Paris, the City of Lights never disappoints. Whether it is your first visit or you have been there several times before, there is always something new to discover.
In a city with thousands of restaurants, it can be intimidating to find affordable restaurants in Paris that serve authentic French food.
Given that you have made it all the way to Paris, why not try local French cuisine that you may not have at home. To get you started, we’ve put together a list of 5 affordable restaurants that serve delicious authentic food in Paris.
Be sure to check out these restaurants the next time you are in Paris.
Table of contents
- 1 – Near the Eiffel Tower – Go to Le P’tit Troquet
- Le P’tit Troquet Restaurant
- 2 – In The Latin Quarter – Check out La Bastide d’Opio
- La Bastide d’Opio Restaurant
- 3 – Explore Foodie Haven on Rue Mouffetard, and Le Vin Qui Danse
- Le Vin Qui Danse Restaurant: one of the most authentic affordable restaurants in Paris
- 4 – Not far from Parc Monceau? Walk a little further to Le Bistro du Passage
- Le Bistro du Passage Restaurant
- 5 – For Entertainment and Vegetarian Cuisine, Visit Le Cinq Lorette in the 9th
- Le Cinq Lorette Restaurant
- In Summary
- Map of the authentic and affordable restaurants in Paris
- Book a Tour
- Love it? Pin it!
1 – Near the Eiffel Tower – Go to Le P’tit Troquet
If you are going to see the Eiffel Tower, you are in the 7th arrondissement (or neighborhood). After walking around and admiring the elegant monument built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 for the World’s Fair, food will probably be on your mind.
Eiffel Tower by nightLe P’tit Troquet Restaurant
Head over to Le P’tit Troquet for delicious traditional French food. Tucked away on a little shopping street, this charming, bistro awaits.
Recommended by a local Parisian friend for offering delicious traditional food, we made our way over to the restaurant. We walked in without a reservation and were greeted with a smile, and surprisingly, seated right away.
We opted for one “menu” consisting of entrée + plat + dessert. We supplemented that with one more appetizer (entrée) and one main dish (plat).
We began our meal with foie-gras, one of the most popular French delicacies.
Delectable Foie Gras.Yum!!This was followed by Boeuf Bourguignon, another French specialty from the Bourgogne or Burgundy Region. This savory beef stew is a classic and a popular French traditional dish.
This stew is prepared with beef braised in red wine, traditionally red Burgundy, and beef broth. It is typically flavored with garlic, onions and a variety of spices. Pearl onions and mushrooms are generally added towards the end of cooking. Hearty and filling. Perfect for a cool day or evening.
Delicious and Hearty Boeuf Bourguignon The dessert special that evening was apricot soup and almond milk ice-cream. Already stuffed from the appetizers and main dishes, we split this scrumptious treat.
The food is delicious, the service is attentive and the prices reasonable. The perfect combination for authentic and affordable restaurants in Paris.
Apricot soup and almond milk ice-creamWhere
28 rue de l’Exposition
75007 Paris
Price of Menus
Lunch menu (Entrée + Plat + Dessert) 25€
Dinner (Entrée + Plat + Dessert) 35 €
Pro Tips
This restaurant attracts local and tourist alike. It can get busy early on and items from the menu of the day can quickly disappear. Plan to go early if you want to eat the specials of the day.
2 – In The Latin Quarter – Check out La Bastide d’Opio
The Latin Quarter or Left Bank has been traditionally known as the artistic and cultural part of Paris. Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots and the cafes and bars of Saint-Germain-des-Prés are some of the main reasons visitors flock to this area.
Café de Flore, ParisGiven the popularity of the area, finding a good traditional Parisian restaurant can be tricky. The way we found this gem was through researching Google reviews of the restaurants in French.
One tip to keep in mind when looking for authentic restaurants on your travels is to research the reviews in the local language. Even if you may not speak French, use the Google Translate functionality for translation help.
La Bastide d’Opio Restaurant
Walk down the narrow, cobblestone streets and make your way over to a small side street close to Saint-Sulpice. La Bastide d’Opio offers a taste of “Provence” or cuisine from the South made with seasonal products.
This small and charming restaurant has only about 10 tables. When presented with the menu, choose the “menu of the day” or “menu du jour.”
