we have been looking forward to a long multi course meal at a well thought of restaurant in paris - we are vegetarians, eat dairy and fish, but no red meat. very occasionally chicken. will such a meal be a waste of time and money for us. we also want to feel comfortable and not considered "strange americans". anyone have any input? am i worrying too much? any suggestions for specific restaurants that might fit our needs? thanks.

As long as you go to a restaurant that has dishes you want to eat and they are on the menu, they are not going to think you strange for ordering them.

You aren't a vegetarian.

You'll be fine with most Parisian restaurants, as it's common practice for them to have at least one type of fish on the menu, and starters are often vegetarian or seafood based.
I don't eat red meat either, just fish and occasionally chicken, like you, and I've never had a problem in Paris.

I thought there was a very good vegetarian restaurant someone mentioned recently. Not a hippy veggie place but upmarket. I am a steak eating vegetarian (A few times a year I have a steak). I don't eat pork, chicken or fish purely because I don't like them (I have been like this since I was a kid) . I find it much easier to eat vegetarian in Europe than in the States. You will have no problem in Paris especially if you eat fish. My partner eats anything we we find places we both like. Don't be afraid to ask either. I had fondue and a plate of meats along with bread was given to me . I told them I don't eat meat and the bread was fine. They came out with a beautiful fresh salad in its place.

Hi cindyjo,

>..am i worrying too much?<

Yes.

>we have been looking forward to a long multi course meal at a well thought of restaurant in paris ...<

See the menu at Taillevent, you can have a 3 course dinner for about 100E pp plus wine, and eat only vegetables and fish.

http://www.taillevent.com/english/restaurant/carte.html

I have this information, I haven't tried these places

For vegetarians: http://www.vegetarianguides.co.uk/paris

http://www.nwfolk.com/vegparis.html

http://www.ivu.org/avf/VisitFrance/visitfranceMAIN.html

http://www.vegetarianguides.co.uk/sa...einparis.shtml

also, timeout.com has a listing of vegetarian restaurants in its Paris section

just a thanks to the helpful folks who posted answers to my vegetarian dilemma. definitely feel more confident about reserving for a good restaurant.

You can rest assured that you do not have a concern. Because you are not actually a vegetarian, but someone who does not eat red meat, there will be much to choose from. I ate fish or seafood the whole week we were in Paris last year and had delicious fish at L'Epi Dupin, Bastide d'Odeon and Les Bouquinistes in the 6th and Fontaine de Mars in the 7th. Try also Fish - La Boissonerie in the 6th.

I don't think you'll have any problem at all... just don't order steak & frites or pate. There are guidebook listings for vegetarian eating in Paris (although since you have an extremely loose definition of "vegetarian" I don't think it's probably necessary).

Why would anyone think you are a "strange american" because you order fish for dinner?