Twelve Famous Restaurants in Paris That Won’t Break the Bank
Usually I prefer to write about restaurants in Paris that are good, or unique, but not that well-known. This time I thought I would write about some famous restaurants I’ve tried and as the title of this post says, won’t break the bank! Some are cheaper, others are more expensive, but none are like L’ Arpège, Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athénée , La Tour d’Argent, or other fine dining restaurants that you need to mortgage your house in order to enjoy a dinner for two!
Au Chien Qui Fume – This restaurant has been around since 1740 and has a great friendly atmosphere. The foie gras and the smoked salmon are made in house and are wonderful. They also serve oysters and shellfish all year round. Menus are 29.80 € and 39.90 €.
Au Chien Qui Fume
33 Rue du Pont-Neuf
Paris 75001
Tél. 01 42 36 07 42
Au Pied de Cochon – Open 24h a day and has never closed its doors since 1947! You must try the Onion Soup au Gratin and….what else? Why pigs feet of course! Elegant in an old style traditional way. Menus are 19,50 € and 24,00 €.
Au Pied de Cochon
6 Rue Coquilliere
Paris 75001
Tél. 01.40.13.77.03.
La Coupole – One of the most famous bistro-brasserie type restaurants that goes back 80 years to the time when famous writers like Hemingway, and painters like Picasso made this place their home away from home. I love the eclectic clientele in an old world atmosphere. Menus are 18 € and 35 €. La Coupole 102 Blvd du Montparnasse
Paris 75014
Tél: 01.43.20.14.20
Le Wepler – Well-known for their oysters and seafood, this restaurant has been around for 115 years and opened the first oyster bar. They even have seafood takeout! It too boast the famous clientele of artists and writers; Picasso, Henry Miller and Modigliani came often.
Le Wepler
14 Place de Clichy
Paris 75018
Tél : 01 45 22 53 24
Café de la Paix – The famous café opened its doors in 1862. The luxury setting near the Opéra is perfect for dining on exquisite French cuisine. They have a Tasting Menu for 85 €. (I usually love tasting menus; you really get to see what the chef has to offer. The tasting menu here was rather disappointing, for some reason they had three courses which featured tomatoes, so, ordering a la carte seemed more interesting!)
Cafe de la Paix
5 Place de l’Opéra
Paris 75009
Tél: 01.40.07.36.36
Bofinger – Another restaurant dating back to 1864 with it glass dome ceiling and rich interior is known for its Alsatian cuisine. All sauerkraut lovers, this is a restaurant to put on your list. They have four varieties, but their famous dish is seafood sauerkraut. Menu is 32,90 €. Bofinger 5-7 Rue de la Bastille Paris 75004 Tél: 01.42.72.87.82
Fouquet’s – This, over one hundred year old restaurant with the red velvet decor, is a favorite of many celebrities. Situated right on the Champs-Elysées the restaurant serves classic French cuisine. Much like the Café de la Paix, the prices won’t break you unless you want it too! The menu starts at 78,00€.
Fouquet’s
99 Avenue des Champs Elysées
Paris 75008
Tél: 01.40.69.60.50
Les Deux Magots – Who doesn’t know this wonderful cafe and restaurant?! It opened its door on the Rue du Buci in 1812 and then moved to a larger locale in 1873 to the Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés where it still stands today. Probably every famous person who has ever come to Paris has passed through its doors. The food is simple café fare with salads, sandwiches, and omelettes as the main choices during the day. For dinner, however, there is a more traditional dinner menu to choose from.
Les Deux Magots
6 Place Saint Germain des Prés
Paris 75006
Tél : 01.45.48.55.25
La Méditterranée – A great little restaurant to go to after attending the Odéon Theater and which happens to be right on the square. It was first opened back in 1944 and specializes in seafood. The atmosphere is cosy with several rooms and murals on the wall. Many actors of the day were frequent visitors such as Chaplin and Orson Wells. Fresh fish and raw oysters (What other way is there to eat them?!) are a must have here. For all you meat lover, don’t worry, there is a small selection to choose from. The restaurant is closed between 14h30 and 19h30. Menus are 27 € and 32 €.
La Méditterranée
2 Place de L’Odéon
Paris 75006
Tél: 01.43.26.02.30
Brasserie Lipp – As I mentioned in The Best of Paris, this is another place to dine on delicious Alsatian delicacies. It is one of those restaurants that has catered to the rich and famous since 1880. Go for dinner and you’ll more than likely see a number of well-known faces from the entertainment and/or political world. Menu is 41,00€. Brasserie Lipp
151 Boulevard Saint-Germain
Paris 75006
Tél: 01.45.48.53.91
La Closerie des Lilas – It is said that Hemingway wrote The Sun Also Rises here. The bar and the restaurant are not only steeped in history, it is also a dining experience not to be missed. You can read all about this great restaurant at my post here.
La Closerie des Lilas
171 Blvd. du Montparnasse
Paris 75006
Tél.: 01.40.51.34.50
Le Moulin de la Galette – Many famous artists immortalized the old Moulin de la Galette when it was a popular music hall back in the 1800’s. Who doesn’t know Renoir’s famous painting, Bal du Moulin de la Galette? I mean even if you don’t know it, you do! Perhaps not by name, but if you see the painting, you’ll go, “Oh yes, I’ve seen that before!” Once again you can read all about this great restaurant at my post here.
Le Moulin de la Galette
83 Rue Lepic
Paris 18e
Tél: 01.46.06.84.77
5 Comments
Very interesting synopsis! If one was interested in bringing a young lady to Paris and was looking for a romantic/cozy restaurant in which to dine, what would be your recommendation(s)?
Thanks!
Steven, it’s hard to give you one restaurant when you’re talking about a romantic dinner in Paris. A lot depends on how much you want to spend and/or if ambiance is the most important part of what you’re looking for. If money isn’t a problem, then the Tour d’ Argent is someplace you might consider where the food, the view and the atmosphere are all there for the right price, or L’Espadon at the Ritz Hotel is another excellent choice. If you’re looking for a great view, having dinner on top of the Eiffel Tower at the Jules Verne restaurant to many is considered the epitome of a romantic dinner; I personally think it’s more romantic seeing the Eiffel Tower than being on the Eiffel Tower, but that’s me. In the same genre, Le Ciel de Paris on top of the Montparnasse Tower also has a magnificent view. If you want great music and history as part of the romance, then La Closerie des Lilas is a good choice of restaurant. Another consideration is having dinner on the Bateaux Mouches; what can be more romantic than cruising down the Seine watching Paris unfold before your eyes while having a great dinner and music to add to the mood.
Sorry, I can no longer link you to the restaurants or what I’ve written about them, but here are some of the links:
http://www.theparistraveler.com/the-best-of/) La Tour d’Argent
http://www.theparistraveler.com/la-closerie-des-lilas/
http://www.theparistraveler.com/dining-on-the-bateaux-mouches/
[...] February 10, 2009 · No Comments Because I’m on a budget, and because I want to see famous places in Paris, I was excited to find Twelve Famous Restaurants in Paris That Won’t Break the Bank. [...]
We (3 girls,age around 33)will be in Paris between 26-30 March…thursday-monday…staying in St Germain….any idea what to do on Sunday??and where to eat best on Saturday night???thanks!(for the first night dinner we have a reservation at Hotel Costes..just to give you an idea)
Sinem, I just received your comment in my e-mail today! I’m sure you had a wonderful time while in Paris, however! As I no longer write for TPT I don’t always get the comments when they arrive, sorry about that!