Wondering where to eat cheap in Paris? Whether you’re a student, a budget-conscious traveler, or simply looking for excellent value, the French capital offers plenty of delicious options. Here are some fantastic, affordable spots in central Paris that combine quality, quantity, and character.
1. Chez Alain Miam Miam – Massive Sandwiches
This bustling sandwich place is legendary. Each sandwich is made to order, stacked with fresh grilled vegetables, meats, cheese, and herbs, then toasted to perfection. They’re huge, hearty, and absolutely worth the wait. You might even hear the owner shout, “Mangez et cassez-vous!” (“Eat and get out!”)—but always with good humor.
📍 26 Rue Charlot
💰 Around 10–12€
🔗https://www.facebook.com/ChezAlainMiamMiam
2. Rue Mouffetard – Student-Friendly Street Eats in the Latin Quarter
This charming, cobblestone street near the Panthéon is lined with restaurants and cafés catering to the nearby student crowd. That means you’ll find copious, hearty meals at fair prices. There’s a bit of everything—from Asian noodles to Mediterranean mezze.
Some great picks along Rue Mouffetard:
- Sukisoba – Noodles and Japanese comfort food
- La Grotte de Chypre – Generous Greek/Cypriot plates
- Le Cèdre – Tasty Lebanese fare, from wraps to platters
📍 5th arrondissement (Latin Quarter)
💰 Most dishes around 10–15€
🔗https://www.sukisoba.fr/
3. Li Beyrouth – Incredible Lebanese Buffet for Cheap
Li Beyrouth is a standout if you’re craving Middle Eastern flavors. At lunch, enjoy a 16€ all-you-can-eat buffet, or take away a box for just 10€, piled high with falafel, tabbouleh, lentils, and roasted meats. Great food, fast service, and serious value.
📍 72 Rue Mouffetard
💰 16€ buffet, 10€ takeaway
🔗https://www.instagram.com/li_beyrouth_rest?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
4. Bouillon Chartier – Historic Parisian Dining at Low Prices
A true Paris classic since 1896, Bouillon Chartier offers a nostalgic look at Belle Époque dining without the high prices. Known for its bustling atmosphere and vintage decor—high ceilings, mirrored walls, and uniformed waitstaff—this restaurant serves dependable French comfort food in generous portions.
You’ll find staples like steak-frites, onion soup, duck confit, and crepes all priced around 10–15€, making it a perfect affordable destination for delicious yet true-to-tradition meals.
📍 7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 9th arrondissement
💰 Most mains around 10–15€
🌐 bouillon-chartier.com
5. Bouillon République
A modern take on the traditional Parisian bouillon, Bouillon République offers French comfort food at unbeatable prices. The vibe is energetic, the decor lively, and the menu loaded with crowd-pleasers like steak-frites, œufs mayonnaise, and crème brûlée.
📍 39 Boulevard du Temple, 75003 Paris
💰 Starters from 2€, mains from 8–10€, desserts around 3€
🔗 bouillonrepublique.fr
6. Bouillon Julien – Historic Setting with Belle Époque Charm
Dining at Bouillon Julien feels like stepping into a movie set. This Art Nouveau restaurant is breathtaking, and the food is just as satisfying. You’ll find traditional dishes like beef stew, escargots, and duck confit—all at prices that feel decades old.
📍 16 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris
💰 Very similar pricing: starters ~2€, mains ~10€, desserts ~3€
🔗 bouillon-julien.com
7. Bouillon Pigalle – Classic French
A traditional Parisian Bouillon serving French classics at very low prices. You can get dishes like œuf mayonnaise for €2.50, beef bourguignon for €10, and chicken with fries for €9.80. Wine is affordable too, so a two-course dinner with wine costs about €20.
Get there early to avoid waiting in line!
