More ways to save in Paris:

• 50 ways to save time and money on your trip to Paris
• 10 costly mistakes that tourists make in Paris
• Paris: 10 tips to save on dining

The Best Cheap Meal in Paris

Nestled into the cobblestone streets of the trendy Marais neighborhood, L’As du Fallafel is a sure bet for your next meal in Paris, where you can get an amazing falafel sandwich for only €8.

How to order at L’As du Fallafel

L’As du Fallafel (French for “the Falafel Ace”) sits on Rue des Rosiers, a charming and windy little street in the heart of Paris’s historic Jewish neighborhood. As you approach the restaurant, you will most likely find a line of hungry and excited fellow Cheapos waiting to get a falafel to go. There’s always a line, but don’t worry; it’ll move quickly. You will be approached by the restaurant staff to place your order and pay before you reach the window. This is a great way of handling the crowd, so hats off to the restaurant for efficiency.

It goes without saying that you should order the falafel sandwich to go. You can get it spicy or not spicy, your choice. Hand over your €8, wait patiently, show your receipt to the front window. Voila, you’ll have yourself one tasty and budget-friendly Parisian meal.

What €8 gets you at L’As du Fallafel

L’As du Fallafel dishes up a relatively large pita filled to the brim with crispy fried falafels, garlicky hummus, harissa, crunchy pickled red cabbage, cucumbers, and perfectly fried eggplant. We recommend getting a fork and plenty of napkins as you leave to prevent a mess. If you can bear to wait a few minutes before digging in, walk to Place des Vosges, a beautiful nearby park. Here, you can lounge on the grass after finishing this delectable Cheapo phenomenon. In addition to this gorgeous park, don’t forget to check out these 25 free things to do in Paris.

Contact and hours for L’As du Fallafel

L’As du Fallafel is located at 34, rue des Rosiers (Métro: St. Paul). If you plan to Uber there, here are some tips to get the cheapest ride. They don’t have a website, but they can be reached at (33-1) 48-87-63-60. The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and closed Saturday.

Looking to save for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the City of Light? This guide will help you find cheap eats in Paris.

The post L’As du Fallafel dishes up the best €8 meal in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But the typical beer experience in France is a bit different from the one in North America or the UK, ranging from how pints are typically ordered and served to the types of popular beers on tap. Read on for the basics on what to expect when ordering a round in the City of Light

Related:

• 6 Tips for buying wine in France
• Buying a Sim Card in France
• 50 Ways to save on your trip to France

Tips for ordering French beer

1. Small or large?

In France, you don’t just get to choose the type of beer you want, but also the size of the glass. Your bartender will ask you if you want “un demi” (a half-pint that costs about €3 to 4), or “une pinte” (a pint that costs €6-8). The demi almost always costs half what the pint costs. If you’re not a big drinker, or simply want to pace yourself, the demi can make a good option, but the pint might save you a bit if you plan on drinking more than one demi.

2. Beer always comes with a glass

If you order a bottled beer, the bartender or server will always give you a glass to pour your drink into, whether you asked for one or not. This small cultural difference between France and the United States shocked an older French acquaintance of mine on a trip to Louisiana when, after ordering a bottled beer in New Orleans, the bartender just plonked down the bottle and left. “You always serve it with a glass,” he said to me, sighing, “because, it’s just, that’s just what you do.”

Bars always serve beer in a glass. Always. Photo: Matt Seppings

3. Cost depends on your seat

While the cost of beer in anglophone countries only depends on the beer type you’ve ordered, in France, the cost can also depend on where you decide to sit. If you choose a seat at the bar, your drink will cost about €1 cheaper than if you decide to sit at a table. And in some establishments, such as posh restaurants on the Champs-Elysées, your drinks will cost a few euros more if you sit outside. So when going for a drink, just keep in mind that if you find a great seat, you might be paying a bit extra for the privilege of being there.

Related: What you can expect to pay in Paris — and how to pay less!

4. Keep an eye out for happy hours

A welcome relief in one of the most expensive cities in the world, happy hours offer discounts on drinks in many bars and pubs around town. Establishments offering a happy hour usually advertise that fact on a chalkboard or easel just next to their entrances, making them easy to spot.

Related: 10 tips for saving on dining in Paris

Keep an eye out for happy hours like this one in the Latin Quarter in Paris. Photo: Elaine

5. Would you like syrup with that?

In France, sugary fruit syrups are not just for lattés. The French are known for mixing a variety of syrups with their beer. Popular offerings include peach, strawberry, lemon, ginger, black currant and mint. You can also order a beer with a shot of grenadine — just ask for “un tango“. It costs about €.20 to .50 extra to get a shot of syrup.