You will immediately be seduced by typical dishes from the South like “crumble d’agneau au citron vert et tomates confites, poêlée de courgettes” and “marmite de poissons à la coriandre et au citron confit.”
The “crumble d’agneau au citron vert et tomates confites, poêlée de courgettes” is delicious and surprisingly not too heavy. Layers of fresh zucchini, with tomatoes and spices, topped with fresh cuts of lamb and served in a cast iron pot. A delightful taste of “Provence”.
Crumble d'agneauIf you are looking at something from the sea, get the “special of the day”. You will be rewarded with the “Marmite de poissons à la coriandre et au citron confit.” This delicate seafood soup is filled with slices of fish and fresh seafood in a broth with lemon, coriander and spices from the South of France. Truly exceptional!
Marmite de poissonsWhere
9 rue Guisarde
75006 Paris
Price of Menus
Lunch menu (Entrée + Plat + Dessert) 24.20 €
Dinner (Entrée + Plat + Dessert) 28.50 €
Pro Tips
Go for lunch and enjoy a fantastic meal while shopping and walking around the area. Make a reservation ahead of time!
3 – Explore Foodie Haven on Rue Mouffetard, and Le Vin Qui Danse
A visit to the Latin Quarter would not be complete without strolling through rue Mouffetard a foodie haven. The market takes place every day on rue Mouffetard, though keep in mind that it is most lively on the weekends. For the best experience, go in the mornings when all the vendors and shops are opened. Take a quick tour in 360 of rue Mouffetard on a typical Thursday afternoon.
On rue Mouffetard, you will find any fresh products and fine food to be expected in Paris. Cheeses from Fromagerie Androuet, one the oldest cheese maker in Paris, chocolate from Mococha a chocolate collector, wines from La Fontaine aux vins a unique local shop and much more!
Prepare for a tempting experience!.
Le Vin Qui Danse Restaurant: one of the most authentic affordable restaurants in Paris
While rue Mouffetard is a must-visit in Paris for food lovers, it can be difficult finding an affordable restaurant away from the crowds and the touristy areas.
If you are up for walking, after looking around rue Mouffetard, head over for lunch to Le Vin Qui Danse. This restaurant located on rue Brocca, proposes fresh and seasonal products on the menu. As their name suggest, they also offer a large selection of wine by the glass from unique and small wineries alike.
Wines by the glassOn top of that, their menu is very affordable and the cuisine is delicious. We indulged in the short menu of the day, a sign of homemade cuisine that we talk about in our free ebook The 5 Best Ways to Find Authentic Food While Traveling.
Short Menu We took the option “entrée + plat “ for 15 Euros per person. We had a delicious “onglet légumes et soja” which was a finely cut steak slices, cooked rare at their core and served with vegetables. This is a version of the french steak bavette revisited with a Japanese flair. Scrumptious!
Sliced steak bavette with seasonal vegetablesThe staff is very friendly and the environment very convivial for a leisurely lunch sipping a couple of glasses of wine. A great place to slow down and indulge in local food pleasures.
Where
69 rue Broca
75013 Paris
Price of Menus
Lunch menu (Entrée + Plat + Dessert) 18 €
Dinner menu (Entrée + Plat + Dessert) 25 €
Pro Tips
Ask for recommendations when it comes to wine and do order it by the glass so you can try different wines to pair with your dishes.
4 – Not far from Parc Monceau? Walk a little further to Le Bistro du Passage
Known as one of the most attractive parks in Paris, Parc Monceau is a hidden enclave for those seeking peace and quiet from the hectic pace.
Across the park is the 17th arrondissement, a non-touristy neighborhoods made up of office buildings and residential apartments. For a taste of traditional French food in a “real” Parisian neighborhood, make your way over to Le Bistro du Passage.
Street scene near Parc Monceau in the 17th arrondissementLe Bistro du Passage Restaurant
Tucked away on a pedestrian-only side road (passage), the colorful bistro will welcome you. We discovered this little restaurant from some stealth online research as well as Claire’s familiarity with the neighborhood.
The restaurant is filled with locals and the atmosphere is friendly. The best part is the traditional French dishes at reasonable prices.
For the main meal, we went with the beloved French classic – Steak Tartare. This dish doesn’t require cooking, just a a lot of fine chopping. Made with raw steak, finely chopped shallots, cornichons, capers and a little Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, and seasoned with salt and black pepper. This dish is typically served with a side of french fries and a green salad.
