So, You Want to Eat Your Way Through Paris Without Going Broke? Smart.
Alright, let’s be real. Paris is a food dream. The smell of butter and baking hits you the second you step out in the morning, and there’s a patisserie on every corner that looks like a museum for desserts. But everyone tells you it’s expensive, right? Those Michelin-starred places are amazing, I’m sure, but the real Paris—the one people actually live in—is totally within reach. You just gotta know a few tricks. I’ve put this together after a few trips where my wallet cried a lot less than my stomach was happy.
First Thing First: Let’s Talk Money (Without Getting Depressed)
Before you get lost in dreams of eclairs, have a quick chat with yourself about cash. This isn’t about being cheap, it’s about being smart so you can splurge where it counts. I’d say aim for like €35-€50 a day for food and drinks. Sounds doable? Here’s a rough breakdown:
- Breakfast: Keep it simple. €4-€7. A coffee and a pastry is the way to go.
- Lunch: This is your secret weapon. €10-€15. Seriously, lunch deals are where it’s at.
- Dinner: €15-€25. You can get a really nice meal for this if you avoid the tourist traps.
- Snacks & Wine: €5-€10. For that inevitable 4pm macaron craving or an evening glass of wine.
My two cents: If you’re dying to do a food tour, save on a couple of dinners by having epic picnics. It’s all about balance!
Breakfast Like a Local (Which Means, Skip the Hotel)
Forget the hotel buffet. The real morning magic happens at the boulangerie. Just follow your nose. Look for the “Artisan Boulanger” sign – it means they bake on-site, so it’s the good stuff.
- What to order: The classic is a café au lait and a viennoiserie (that’s the fancy word for pastries like croissants). You’re looking at €4-€5. If you’re hungrier, grab a jambon-beurre – it’s just a amazing ham and butter baguette sandwich, stupidly simple and like €3.50. Life-changing.
- Where to go: Avoid the chains like Paul if you can. Wander into a random bakery in neighborhoods like Le Marais or Montmartre. The less fancy the exterior, often the better the croissant inside. I found my favorite one completely by accident down a tiny side street.
Lunch: The Best Meal of the Day (For Your Budget)
No joke, lunch is the linchpin. So many restaurants have a “menu du jour” or “formule” that is a crazy good deal. Like, a proper two-course meal for €15. Dinner prices for the same thing can be double.
- Crêperies: Head towards the Latin Quarter for this. Get a savory buckwheat galette (filled with cheese, ham, an egg… so good) and then a sweet Nutella or sugar crêpe for dessert. Full and happy for €12-ish.
- The Falafel Debate: You have to go to the Marais for lunch one day. Rue des Rosiers. Yes, L’As du Fallafel is famous for a reason, but the line… honestly, the place next door is also fantastic. For €8, you get a falafel pita that’s a work of art. It’s messy, delicious, and you’ll need napkins.
- The Ultimate Move: The Picnic. This is my top tip. Go to a fromagerie (cheese shop, point at something that looks interesting), a charcuterie (for some ham), a boulangerie (for the baguette, obviously), and a corner store for some fruit and a bottle of cider. Take it all to Jardin du Luxembourg or the Seine banks. It’s not just cheap, it’s honestly one of the best experiences you’ll have. Trust me on this.
Dinner Without the Sticker Shock
When the lights come on, Paris gets magical. And you can absolutely be a part of it.
- Neighborhood Spots: The golden rule? Walk away from the Eiffel Tower. Like, 3-4 blocks. Suddenly, the menus are in French first and the prices make sense. Look for bistros with a chalkboard menu. Steak-frites (steak and fries) is a classic that’s always a good call and usually affordable.
- Go Global: Paris has incredible ethnic food. Want amazing Vietnamese soup? Check out the 13th arrondissement. Craving ramen? Rue Sainte-Anne is your spot. The 10th and 11th have fantastic Lebanese and North African places. It’s a great way to mix things up.
Sweets. Because, Well, Paris.
You can’t come here and not have a pastry a day. It’s basically a rule.
- Pâtisseries: Make it a ritual. Pop into a different one each afternoon. For €3-€5, you’re buying a tiny masterpiece. Don’t just get a macaron (though, Pierre Hermé is an experience)—try an éclair, or a fruit tart, or whatever looks wild and beautiful.
- Ice Cream & Chocolate: On Île Saint-Louis, there’s Berthillon ice cream. The line is long but wow, it’s good. Or just grab a single truffle from a chocolatier. It’s enough to feel fancy.
Markets Are Your Free Entertainment (Plus Food)
Spend a morning at a market even if you aren’t buying much. It’s a show.
- Marché d’Aligre is loud, bustling, and feels real. Great for people-watching and cheap picnic supplies.
- Rue Cler is prettier, more orderly. Fun to wander with a coffee.
- Marché des Enfants Rouges is a covered market with ready-to-eat food from all over the world. Perfect for a cheap and cheerful lunch.
A Few Last Tips…
- Walk everywhere. The best discoveries are the ones you weren’t looking for. That tiny cheese shop, the bar with the perfect vibe.
- Do the Apéro. Between 6-8pm, join everyone at a café for a glass of wine. It’s cheaper than later and the energy is awesome.
- Ask for tap water! Seriously, just say “une carafe d’eau” and you get free water. Saves you €4 every meal on bottled stuff.
So yeah, a food trip to Paris on a budget is totally possible. It’s actually more fun, because you’re eating like a local. It’s about that perfect, buttery croissant that costs less than a euro, and the joy of a simple baguette in a park. Those are the memories that stick with you, way more than some stuffy, overpriced meal. Have an amazing time