6. “Picon” mixes in citrus

Typical of the Paris region and in much of northern France, “picon” is an aperitif made from fresh oranges and distilled alcohol. It is also commonly mixed with beer. Ask for “une picon biére” at a bar and you’ll get a sweet drink with a hint of citrus. It will only cost you about €.50 to €1.50 extra.

7. “Panaché” mixes in lemonade

Called the “panaché“, this drink is half beer, half carbonated lemonade. A variation, called the “Biére Monaco“, is the same thing but with a shot of grenadine included. If you find yourself sitting on a terrace on a hot summer day, this mixture can be a really refreshing relief from the heat.

Pelforth is a classic brew from northern France. Photo: Clayton Parker

8. So, what’s on tap?

If you check the tap at just about any bar, café, bistro or restaurant in Paris, you’ll almost always find the following:

Kronenbourg 1664: A light, crisp lager produced in Alsace.

Grimbergen: From the Flanders region of Belgium, this brand makes a wide variety of popular ales and wheat beers.

Pelforth: A brewery which makes a famously light pale ale of the same name, produced in the northern French region of Nord de Pas Calais.

Other beers that make frequent appearances include the Belgian wheat beer brand Leffe, the Belgian pilsner Stella Artois, and Dutch lagers Heineken and Grolsch.

Related: Tasting the unique beer culture of Lille for less

9. Christmas beers

Some breweries whip up a batch of warming, hoppy specialty beers for Christmas, known as “les bieres de noel”. Brasserie Schutzenberger and Meteor, two brewers from Alsace, produce popular bieres de noel that can be found in bars and in supermarkets come December.

10. Traditional French beer from the Calais region

Known as “biere de garde“, these amber or gold-colored brews generally have a malty taste and have high alcohol content. Some well-known biere de garde brewers in France include Trois Monts, Jenlain and Brasserie Castelain. While not found quite as often on tap in Paris, they can be picked up at most supermarkets or in specialty beer or wine stores.

Bonus Cheapo Tip: If you want to do a beer tasting in your hotel room, however, this would be the cheapest way, with a 75 cl bottle of most domestic beers costing less than €3 at the supermarket.

Related: A guide to Paris supermarkets

Santé!

The post Paris: A guide to ordering beer in France appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We highly recommend treating yourself to a classic French meal at least once during your stay, but for those other nights when you’d like to reign in your budget, it’s wise to have a few cheap and delicious options in mind. And remember, if you want to splurge, you can always go for a nice prix-fixe lunch. There are several great lunch deals starting from €14 that will fill you up in style, and help you save later with a light dinner.

Tips for Paris hotels:
• The Best budget accommodations in Paris
• Simple ways to save on your hotel in Paris
• 11 Cheap hotels with lots of character and charm

Our favorite cheap dinners in Paris

With that in mind, here are eight trusted Paris dinner spots, all of which can be enjoyed for less than €10.

1. L’as du fallafel: Delicious Middle Eastern eats

A Paris classic and perennial cheapo favorite in the Marais, L’as du fallafel attracts foodies from all over the world. And for good reason! The falafel sandwich here is simply fantastic, and at around €8, it’s one of the best deals in Paris. The only downside: Be prepared to wait in a line (but it moves quickly).

32-34 Rue des Rosiers
4th arrondissement
+33 1 48 87 63 60
Metro: Saint-Paul (Line 1)

Related: Top affordable Paris hotels in the Marais

2. Breizh Café: Savory and sweet crepes

A short walk from L’as du fallafel, Breizh Café serves up some of the best crepes in Paris. Paris food expert and cookbook author David Lebovitz loves the buckwheat versions with egg, ham and cheese. Try a savory one for around €9-12, and you’ll be full and happy all night!

109 Rue Vieille du Temple
3rd arrondissement
+33 1 42 72 13 77
Metro: Saint-Sébastien – Froissart (Line 8)

3. Krishna Bhavan: Spicy Indian food for less

Paris may not be known for its Indian food, but this place is a great option if you’re looking for something to spice things up. At Krishna Bhavan, you can enjoy a hearty dish, side, and drink for about €10 around the corner from Gare du Nord.

24 Rue Cail
10th arrondissement
+33 1 42 05 78 43
Metro: La Chapelle (Line 2)

4. Higuma: Well-priced Japanese menu

Rue Sainte-Anne in the 1st arrondissement is home to many tasty Japanese restaurants that serve a range of budgets. Higuma offers the perfect balance of delicious food and low prices. A bowl of ramen here starts at only €7.50 and most dishes are under €10.