Steak TartareYour meal will not be complete without dessert. Le Bistro du Passage makes a delicious ‘brioche perdue’, a twist on the classic French pain perdu (french toast) dessert.
This delightful “brioche perdue” was accompanied with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. Sublime!
Brioche perdueWhere
14 Passage Geffroy-Didelot
75017 Paris
Price of Meals
A la carte menu prices: ~21 € (Entrée + Plat) to ~38 € (Entrée + Plat + Dessert)
Pro Tips
Great place to plan for a party or eat with a group. The restaurant has a private room to accommodate large groups.
5 – For Entertainment and Vegetarian Cuisine, Visit Le Cinq Lorette in the 9th
While the 9th is famous for Opéra Garnier and shopping at the iconic department stores of Galeries Lafayate and Printemps, it is also popular for theater.
Moulin Rouge and the well-known music halls of Folies Bergère and Casino de Paris are some of the reasons why the 9th is a popular entertainment destination.
If you find yourself in the area looking for tasty vegetarian, vegan and organic delights, head over to Le Cinq Lorette. This restaurant opened in January 2016 and is very popular amongst the locals.
When we made a brief stop in Paris, en route to Southeast Asia, we were surprised when our non-vegetarian family members suggested having lunch there.
Opéra GarnierLe Cinq Lorette Restaurant
The restaurant is beautiful, not just in decor, but also the presentation of the food. The choices are not overwhelming and go way beyond salads and crudités.
Two of our favorites were the “ La Céréale” for the main meal and fruit salad for dessert.
The “La Céréale” is an interesting galette made of quinoa and mixed vegetables. The galette is drizzled with a delicious sauce made of dill. Roasted vegetables, a green salad and a hummus – like sauce. Totally fresh and seasonal, the ample serving size will delight any appetite.
La CéréaleIn keeping with the healthy theme, the mix of seasonal fruits stood out on the menu. Tempted by the fresh figs, pomegranate, strawberries, melon and more, you enjoy the natural goodness of this dessert.
Fruit saladWhere
5 rue Notre Dame de Lorette
75009 Paris
Price of Menu
Lunch Menu only (Entrée + Plat or Plat + Dessert) 21€
Pro Tips
Your best bet would be to go at lunch time. Arrive early as it can get busy. If you choose to order to go, you get a 10% discount for take-away orders.
In Summary
Enjoying good food on one’s travels is one of the simple joys of the travel experience. In major cities like Paris with thousands of options, it is possible to find authentic and affordable restaurants. Take the time to do some research and don’t forget to look at the local reviews.
With new restaurants opening up all the time, asking “locals” for recommendations will help you narrow down your choices. For more tips on how to find authentic and affordable restaurants, see our previous article How to avoid tourist trap food when traveling in a tourist town.
The next time your travels take you to France, enjoy the sites without skipping on affordable restaurants in Paris.
Map of the authentic and affordable restaurants in Paris
View 5 Stunning Examples Of Affordable Authentic Restau in a full screen map
Which authentic and affordable restaurants in Paris would you recommend? Please let us know in the comments below.
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Rosemary is a writer and culinary explorer. Together with her partner, Claire, they created Authentic Food Quest to inspire people to travel deeper through authentic food. Through food, they believe, people can have more meaningful connections on their travels. Prior to creating Authentic Food Quest, Rosemary worked as a director of strategy in advertising for over 15 years. Take the quiz and find out your Food Traveler Profile.
Hi! Welcome to Authentic Food Quest. We are Claire and Rosemary. Our goal is to invite you to explore the local flavors on your travels. Follow our quest for authentic foods from around the world.
Some delicious recommendations for eating affordably in Paris here – I love Boeuf Bourguignon so would definitely try that. Handy to have them all mapped out too!
You are most welcome Michele. Boeuf Bourguignon is one of our favorites as well 🙂 Do keep this list close for your next trip. Thanks for stopping by.
I love eating my way around the Latin Quarter especially and I think I ate at La Bastide d’Opio. I remember the last visit with my mom. When I told her thats where we were going for lunch she thought it was the Spanish area in Paris… too funny. Looking forward to going back and trying some of the other places on your list.
