36 Cheap Restaurants in Paris for a Real Sit-Down Meal
A cheap restaurant next to the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame usually serves a set menu built for people who won't come back: a gray steak, limp fries, a crème brûlée straight from the factory. The places where Parisians sit down on a budget are elsewhere, and their menus are chalked up in French.
We found 36 cheap restaurants in Paris where the bill stays low and the cooking holds up, all cross-checked across Le Fooding, Time Out and the guides locals trust. Just need something fast? See our quick bites. A little more to spend? Try the affordable restaurants.
Chef Eyal Shani's energetic pita palace brings bold Israeli street food to the Marais with roasted cauliflower and creative vegetable-forward dishes.
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Chef Rudy Laine's wood-fired Afro-Caribbean cuisine brings the vibrant flavors of Africa and the Antilles to the banks of Canal Saint-Martin.
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Neapolitan pizza excellence with limited daily production and theatrical pizzaiolo performances across multiple Paris locations.
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A beloved Butte-aux-Cailles institution serving authentic Algerian couscous at unbeatable prices in a warmly convivial atmosphere since generations.
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A pioneering 100% vegan canteen serving Jamaican-inspired plant-based cuisine with Italian influences in a laid-back, eco-conscious setting.
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A legendary Parisian institution where Art Nouveau splendor meets affordable French bistro classics in a bustling, timeless atmosphere.
Champion-crafted tacosushi and Japanese street food in an immersive izakaya setting by France's 2018 sushi champion.
Award-winning Sichuan noodle house where handmade dan dan noodles and customizable spice levels earned Le Fooding's "Best Noodles" distinction in 2016.
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A modern meat-focused eatery where butcher-quality cuts meet street food convenience, served with homemade fries and creative sauces in a vibrant setting designed by street artist Zics.
A welcoming vegan burger joint in the 10th arrondissement where homemade street food is prepared fresh before your eyes.
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Authentic Xi'an street food meets Parisian bistrot charm, where handmade momos and Biang Biang noodles bring the flavors of China's ancient Silk Road capital to the 10th arrondissement.
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A traditional Breton crêperie serving organic buckwheat galettes and sweet crêpes in a charming former bakery setting.
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A historic Belle Époque bouillon serving traditional French cuisine at remarkably affordable prices in a stunning Monument Historique setting.
A bustling Japanese canteen near Opéra serving handmade ramen, donburi, and traditional comfort dishes in a minimalist setting.
A vibrant celebration of African culinary heritage reimagined through gourmet burgers and homemade street food in the heart of Paris.
Ultra-thin Calabrian pizzas with 36-hour matured dough served in an intimate Montmartre setting where the passionate chef commands the room.
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A neighborhood crêperie on the slopes of Belleville serving authentic buckwheat galettes and sweet crêpes with organic ingredients, paired with a curated selection of natural ciders and vintage calvados.
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A welcoming Indonesian gem near Gare du Nord serving authentic, made-to-order dishes in a charming setting with terrace seating.
A vibrant Asian dining destination where traditional dim sum, wok specialties, and lacquered duck meet French culinary finesse across multiple Parisian locations.
A welcoming Lebanese restaurant serving traditional specialties in a lively Parisian neighborhood.
A welcoming Algerian restaurant in the Maraîchers neighborhood, serving traditional couscous, tajines, and grilled specialties from its signature meat bar, all 100% halal.
A vibrant Mediterranean canteen serving creative plant-based and vegan cuisine with a commitment to local, seasonal ingredients across three Parisian locations.
A unique café where wellness sessions and gourmet comfort food converge in the heart of Paris's 9th arrondissement.
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A family-run trattoria serving vera Pizza Napoletana with 36-hour fermented dough and fresh ingredients imported directly from Italy.
A true Italian pizzeria specializing in long-fermented semolina dough pizzas, crafted with imported ingredients and available exclusively for takeout.
A rare gem serving traditional Comorian homemade dishes in a warm, family-friendly atmosphere at remarkably accessible prices.
A noodle-focused dining destination in Paris where Asian-inspired dishes take center stage.
A vibrant Vietnamese canteen near Père Lachaise where a southern Vietnam-trained chef serves authentic sharing plates in a Ho Chi Minh-inspired setting.
An intriguing Parisian address waiting to reveal its culinary identity.
Le Soleil offers a distinctive dining experience in the heart of Paris, inviting guests to discover its unique culinary identity.
A vibrant Caribbean bistro in the 10th arrondissement serving authentic Antillean specialties, from crispy fried chicken to the iconic bokit sandwich.
A charming neighborhood spot where fresh, wholesome cuisine meets authentic Parisian conviviality.
A cozy neighborhood spot in the 9th arrondissement serving authentic homemade Chinese cuisine crafted with quality ingredients and zero shortcuts.
A vibrant Brazilian street food counter at Marché Saint Quentin serving authentic Bahian flavors through a weekly-changing menu that celebrates traditional recipes.
An American burger haven in Pigalle where patties sizzle on volcanic lava bricks, delivering authentic flavors steps from the Moulin Rouge.
Where to find the best cheap restaurants in Paris
A good cheap restaurant has a short menu, a full room at 1pm and regulars who don't need to read it. Lunch is usually the best deal, and many small places close on Sunday or Monday, so check the opening hours with the filters above before you set out. The map shows which ones are within walking distance of wherever you are.
Bouillons: French classics for pocket change
The bouillon is Paris's original cheap restaurant. Bouillon Chartier has fed the Grands Boulevards since 1896, under Belle Époque ceilings and mirrors, with room for hundreds: onion soup, escargots, œuf mayonnaise, bœuf bourguignon. Call ahead to book. Chartier Montparnasse is on the list too. Hunting one classic in particular? See our onion soup and escargots pages.
Noodles, dumplings and couscous
On rue Saint-Martin, Trois Fois plus de Piment won Le Fooding's best noodles award in 2016 for its handmade dan dan noodles; choose your heat on a scale from 0 to 5. By Canal Saint-Martin, La Taverne de Zhao cooks Xi'an street food like biang biang noodles and golden jiaozi. And on the Butte-aux-Cailles, Chez Mamane serves a generous Algerian couscous royal from 7pm; call to reserve. More in our couscous and Asian food selections.
Crêpes, pizza and plant-based plates
Tanguy, in the 10th, makes organic buckwheat galettes from €2.50 in a former bakery under a 1930s ceiling fresco; try the andouille de Guémené. It's closed on Monday. Dalmata bakes only 101 Neapolitan pizzas per service, so book for dinner. Meat-free eaters have Jah Jah by Le Tricycle, a vegan canteen, and Les Tontons Veg, for vegan burgers on rue de Lancry. See also our galettes and vegetarian restaurants.
Where to look
The 10th has far more cheap restaurants on this list than any other arrondissement, especially around the canal and the Faubourg Saint-Denis, followed by the 9th and the 20th. Start with the restaurants in the 10th. For more good-value cooking with a guide's seal of approval, browse the Bib Gourmand list, Michelin's selection for quality at a fair price. Open any place for its must-try dishes, prices and the good and not-so-good from reviews.