Discover a dozen great Paris restaurants where you can eat a special meal regardless of your budget. Options range from cheap eats to fine dining as well as brunch.
1. Les Arlots
Located near the Gare du Nord, Les Arlots serves a seemingly simple menu filled with bistro classics. However, there’s nothing simple about dishes like Les Arlots’ award-winning house sausage served with a rich sauce and creamy potato purée. The dish is French comfort food at its finest.
2. Chez Georges
If you close your eyes and picture a classic French restaurant, you’ll probably picture a place like Chez Georges. Lined with banquettes and wooden chairs, its dining rooms has arched mirrors and small blackboard menus. The same goes for its menu filled with tradtional French dishes.
3. Bistrot Paul Bert
Far from a hidden gem, Bistrot Paul Bert is firmly on the radar for locals and travelers who enjoy elevated yet affordable bistro fare. It’s a tough reservation to get. Consider ordering the three-course prix fixed dinner if you score one. If not, you can order some dishes at La Cave Du Paul Bert.
Explore More: Wine Bars in Paris.
4. Au Pied de Cochon
Expect a throng of people, including families, chowing down on the local fare, wine in hand, when you dine at Au Pied de Cochon. The classic Paris brasserie serves one of the best restaurant versions of soupe l’oignon, i.e. French onion soup, in Paris. Its other dishes are good too.
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5. Frenchie
Frenchie serves a seasonal prix-fixe menu that’s simultaneously global and local. Despite its notoriety and Michelin star, Frenchie is a small space with a fairly limited schedule that only serves dinner on week nights.
See what it’s like to eat at Frenchie.
6. Le Châteaubriand
Le Châteaubriand’s constantly changing chef’s tasting menu retains a certain relevancy that feels fresh, new and free of gastronomic trickery. The 11th Arrondissement neo bistro is beloved by both locals and traveling foodies.
7. Arpège
Arpège celebrates local products grown in France, especially vegetables. Since this is a three-starred Michelin restaurant, don’t expect to eat quickly or cheaply at Arpège. Instead, expect expect a leisurely culinary affair worthy of a special occasion.
See what it’s like to eat at Arpège.
8. Septime
Far from a hidden gem, Septime has a Michelin star and has a seemingly permanent spot on William Reed’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The neo bistro is also one of the most difficult restaurant reservations to score in Paris, if not the most difficult.
See what it’s like to eat at Septime.
9. La Bourse Et La Vie
Open since 2015, La Bourse et la Vie is a classic French bistro ironically helmed by an American. The bistro’s lunch menu offers great value for meat eaters who want to dig into a juicy steak or scoop up steak tartare.
10. Bouillon Julien
Despite its grand decor, Bouillon Julien’s menu is both affordable and accessible. Like other Parisian bouillons, it’s a great spot to indulge in a meal filled with French food favorites whether you’re on a tight budget or not.
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11. Bontemps
Bontemps isn’t expensive but little touches make brunch or afternoon tea feel special here. These touches which include antique china, an ivy lined courtyard and wrought iron garden chairs attract a mostly local clientele. Most important, the food (especially the pastries) at Bontemps is delightful.
Explore More: Paris Brunch Spots
12. Le Train Bleu
Le Train Bleu, originally built for the 1900 Paris Exposition along with the Gare de Lyon, transports diners to the Belle Epoque with its intricate relief sculptures, humanist paintings and mirrors that enhance the ‘wow’ effect. Eating breakfast here is a great option for those on a budget. It’s also a lot of fun. The chance to experience the ornate art-nouveau room is nothing short of a thrill.
Paris Food Favorites
Now that you know where to eat in Paris, discover what to eat when you’re not checking out art, shopping or strolling along the Seine.
More Great Restaurants
