Eating in Paris on a Budget

When most people think of a Paris food tour, they worry about how the high cost of food could pile up meal after meal. In the past, there was some real truth to the notion that feeding yourself in Paris was going to cost you a pretty penny.

However, this has changed a bit in recent years for multiple reasons. The first is a new wave of chefs who explore culinary creativity, without over-charging their customers. There are also many cafes like Bouillon Chartier and Le Petit Cler that cater to diners seeking reasonable prices. Not to mention affordable street food vendors like L’As du Fallafel.

With so many options in the city of light, I thought I’d offer up some of my favorite spots to eat in Paris on a budget.

Bouillon Chartier

Photo credit: Bouillon Chartier

Located in Paris’s bustling 9th arrondissement, Bouillon Chartier is a historic restaurant offering diners a quintessential Parisian dining experience at affordable prices. It’s also conveniently located near attractions like the Palais Garnier opera house and the Grévin Museum.

The décor inside Bouillon Chartier is festooned with Belle Époque charm. It has high ceilings, with vintage light fixtures, and large wall-mounted mirrors that whisper with the grandeur of a bygone age. The servers are always dressed impeccably in traditional uniforms, adding to the sense of opulence.

Yet the menu, at Bouillon Chartier, which largely focuses on classical French cuisine, is priced remarkably low. This means you can enjoy traditional dishes like escargots, beef bourguignon, and tartare de bœuf for far less than you would pay at most other Parisian restaurants.

I love the beef bourguignon, which has a rich beefy flavor. The way they prepare it also helps bring out the natural sweetness of the carrots, which is a beautiful counterpoint to the robust sauce.

Bouillon Chartier (€€) – 59 Bd du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris, France – Open every day from 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM.

L’As du Fallafel

You’ll find L’As du Fallafel in Le Marais district of Paris. It’s a great place to pick up some Middle Eastern street food on your way to explore nearby attractions like the Picasso Museum and Place des Vosges. Their reputation for being budget-friendly has earned them fierce loyalty with the locals, and inspires many tourists to make a return visit!

The atmosphere surrounding L’As du Fallafel is energetic as they turn out scores if not hundreds of orders in an hour. The storefront is simple yet functional for efficient service, while still giving you a peek at what’s going on behind the counter.

The most popular thing on L’As du Fallafel’s menu is their falafel pita. They also offer shawarma, kebabs, grilled eggplant, and other Middle Eastern specialties. You can also adjust the level of spiciness and customize the vegetable accompaniment of many dishes if you want.

I pretty much always get their falafel pita, which is packed with crispy, perfectly spiced falafel that are creamy on the inside. I always get it dressed with a little of their flavorful hummus. Then I ask them to make it spicy, which adds to the flavor without blinding heat.

L’As du Fallafel (€) – 34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris, France – Open Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Open Friday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed on Saturday. 

Le Petit Cler

Le Petit Cler in the heart of Paris’s 7th arrondissement is one of the best bistros for a quality meal at a friendly price. It’s also within a short walk of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides. They have a very affordable lunch menu, which makes it an easy stop for a quick bite before touring the area’s sights.  

The atmosphere inside Le Petit Cler is warm with many areas of intimate seating. The whole place has the feel of a classic Parisian bistro with wooden tables, and simple decor.

However, I think the place to be is the outdoor seating area, which allows you to take in the bustling energy of Rue Cler. It’s a great place to tuck in for a budget-friendly meal with a side of people-watching.

Le Petit Cler’s menu offers a wide range of traditional French dishes at good price points. Some of the top options include croque-monsieur, croissants, steak-frites, and duck confit. Their daily specials often center around soups, creative salads, and sometimes quiches.

This is one of my favorite places in Paris for duck confit. You get a staggeringly generous portion at a very friendly price. Everything about the meat is what you expect from a tender, flavorful classic confit. I also love how easily you can crush the crispy potatoes to let them soak up the natural juices of the duck leg.  