32 bis Rue Sainte-Anne
1st arrondissement
+33 1 47 03 38 59
Metro: Pyramides (Lines 7 and 14)

Related: Cheap hotels near the Louvre

5. Bistrot Victoires: Tasty salads and French fare

A perennial favorite, Bistrot Victoire is classic, cozy and ideal for those traveling on a budget who want to enjoy authentic French cuisine. Try any of their amazing salads for €10-11 each.

6 Rue la Vrillière
1st arrondissement
+33 1 42 61 43 78
Metro: Bourse or Sentier (Line 3)

6. Chartier: Classic French on a budget

A tried and true budget eater’s paradise, Chartier serves up no-frills classic French food at crazy good prices. We love it so much, we wrote an ode to it on our blog. Mains range from €8.50-13.50, an exceptional value in modern day Paris.

7 rue du Faubourg Montmartre
9th arrondissement
01 47 70 86 29
Métro: Grands Boulevards (Lines 8 & 9)

Related: Cheap Paris hotels in the 9th arrondissement

7. Candelaria: Cocktails and tacos

A key player in the Paris bar scene, Candelaria is also home to some of the best (and only?) tacos in the city. For about €6 per taco, you can save on dinner before heading back to the bar to splurge on their amazing drinks.

52 Rue de Saintonge
3rd arrondissement
+33 1 42 74 41 28
Metro: Filles du Calvaire (Line 8)

8. Le Comptoir General: West African food and a cool vibe

Packing a cool bar, thrift store, hair salon, museum, and more into one space, Le Comptoir General is also home to some delicious and affordable West African and Caribbean cuisine. Try the assiette africaine for around €10, and then stay for cocktails!

80 Quai de Jemmapes
10th arrondissement
+33 1 44 88 24 48
Metro: Jacques Bonsergent or Goncourt (Lines 5 or 11)

The post Eating Cheap in Paris: 8 dinners for €15 or less appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

I’m not going to make individual restaurant recommendations right now (the list is long, highly personal and ever-changing!), but there are a few general rules for most eating establishments that will help you keep the bill in check.

Note that these budget tips don’t necessarily apply to 3-star Michelin restaurants, but I’m pretty sure none of them will make the cut for cheap eats anyway.

Paris dining tips for saving on your bill

1. Do a bit of research

If you’re reading this, then you’re already on the right track. Knowing what to look for when browsing restaurants is important. Impossibly long menus, or menus posted outside in several languages (with an overeager barker trying to get you inside), are all signs that the food probably won’t live up to the price. Don’t give in too much to TripAdvisor or Yelp (again, highly personal!), but a quick scan might not be a bad idea if you have an extra minute.

It’s also important to note that many Parisian establishments serve lunch between 12 pm and 2 pm, give or take. Dinner reservations usually start at 7 pm and can go until 9 pm or even 10 pm at some places. Think to check the hours of a restaurant before heading over, because nothing is worse than finding your soon-to-be favorite dining spot and arriving five minutes before they close. Places marked “brasserie” typically stay open between lunch and dinner, but these tend to be basic dining options.

Related: 5 Classic meals to try in Paris before you leave

2. Don’t overpay for a lousy hotel breakfast

To start your day, you might be tempted to indulge in the hotel breakfast or a more American- or British-style breakfast in the big touristy areas. We say skip it. Unless you need a full spread of cold breakfast meats, eggs, yogurt, and cereal, hotel breakfasts are not usually worth the hefty price tags.

Instead, head out to the city with the locals to find a basic Parisian breakfast, which is as simple as a croissant, coffee, and orange juice. Sit down in a café or bakery and enjoy the people watching while nibbling on your pastry, and then prepare for the bill – a measly €5 or 6!

Related: How to save money on breakfast in Paris

3. Splurge at lunch

If you want to go to one of the trendy restaurants that the bloggers are all buzzing about, but don’t like the look of the dinner prices, consider going at lunch when prices are much cheaper. A set lunch menu, usually consisting of two courses, will be a much cheaper option while still including the same great food.

Look out for the lunchtime plat du jour (often scribbled outside the door on a chalkboard) to keep costs low. After a wonderful lunch, you’d feel perfectly justified with just a crepe or a falafel for dinner.

Related: 5 Tasty set menus in Paris from €12

4. Don’t feel pressured

Waiters are great at making you feel like you need a bottle of wine, a pre-dinner drink, bubbly water, or some other pricey add-on. Just say “non, merci”  and order what you want. Don’t feel pressured to rack up the bill just because the server is suggesting things — though if he or she is suggesting the cheaper option of wine or dish, it might be for a good reason.

Related: 10 French phrases every traveler should know

5. Ask for “un carafe d’eau”

This one again. Don’t order a bottle of water unless you think you need it. Still water, from the tap, is perfectly and deliciously drinkable in Paris. And, of course, it’s free. Don’t hesitate or feel cheap because you’re going with this option — everyone else is doing it, too!