📍 22 boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris
🕓 Open daily, 12:00–24:00
💰 Around €15–20 for a three-course meal
🔗https://bouillonlesite.com/en/bouillon-pigalle-2
8. Kolam – Sri Lankan Street Food in Canal Saint-Martin
A small and stylish spot near Canal Saint-Martin serving flavorful Sri Lankan dishes. Try the “hopper,” a rice flour and coconut pancake bowl filled with colorful toppings. Great for vegans too — the jackfruit hopper is full of flavor and texture.
📍 27 rue de Lancry, 75010 Paris
🕓 Tue–Wed 12:00–15:00, Thu–Fri 12:00–15:00 & 19:00–22:00, Sat 12:00–16:00
💰 Mains €9–12, sides €4–6, set menu €16
🔗https://www.kolamparis.com/
9. Crêperie Genia – 2 Big Crêpes + a Drink for Just 7€
If you’re looking for one of the cheapest full meals in central Paris, Crêperie Genia is hard to beat. For only 7€, you get a savory crêpe, a sweet crêpe, and a drink—a full meal that’s both satisfying and fast. It’s a favorite among students and anyone on a tight budget.
📍 7 Rue de la Harpe and 23 Rue Mouffetard and Gal des Parnassiens
💰 7€ for the full menu (salty + sweet crêpe + drink)
10. Miznon – Creative Mediterranean Street Food in the Marais
Tucked in the lively streets of the Marais, Miznon brings a fresh, Tel Aviv-inspired twist to classic street food. Known for its pita sandwiches, roasted cauliflower, and hearty vegetarian options, it’s a favorite among locals and travelers alike. The ingredients are top quality, and the flavors are bold and satisfying — all without breaking the bank.
Popular vegetarian picks include:
- Roasted cauliflower (a signature dish)
- Ratatouille pita
- Falafel and tahini pita
📍 22 Rue des Ecouffes, 4th arrondissement (Marais)
💰 Most dishes: 8–12€
🔗 miznonparis.com
11. Falafel – Rue des Rosiers (Marais)
In the heart of the Marais, Rue des Rosiers is famous for its unbeatable falafel. L’As du Fallafel is the best-known spot, often with a line out the door, but you’ll find several nearby stands serving fresh, filling pita wraps packed with crispy falafel, creamy hummus, pickled vegetables, and eggplant.
📍 Rue des Rosiers, 4th arrondissement (Marais)
💰 Around 7–9€ per sandwich
🔗https://las-du-fallafel.restaurants-world.com/
12. Le Mesturet – Traditional French Bistro at a Fair Price
Located near the Palais Royal and Opéra, Le Mesturet is a charming, authentic French bistro offering classic cuisine in a warm, vintage setting. While à la carte dishes can be pricey, lunchtime deals (especially if you sit at the counter or downstairs) make it a real gem. You can often get a hearty main dish (“plat”) for just around 13€ — a solid deal in central Paris for freshly made food.
📍 77 rue de Richelieu, 2nd arrondissement
💰 Around 13€ for a main at lunch (counter or downstairs)
🔗https://www.lemesturet.com/en/
13. Le Relais Tropical – Affordable Caribbean Comfort Food
A local favorite since 1988, Le Relais Tropical dishes up authentic Creole cuisine from French Guiana and Guadeloupe in a vibrant, no-frills setting. It’s consistently praised for its hearty portions, bold flavors, and unbeatable prices.
Try the chicken colombo in a rich, spicy sauce over rice—7 € for a generous portion.
For a quick bite, their bokit (Antillean fried bread sandwich) comes with smoky chicken, stewed beef, or tuna.
Crunchy accras fritters and fried plantain sides are just 4–5 €
📍 169 Boulevard des Maréchaux, 20th arrondissement (near Porte des Lilas)
🕓 Open daily from 11:30 – 23:00
💰 Dishes range from 4–7 €, with drinks at 2 €
14. La Sociable – Seasonal, Creative Plates from €5 in the 19ᵉ
A vibrant newcomer on Rue de Meaux, La Sociable is a spacious eco-conscious bar-restaurant offering fresh Mediterranean-inspired dishes starting at just €5—a rare find in central Paris.
