Stalking the elusive 20 euro Paris dinner
 

We have had some enjoyable experiences in those non-touristy, out-of-the-way places where locals may go for an inexpensive evening meal. And the food should be French! (Why go to Paris for Thai or Italian?) I would welcome additions to our list.

We like:
La Chaumine Normande, rue du Moulin-des-Pres
Polidor, rue Monsieur le Prince
Le Petit Keller, rue Keller
La Table d’Aligre, place d’Aligre
Resaturant de Bourgogne, rue de Vinaigriers

We are planning to try:
Le Colvert, Rue du Chateau
Restaurant L'Insulaire, rue Gregoire de Tours
Bistro du Peintre, Ave Ledru Rollin
Chez Germaine, rue Pierre Leroux
Bistro Melac, rue Leon Frot
Le Baribal, rue de Vaugirard
Le Petit Saint Benoit, rue Saint Benoit

And please, no suggestions for Chartier (in spite of the interesting ambience), unless you know some particular menu items which rise above the general level of the rest.

Hi S,

There are a number of restaurants along rue Guisarde (off Pl St. Sulpice) and surrounding streets.

Also Vesuvio on rue Gozlin (opposite the Eglise St Germain des Pres) is very good French/Italian.

Also any of the Leon de Bruxelles for moules and frites.

((I))

Good luck with Le Colvert, it closed three years ago.

We enjoyed this restaurant last spring. You could do it for about 20 euros (with the prix fixe or 2 courses instead of 3) or spend a bit more for the whole shebang:


Gallopin - 2nd arr.

Lovely. Excellent food. Super friendly people, although very little English was spoken, the maitre'd and waiter were extremely welcoming and helpful. We had lots of laughs over the pouring rain. English menu was available. Such a French place. A brassiere - very nice atmosphere. Slightly casual, but not like a bistro. Lots of smoking (oh well). And a dog too.

I had escargot, duck l'orange (really good) and chocolate souffle cake - 35 euros. DH had shrimp and vegetable salad, chateaubriant and chocolate souffle cake - 44 euros. Would not order chateaubriant again, just a steak, although very tender, not anything exotic.

They had several prix fixe menus with varying prices. Such as 19.5 euros, 21 euros, 23 euros, 28 euros. And a 33.5 prix fixe with a small choice of appetizers, dinners, desserts (10 choices) and a glass of wine.

Heres another one for you.
Do a web search on Le Vin Sobre.
What a little beauty! Lovely photos of the food etc.
Up Val-de-Grace way at 25 Rue Feuillantines, 75005.
Only stumbled upon it while web-surfing so can't say good or bad but to me looks worth a try.

One I did enjoy was:
L'Insulaire (So tiny!)
Bistro du Peintre ( just the best)
L'Oree Du Marais, 29 Rue Francs Bourgeois,75004. Tel; 01.48.87.81.70
(lovely)
Le Chaland, 163 Quai de Valmy, 75010. Tel;01.40.05.18.68 (only had lunch there a few times-home cooked food).
And in 2000:
Bistrot Des Vignes, 1 Rue Jean Bologne,75016. Tel: 01.45.27.76.64
(Remember it being really nice- 48ero for 2 dinners with wine & coffee).

If you can sneak it up to 26 euro (and I think many of your list already are there) for a really great three course with lots of options, check out Louis Vins on the rue de la Montagne Ste-Geneviève in the Fifth. It's really excellent and great value. Also it has great wines by the glass (or bottle) at really reasonable prices.

Did a little walk-about on PagesJaunes.photosdevilles and found Bistrot De Vignes on the corner. Brought back more memories of our dinner there. It was more than just alright! We had starters, mains, desert etc. for that price! The food was beautifully presented.
My mum and I were staying at the Hotel Gavarni - the owner suggested it and made the booking.
We weren't disappointed!

bkm

There's always one of several Chez Papa locations....

And as to "why go to Paris for Thai or Italian?" -- you should know that ethnic food is different in every country, so it will never be as you expect. Not to mention the French national dish, couscous.

SemiMike - If you go to the website of 'Paris Eiffel Tower News' there is an article written by one of the editors, Phil Chavanne.

He reviews three or so cheap eateries that have excellent food.
The one that stands out for me is Le Gourmet, 19 Rue de Bruxelles, 75009.
For the lowly sum of 13euros you can have quite an adequate meal.

Besides his article there is a miriad of links that are equally as interesting for people travelling to Paris.

Great info! Thanks!

Thanks from me, too!

I remember a few years back, a lovely, reasonably priced place called Le Bistro 17, (in the 17th arrondisement of course). We enjoyed many good meals there. I agree about the Leon de Bruxelles places, delicious Moules! There are a few places called L'entrecote, which are so-so, unless you go to the original one, which for some reason is much better. Also, Patricia Wells does wonderful restaurant recommendations. Bon appetit!

I had a 20.00 e dinner at a small tapas bar called Cervantes on a side-street in Montparnasse. Three tapas dishes - patatas bravas, a mushroom dish and a sliced ham dish with bread -and a pitcher of Sangria. 20.00e inc a small tip as it was the waitresses first night.

Pjk

I highly recommend Chez Imogene, a creperie in the Oberkampf neigborhood. You can get a three course meal for 15 euros (not including cider). My boyfriend and I used to frequent this creperie when we were students studying in Paris, because, let's be honest, where else can you get a three course meal in Paris for 15 euros? Michel, the owner, is a delightful man and makes delicious crepes. It is a very small restaurant, however, so reservations (don't need to be made more than a day in advance) are a must. All staff speaks English, and I believe there is also an English menu.

Address: 25, rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud
Telephone: 01 48 07 14 59

bm

Le Bistro 17, in the 17th arrondisement ....Cervantes on a side-street in Montparnasse....creperie in the Oberkampf neigborhood....
hmmm... sounds like folks should 'branch out' to find good meals for less € €....

<We have had some enjoyable experiences in those non-touristy, out-of-the-way places where locals may go for an inexpensive evening meal. And the food should be French! (Why go to Paris for Thai or Italian?) I would welcome additions to our list>

FLUNCH (Heaven forbid) meets this criteria perfectly and at about half the price. Sure not type of place you're looking for but for me is the ultimate such place as per your criteria - you didn't specify restaurants with wait people. All over Paris and France.

bookmarking

Any recommendations for a bistro in the 3rd district? Looking for something simple and we have no problem with ethnic. Family of four on a budget.