Le Petit Cler (€€) – 29 Rue Cler, 75007 Paris, France – Open every day from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

La Crêperie de Josselin

Nestled in the Montparnasse district of Paris, La Crêperie de Josselin is a beloved institution selling high-quality sweet and savory crepes at very reasonable prices. It’s also conveniently close to notable attractions like the Cimetière du Montparnasse, Jardin du Luxembourg, and Montparnasse Tower.

La Crêperie de Josselin’s ambiance is cozy with warm wooden traditional Breton decor that speaks to the original history of crepes in French culture. The dining area also has a close-knit table setup that’s reminiscent of the crêperies of Brittany.

Just note that La Crêperie de Josselin’s popularity means it’s often crowded. So, plan to either make reservations or plan to show up at an off-peak time.

Along with sweet and savory crepes La Crêperie de Josselin also has a wide array of budget-friendly galettes. Many of which pair nicely with inexpensive cider.

While they are well known for their savory crepes and galettes with ham, eggs, cheese, and mushrooms, I’m still a fan of their sweet crêpes. My personal favorite is a sweet crepe rolled around gently caramelized apples.

Then they drizzle it with a homemade salted butter caramel that has a staggering depth of flavor. When they’re available I ask for some toasted walnuts, which I think takes the flavor of the caramel and apples to the next level.

La Crêperie de Josselin (€€) – 67 Rue du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris, France – Open Tuesday from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30 to 10:30 PM. Closed on Sunday. 

Phở Bánh Cuốn 14

Photo credit: Phở Bánh Cuốn 14

You’ll find Phở Bánh Cuốn 14 in Paris’s 13th arrondissement, near the city’s Chinatown area. They’re well-known by locals for celebrating France’s long history with Vietnam and the mutual influence the two cultures have had on each other’s cuisine. Travelers and locals consider it to be the must-try place for affordable authentic Vietnamese dishes.

Phở Bánh Cuốn 14 features no-frills décor that is modest with functional tables and seating arrangements. Like a lot of Vietnamese restaurants, the layout is designed for efficient service. If you want a little more elbow room, and the weather is nice, I think the outdoor seating area is the place to be.  

As the name implies, pho is the shining star on Phở Bánh Cuốn 14’s menu. To the uninitiated, it’s a traditional Vietnamese soup with a fragrant broth and vibrant vegetables. While sliced raw beef is traditional, you can often substitute other proteins like chicken and slow-cooked beef brisket. I appreciate that you can serve it with traditional or ramen noodles.

They also serve dumplings and steamed rice rolls filled with savory pork, shrimp, and mushrooms. The fish sauce they offer for dipping is very umami-rich, highlighting the depth of flavor in the dumplings.

Phở Bánh Cuốn 14 (€€) – 129 Av. de Choisy, 75013 Paris, France – Open every day from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Conclusion

If you’re a foodie wanting to enjoy a classical Parisian dining experience on a budget, or you’re simply looking for travel tips to mind your food budget, the restaurants on this list are a great place to start. While there are certainly cafés, brasseries, and fine-dining restaurants with staggering high prices, Paris has become more affordable than you might think.

Including a place like Le Petit Cler or Bouillon Chartier in your next Paris food tour gives you a chance to taste Parisian cuisine at a reasonable price. Other places like L’As du Fallafel, and La Crêperie de Josselin are also great places to eat on the go, without breaking your travel budget. 

Sources:

Bouillon Chartier. (n.d.). Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards. Retrieved from http://www.bouillon-chartier.com/   

L’As du Fallafel. (n.d.). L’As du Fallafel – Restaurant. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/lasdufallafel/?hl=en 

Le Petit Cler. (n.d.). Le Petit Cler. Retrieved from https://menuonline.fr/lepetitcler 

La Crêperie de Josselin. (n.d.). La Crêperie de Josselin. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/240783548/la-creperie-de-josselin/?hl=en 

Phở Bánh Cuốn 14. (n.d.). Phở Bánh Cuốn 14. Retrieved from https://pho14paris.fr/