niques.
Forgetting wine, we could get a 3 course dinner for €15 - 20. The Keg at home is about the same. The quality - no comparison.
Now for picnics, when we picked up foie gras, pate and some smelly cheeses, we were surprised at the bill.

What are these "budgets" of which people write? Surely you do not come all the way from the wealthiest and greatest country in the known universe and then hold back from eating at ordinary restaurants in France?

Many people seem to think that because a small fortune is not spent on food then the country cannot be enjoyed. We truly enjoyed France and we did get to eat typical breakfasts and lunches. As for French dinners...next time when there is only 2 of us to feed. We do not typically spend more than $12-$15 per person for a meal here in the States when we do eat out. So why would I spend at least twice that in France? Please do not berate others for prioriting differently than you do.

prioritizing

Ain't it the truth! LOL

Recently in Paris, we ate in a lot of small cafes and bistros. Nothing at all remotely fancy, but we were with a 5 and 7 yo. This trip wasn't all about us.

My favorite part of the trip: the yummy Dijon mustard served with fries. Why can't it taste as good as home ? Why does it have to be diluted in the US ? I brought 3 or 4 jars of the 'good stuff' (inexpensive kind bought at Monoprix) and boy does it make me happy!

And this does not require fancy schmancy restaurants. Just a small mom and pop place. yum

Amen to the mustard! We bought some dijon mustard at a small grocery store and it was amazing! Powerful stuff! Made our sandwiches pop with flavor. I'm going to start looking around here for something like it. Eating our homemade sandwiches by the Seine was one of the highlights of our trip. Couldn't have asked for better atmosphere. Four adults ate for under 25 euros, sandwiches, dessert and drinks! Couldn't have asked for better!

It doesn't seem unusual to me in any city that there would be less restaurants available in a residential area, since people likely most often eat in their own homes.

Well, she's right about the area near the Rodin Museum not being a part of the 7ème that has a lot of restaurant options right there. You would have to walk a few blocks, unlike, say, the part of the 7ème near rue Cler, where you're tripping over restaurants and takeout places.

My neighborhood is not completely devoid of American tourists, but in most cases only the ultra low budget ones are here (I'm talking about 25€ hotels and 7€ restaurants). There are certainly a few others in vacation rentals. What makes me laugh is the impression of Paris they could bring home if they never left the area.

"The cashiers in Monoprix and Franprix speak better English than French!" "The small grocery stores are all open until 2 a.m." "The #1 food eaten in Paris is the doner kebab and they sell them until 6 a.m." "Every butcher shop is islamic, except for the Chinese ones that sell mostly pigs' feet and ears."

[It is true that most of the cashiers in my part of the 18th arrondissement are freshly arrived either from India/Sri Lanka or from the UK -- with an EU passport. They are just starting to learn French and are much more comfortable in English.]