Eating out in Paris

[Lonelythisxmas]

I’ve heard you can get really stung in Paris for food so was wondering if anyone had any tips for reasonably priced restaurants? Staying not far from Jardin de Luxembourg (5th arr.)

TIA

The places closest to all the sights will be more expensive. DS managed to order the worlds most expensive ice cream when we stopped for a drink across the river from the Louvre. 15E for 1 scoop!

I can't help as I was last in Paris in the 80's, but oh how jealous I am of you! We were students and lived off crepes from a van....

One place I really like is called Bouillon Racine. Not been for a long time but I really liked it. link here

Also, have a quick look at the menu and price list outside cafes and restaurants before you go in. Lots of places do good deals with a prix fixed menu, so a two or three course lunch can be much more reasonable than ordering a la carte.

Chartier

Le Procope

Au Bon Couscous

... all open for years, a good sign, and all on the web.

Try a restaurant called Bouchon Chartier it is a chain. You do not book just turn up. The menu changes daily and the food is reasonably priced. Beware the queues can get very long though!

August’s on Rue de Bourgogne (Not cheap but lovely)
Zia on avenue de Tourville, is cheaper.
L’Arpege on rue de Varenne,

If you cross the river into the 7th there are more reasonably priced places around the Rue du Bac.

Most restaurants have good-value lunch menus and it’s perfectly acceptable to order just two courses or to share a dessert. Paris tap water is free and perfectly drinkable (ask for a carafe d’eau), bread is always provided free, and service is always included in the bill, so it’s not necessary to tip (and most French don’t) unless you really want to.
Unless you are a wine snob or someone who can tell the difference between every vintage, house wine is the way to go in France. A pitcher or carafe of wine is always cheaper than a bottle.
Creperies, on the whole, are an affordable way to eat out. Breizh Cafe is my favourite, although not particularly budget as crêperies go, it’s streets ahead of the competition in terms of quality.

Bistro Ernest on Rue du Seine is a lovely tiny local place

start your evening at La Robe et La Mousse or L'Avant Comptoir de la mer, both on le Carrefour de l'Odéon