Awesome Stacy. So glad you tried La Bastide d’Opio. Do you remember what you had? Quite a delicious find in the area. Do let us know if you hit any of the other restaurants on your next trip to Paris. Cheers!
Oh wow, I’ve actually been to Le P’Tit Troquet! And I remember it being the PERFECT French Bistro. Rustic yet elegant food… quaint atmosphere… and a lovely hostess. It was truly memorable. Great suggestions!
That’s so wonderful to hear that you’ve been to Le P’Tit Troquet. Truly a gem! Happy eating on your next Paris trip!
It’s cold and wet where I am right now and that Boeuf Bourguignon looks like exactly what I want.. comforting and hot! Good to know there are vegetarian options in Paris as well.
Yes, Annie, there are vegetarian restaurants, just few and far between. The Boeuf Bourguignon is perfect for a cool or cold day. Thanks for your comments.
These restaurants look amazing. I have to admit that I didn’t go to any of them when I was in Paris 2 years ago, but I must include them on my list for my next visit there! I don’t know which restaurant I like best (as I’m eating meat and don’t have food allergies 🙂 ).
Great! Keep this list for your next trip to Paris. All are wonderful and you will enjoy traditional French cuisine. Happy travels on your next trip to Paris.
I’ve had Boeuf Bourguignon before and love the flavor, but never had authentic from Paris, this would have to be on the top of my list to try! I really like how you added the map to help find the locations of these fabulous restaurants! Will book mark for my next trip
So glad you enjoyed the post and found the map useful. Indeed, do keep this handy for your next trip to the City of Lights. Cheers.
Wow, it’s been 5 years since I was in Paris and I can definitely see that the food options are continually evolving! This is one of my favourite food capital and I really really want to go back soon!
We love Paris as well, especially for the food. Much has changed in 5 years in the restaurant scene and we hope this list will give you a good starting place for your next trip. Hope you get to Paris soon 🙂
This is perfect timing for a post. My sister is headed to London and Paris on an excessively quick trip in about two weeks- she may benefit from this info! Thanks for sharing!
You are most welcome Meg. Please feel free to share with your sister and let us know where she ended up going 🙂 Cheers!
Paris is one of those great places I would love to visit at least once in my lifetime and these are some great suggestions for some affordable restaurants all around. I love how you have shared some delicious foods which are special in each restaurant to make it easy for any one!
Thank you Lisa for your comments. I hope you get to go to Paris soon and enjoy the delicious traditional French food from any of the suggested restaurants. You will have a great experience. Thanks for stopping by!
Such wonderful dining options! I love how you’ve laid this out with descriptions and locations altogether. Thanks for all the scrumptious ‘research.’
Thanks Elaine for your wonderful feedback. The key to finding great restaurants in Paris, is knowing where to look for them! It is our pleasure and delight to “do the research” 🙂 Cheers!
Paris is certainly a city that is chockfull of touristy, subpar bistros and cafes. Luckily, if you are willing to head down some side streets, and get a little lost, you will almost always stumble upon a good meal. I’ve haven’t been to any of your recs, so I will keep them in mind for the next time I’m in Paris. Definitely such an amazing city, and when I visit now, after having been there a few times, I just go for the food and wine!
You are right Drew. There are so many “tourist traps” in Paris. The key is knowing where to go for good food. Check out these restaurants on your next trip and let us know what you think 🙂 Cheers!
This is a great list! You’ve already done the research for me. I love french food, and now I can skip the research and just head to these places when I visit France next year! It all looks so delicious!!
Thanks so much Stephanie. It is our pleasure to help with the research. Do let us know where you end up eating on your next Parisian trip. Cheers!
Hi Rosemary,
All looks yummy! The apricot soup looks delicious, with the almond milk ice cream. Interesting combo too. I love apricots and dig almond milk too. The soupy consistency made me do a double take but of course I’d down it. Who the hell am I kidding LOL. Down the hatch. Thanks for sharing guys 🙂
Ryan
Hi Ryan, so glad you enjoyed the post and recommendations. The apricot soup and almond ice cream was indeed a delightful treat. You can’t go wrong with the food or desserts at any of these 5 restaurants. Please let us know if you get a chance to check them out on your next trip to Paris. Cheers!