Highlights include:
- Seasonal and vegetarian options, like Sicilian caponata or tempura vegetables with smoked‑chili mayo
- Heartier plates such as seared pork belly or artisanal charcuterie
- Desserts like brownies with crème fraîche or strawberries topped with white‑chocolate ganache
- Local craft beers, natural wines, and kombucha, also from €5
📍 23 Rue de Meaux, 75019 Paris
🕓 Open Tuesday–Saturday evenings (typically from 18:00); some listings note opening at 19h
💰 Plates €5–13
🔗https://lasociable.fr/
15. A Nosa Casa de Galicia – Galician Tapas at Rock-Bottom Prices
Tucked away in the 18ᵉ arrondissement, A Nosa Casa de Galicia is a true hidden gem. Run by a Spanish cultural association, this low-key spot serves up authentic Galician tapas and hearty home-style dishes at incredibly low prices. It’s unpretentious, welcoming, and often buzzing with locals, especially on weekends.
Expect dishes like pimientos de Padrón, pulpo a la gallega, croquetas, and patatas bravas, with tapas ranging from around 4 to 12 euros. Mains such as merluza a la gallega or paella are about 13 euros, and beers can be as cheap as 1.50 euros. The portions are generous, the flavors rich, and the atmosphere warm and community-oriented.
📍 91 rue du Ruisseau, 75018 Paris (near métro Porte de Clignancourt)
🕓 Open Friday–Saturday from 12:00 to 22:30, and Sunday from 12:00 to 18:30
💰 Tapas from 4–12 €, mains ~13 €, beer 1.50–3 €
🔗https://lefooding.com/en/restaurants/a-nosa-casa-galicia
16. Miam Miam Cool – Spicy Szechuan Near the Grands Magasins
A small Szechuan restaurant in the 9th arrondissement, close to Paris’s big department stores. The food is spicy, tasty, and affordable, with noodle soups and dumplings on a short, focused menu.
You can choose your spice level from 0 to 3 — but even level 1 is pretty hot!
📍 41 rue de Provence, 75009 Paris
🕓 Monday to Saturday, 12:00 – 21:00
💰 Mains €7.50–13, sides €3–6.50, beer €3
🔗https://www.miammiamcool.fr/
17. Royal China – Shanghai-Style Chinese Food in the 3rd District
A quiet spot serving homemade Shanghai-style dishes. Watch chefs make dumplings and pancakes fresh daily. Stir-fried noodles cost about €10.50 and taste great.
Drinks are simple—just Tsingtao beer or soda—but the food makes up for it.
📍 85 rue Beaubourg, 75003 Paris
🕓 Open every day except Tuesday, 11:30–15:00 and 18:00–23:00
💰 Starters around €6, mains €9–11
🔗https://leroyalchina.fr/
18. Chez Mamane – Hearty Algerian Couscous in Butte-aux-Cailles
A small, no-frills spot famous for affordable and filling Algerian couscous. Locals love gathering here for what’s called the “best broth in Paris.” Try the Couscous Royal or chicken couscous, perfect for sharing.
Don’t miss their dessert bakes (€3) and refreshing mint tea.
📍 27 rue des Cinq Diamants, 75013 Paris
🕓 Open daily, 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
💰 Couscous €9–17; desserts €3; Moroccan wine €3; craft beers €4
🔗https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d1048572-Reviews-Chez_Mamane-Paris_Ile_de_France.html
19. Shenaz – Home-Cooked Indian Comfort Food
A hidden gem at the foot of Montmartre, Shenaz serves up home-style Indian meals—lentils, rice, curries, vegetables—for just 13€. The flavors are rich, the portions generous, and the vibe is laid-back and authentic.
📍 11 Rue Houdon 75018 Paris
🔗 shenazparis.fr/en
💰 Around 13€
