How to eat good and cheap in Paris France?

Question

Anyone have some suggestions.

Answer 1

I was more or less agreeing with the above answer until I got to the part about things costing 25 Francs.

The Franc hasn't been the French unit of currency for quite some time and the prices quoted are from years ago.

But the basic advice to try street food is good (although the prices will be higher than stated).

Consider eating your main meal at noon when full meal prices are lower than at dinner. In cafes, check for the daily special which you'll generally see on a chalk board somewhere.

In France the "menu" is a prix fixed meal, usually with limited choices, that often includes a beverage choice, for a bargain price. Avail yourself of these bargains and avoid ordering a la carte.

And just because a three course meal (appetizer-main course-dessert) is the theoretical norm doesn't mean you have to order it. Eat less and pay less.

When ordering a drink with your meal don't feel obligated to order a bottle of vintage wine. A glass of the house red or white will surely suffice (just ask for "un rouge" or "un blanc"). If water is all you want then don't feel you have to order more. However, please try to avoid having a coke with your dinner. Aside from the fact that it will cost at least as much as wine, and maybe more, you really don't want to act like a tourist.

If having a sandwich or a snack in a cafe eat standing up at the "zinc" (the bar). Prices are lower than at a table. Don't order at the bar and then take it to a table tho...that's considered cheating.

Put together picnic meals from supermarkets or street markets. People in France often buy food on just a daily basis. So vendors won't mind selling you just enough cheese or sliced ham  for a single sandwich or getting you just one piece of fruit.

Eat like a Frenchman. Don't try to find a big American or English style breakfast. it will be expensive because, generally speaking, the French don't eat big breakfasts.

Shun places with signs that say "English spoken here" or "English menus." Anyone aiming at the tourist trade is likely to overcharge.

Answer 2

Eat every meal at a crepe place on Rue Cler. It's more expensive to sit down and eat one rather than just getting one to go, go get one and eat it in the park by the Eiffel Tower.

Answer 3

Simple street fare

The simplest, most quintessentially French option is to stop at one of the ubiquitous sidewalk crêpe stands. Decide whether your tastes lean toward sel (salty) or sucre (sugary). For less than US$4, you can have a hefty crêpe au fromage et ouef (with cheese and egg) or skip lunch altogether and indulge in a rich banana and Nutella crêpe. The basic version, of course, is simply a crêpe au fromage -- be sure to specify if you'd like a dash of pepper (poivre).

Lunch shops and sidewalk stands also offer paninis -- long sandwiches on doughy rolls, pressed into a waffle iron-type grill and served up piping hot and flat. Fillings range from ham and cheese (jambon et fromage) or tuna (thon) to excellent vegetarian selections including chevre, tomato and green olive or falafel. Many of the same shops offer similar crudité -- that is, cold sandwiches on crusty baguettes. Crudité and paninis run about 20-25 Francs ($3.50-4.40).