I’ve not been to Paris. Thanks for these suggestions. I find it overwhelming picking French food.
You are most welcome Laura. Our goal with these suggestions is to make “life easier” for travelers especially in intimidating cities like Paris. Glad you found the article helpful 🙂
I loved French food! That beef stew sounds simply delectable! Wish I’d had had this list of hot spots while in Paris.
Thanks Shane. The boef bourgignon is incredible!! Do keep the list handy for your next Paris trip! Cheers.
What a great roundup of authentic affordable restaurants in Paris. That steak tatare looks wonderful!
So glad you like the round up Sara. The steak tatare was really fresh and delicious!! Thanks for stopping by!
I didn’t realize that some places offered discounts for take out orders! That would’ve been good to know when I went a few years ago. I found that places were pretty expensive, so this list will help next time I visit!
So glad that you found the article helpful. Do keep it handy for your next trip to Paris. Cheers!
The onglet légumes et soda you had at Le Vin Qui Danse you had looks delicious, and is something I would definitely like to try. Only 15 EUR! I’ll be visiting Paris for a couple days next month, and will definitely keep this list handy.
Perfect timing John…you will love Le Vin Qui Danse! Glad you will be visiting soon and do let us know what you think of your experience. Safe travels to Paris! Cheers.
I´m in France at the moment and I´m afraid I avoid anywhere that serves Foie Gras on principle. I am veggie and would most like to check out Le Cinq Lorette where the food sounds much more up my street. Thanks for including somewhere with good veggie options.
Perfect Amanada, you will enjoy Le 5 Lorette. Please do let us know what you think. Enjoy your travels in France.
We’re barely into fall and I am missing fresh fruit already – those figs looked divine!
Figs, are a fall fruit in France and the season is only just beginning. Love figs as well. Cheers!
I haven’t been to France yet so I’ll have to remember this when I finally make it! One thing that surprises me is the prices. When I traveled Europe it seemed like restaurant prices were low compared to the US, but Paris seems to be about the same. Interesting!
How long ago did you travel to Europe? The currency does fluctuate and also keep in mind that Paris is a major city and restaurant prices are comparable to the major U.S. cities. The restaurants are great options. Do keep them in mind on your next travels. Cheers.
Definitely bookmarking this one for the future!
That’s awesome Christina. Please do let us know where you end up going in Paris. Cheers!
I love French food, had some great meals in Paris! Café de Flore looks so cute, always nice to eat outside! Now I’m hungry haha.
As a vegan in France, I’m always on the lookout for places to eat good plant-based food! Le Cinq Lorette looks amazing – thanks for sharing! 🙂
You are most welcome Nadine. Le 5 Lorette is an amazing option. Check it out and let us know what you think. Cheers.
That’s some good looking food! Paris one of those city’s that I can visit time and time again — in part because of the food! I really admire French cooking, but it can come with a hefty price tag. Thanks for sharing affordable options.
You are most welcome Kristen. Paris can be an affordable city for restaurants, but you do need to know how to find them. Glad this list helps!
I have always struggled to find affordable food in Paris that wasn’t from a street cart. Its nice to see that you found them! Some of these photos look so good .. the steak, that brioche desert – I am so hungry now!
Finding authentic and affordable restaurants in Paris can be sometimes difficult. Hope this list gives you a great starting place for your next trip to Paris.
France has so much delicious and affordable food, but you’re right! It can be really hard to tell the difference between a mediocre tourist trap and a perfect bistro. Fantastic suggestions for our next trip to Paris.
So glad you enjoyed the suggestions Theresa. Do keep them in mind on your trip to Paris.
Oh my god, it’s almost midnight here now and you got me drooling all over the place. I’m seriously hungry now haha. When I saw the first one I was like, okay 35 is cheap for Paris but not reaaaally cheap, more when you want to spend a bit more on an evening. And the more I read, the more I was like: damn, I need to go to Paris again.. Will definitely keep this list in mind next time!
You are most welcome Manon. We hope this list makes your next trip to Paris even more delicious. Cheers!
Hi Rosemary.
Thank you for this insightful post – it’s always good to know such inexpensive places in Paris, which tends to be super expensive.
So glad you enjoyed the article and suggestions, Joanna. Do let us know which of these restaurants you hit on your next trip to Paris. Thanks for your comments!!