Hello,

My wife and I are going to be in Paris for a couple days and I wanted to know what if anyone new any great restaurants for people on budget in the 5th

Hi paul,

I don't think that "great restaurant" and budget go together.

There are dozens of places where you can eat well inexpensively. Try a search for "restaurants AND 5th" (without the quotes) on this forum.

You get a 20% discount at the Balzar if you reserve on line. See http://www.flobrasseries.com/resa/en/

Ira,

After you get the 20% discount at Balzar, then how much is it? For dinner per personm wine not included?
By the way, Ira, last year we followed your advice for places to eat in Florence - boy, you are our hero!!!!

I have these recommendations from various sources, I haven't tried them myself

Le Piano Muet, 48 rue Mouffetard, 5th. Metro Monge.
http://www.paris-lights.com/english/...pianomuet.html

Perraudin 157 rue St-Jacques, 5th closed Sat and Sun. www.restaurantspy.com/perraudin.htm

Creperie de Cluny, 20 rue de la Harpe, 5th. Crepes, onion soup, beer, etc.

For more bargain suggestions:
http://www.top10guides.com/samples/T..._to_Paris.html (their top 10 inexpensive places to eat)

http://www.cnn.com/TRAVEL/PURSUITS/F...09/paris.cheap

Another vote for Perraudin.Cheers!

Another solid endorsement for Perraudin. Two words of caution:
They don't take credit cards and the tables fill up fast.

Hi Sarbear
>After you get the 20% discount at Balzar, then how much is it? For dinner per personm wine not included?<

From my notes: about 20E pp, w/one glass wine

>By the way, Ira, last year we followed your advice for places to eat in Florence - boy, you are our hero!!!!<

My blushes...

I don't think being on a budget means that much, most people are on some kind of budget, it just may be a lot higher or lower than others. Maybe Paul can say what his budget is.

I don't usually dine around the top part of the 5th (near St Michel), but did dine in Balzar last summer for the first time and wasn't that impressed. I wouldn't go back there. I don't remember exactly what I spent, but I really don't think you can have dinner and wine there for 20 euro. As I recall, it was more the typicl price for a mid-level brasserie, and I probably spent around 30-35 euro (and did not have dessert, but did have a glass of wine). The food is decent, but I didn't care for the ambience and like a little more pleasant atmosphere for a nice dinner. It was very crowded, noisy, hot and packed. I felt like I was in a diner or something. One reason I didn't have dessert is because I wanted to get out of there. I didn't think the food was in any way remarkable, although it was good enough.

I much prefer a less crowded space, more attractive, and nicer dinner. For example, I really like Chez Lena et Mimile at 32 rue Tournefort (near place Contrescarpe), and it's about the same price or maybe just a bit higher (I think I spent about 40-45 euro there, but that's because I liked it better and stayed longer).

I can recommend the Pre Verre in the 5th at the corner of rue Thenard and Sommerard. I had dinner there one evening in November and it was 25 euro for entree, plat and dessert. Very reasonable wines by the glass plus a creative menu. Have a great time. Deborah

Just be careful of all those Greek places in the Latin Quarter where the owners stand in the doorway and lure you in - the ones with the plastic plates of sample food in the window. They are pretty much uniformly awful (though cheap), and the last time I had the misfortune to eat in one (many years ago) there was a dead pigeon under the table. It's France - eat French food, not souvlaki.

>.. I really don't think you can have dinner and wine [at Balzar] for 20 euro. <

If you make reservations through the website you can.

3 more places to try, I haven't tried any of them but read a few recommendations here on Fodors and elsewhere:

Chantairelle, 17 rue Laplace
http://www.chantairelle.com/

Trattoria Alfredo, 19 rue Laplace

Les Fetes Galantes, 17 rue Ecole Polytechnique

okay, I guess you can if you don't eat or drink very much (maybe only main dish plus either a side or entree or dessert), or have the cheapest dishes, and get the 20 pct discount. I found a copy of the Balzar menu online with what are probably current prices, as they are in euro. This is what they are:

entrees (main dishes) are mostly 16-20 euro (I had the lamb which they are known for, which is 18 euro--sole meuniere is 29 euro; the house cassoulet on Thursdays is 18 euro)

Side dishes (you have to pay for potatoes or vegetables) are 4-5 euro
Hors d'oeuvres are 4-6 euro each
Desserts are around 6-7 euro each

I don't remember the cost of a glass of wine, but I suppose around 4 euro; I might have gotten a small demi-bouteille.

They do have one prix fixe menu at 23 euro but that's only after 10:30 pm (two dishes, either main and dessert or entree and main, plus a drink)

I too really recommend Chantairelle and Les Fetes Galantes. Les Fetes Galantes is very small and very intimate and just wonderful food. I hesitate to recommend it too highly for fear the next time I'm in Paris, I won't be able to get in for the crowds.

Thanks!

marking

bookmarking

This post is THREE years old!

and just what exactly is a Budget ..your's might be 25 euro a day and mine might be 75..give us a clue!

Regarding Balzar and other Braserries of the Flo group that give the 20% discount for booking on line:
Those discounts do not apply to any formula or fixed price menus. You only get the discount if you order ala carte. Meanwhile ordering ala carte will cost you considerably more than 20% higher than their fixed priced choices.
I can imagine it's just possible to choose from a few of the main courses only plus a glass of wine and still staying under 20 euro. Never mind even thinking about a starter or a dessert.

In fact that is common in many if not most Paris restaurants. You can often get three courses on a "formula" for less than the same main course would be alone ordering ala carte.

I'd like to see this post revived since I will be staying one week in the 5th in the Fall.

Is Perraudin - actually are all of the above recommendations - still good (and still "budget?"

Jody, I reckon my budget for a good dinner would be around 30 Euro - but I haven't been to Paris since 1999 so maybe I am way off base!