6. “Un pichet de vin” tastes great

And to that end, unless you are a wine snob or someone who can tell the difference between every vintage, house wine is the way to go in France. A pitcher or carafe of wine is always cheaper than a bottle, and rarely disappointing. No, it won’t be a wine you’ll write home about, but if you’re writing home about wine anyway, we need to talk about that privately.

Related: 6 tips for buying wine in France

7. Watch out for additional charges

It’s common to find supplemental charges for certain food choices in set or “prix fixes” menus. While one or two euros is fine, adding €10 or €15 to a set menu adds up quickly to a not-so-cheapo meal, so just be aware. It’s usually indicated by a simple “+2” next to the item (to, in this case, signify a €2 extra charge).

8. Consider skipping dessert

Some restaurants do fantastic desserts. The profiteroles at Chez Georges are worth it, I’ll admit it. But most standard cafés and bistros don’t really bring their A-game when it comes to sweets, I find. And at €6-10 for a small bowl of crème caramel, I’d rather spend my money elsewhere.

If I’m skipping dessert, I’ll head to one of the gelato places like Pozetto, Grom, or even Amorino for a little treat to round off the meal. They’re usually open quite late, and at about half the price of a dessert in a restaurant, you’ll save a few euros. Another option? Plan ahead and hit up a bakery during the day to have a treat waiting for your back in your room after your meal.

Don’t worry too much about tipping more than a few extra euros. Photo: Franklin H.

9. Don’t get too tip-sy

Ah yes, the tip. I’d never discourage anyone from tipping at all — even though many French people would. But if you do want to leave a little something, don’t pull up your phone’s calculator to figure out 15%. Just leave a few coins, maybe €4-5 for really excellent service, and be done with it. I still feel cheap leaving €2 from time to time, but remember that your servers are getting paid real wages in France, so they won’t go hungry.

Related: When (and when not) to tip in Paris

10. Don’t waste food

You tried really hard to finish that giant plate of food, probably at a restaurant like Chez Gladines. But you just can’t. Now it’s going to go to waste, right? Wrong! A new policy started in 2016, many larger restaurants (those who serve 150 tables a day or more) are required to provide doggy bags to customers. It may seem so un-French to take food home and heat it up later, but if it means a late-night snack or even lunch the next day at no additional charge, this is a cheapo win!

The post Paris: 10 tips to save on dining appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Some restaurants are so overrun with tourists that the experience is not fun or the food just isn’t up to par. On the flip side, a fancy Parisian bistro can be a little intimidating for visitors who want a more casual experience or don’t want to spend a few hundred euros.

We’ve done the “hard work” over the years of testing dozens of restaurants, wine bars, and bakeries around Paris to find our favorites that offer quality without breaking the bank.

Related: 10 tips for saving on Paris dining

5 Paris places that attract locals and tourists

We’ve compiled five reliable spots to eat and drink where you can always enjoy good food, pastries or wine at a good price. Sure, you might be seated next to a table of tourists happily snapping away on their iPhone, but you might also be sitting next to a group of French business people out for a Friday office lunch.

Both tourists AND locals love these five spots:

Lunchtime at Bistrot Victoire means a hearty (and cheap!) serving of duck confit!

Bistrot Victoire

6 Rue de la Vrillière
1st arrondissement
Nearest metro: Bourse or Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre

Located just a quick stroll from the Louvre, Bistrot Victoire is definitely on the tourists’ circuit. However, we’ve also seen many locals dining there as well. With delicious plates like steak frites, salmon tartare, and roast chicken at very fair prices, this cozy bistro is always packed for lunch. During a recent visit, we chowed down on a lovely duck confit with two glasses of wine and a coffee for less than €20.

The view from the bar at Robert et Louise.

Robert et Louise

64 Rue Vieille du Temple
3rd arrondissement
Nearest metro: Saint-Paul or Rambuteau
website

Does a grilled steak over an open wood fire sound like it might hit the spot? Robert e Louise is your ticket to carnivore heaven. Vegetarians will be happy too with a delicious mushroom omelet on the menu. Located in the heart of the Marais, this restaurant is a favorite for visitors from all over the world, but it also attracts French people. One time, I had lunch at a table with a group of five French pensioners going all out for an epic meal.

Sip a glass of wine or bring a bottle to take your favorite vintage to go.

Le Baron Rouge

1 Rue Théophile Roussel
12th arrondissement
Nearest metro: Ledru-Rollin
website

Run by a friendly group of vin lovers, Le Baron Rouge really is the wine bar of our dreams. They have an incredible selection of French vintages, the prices are very cheapo-friendly, and the staff is always ready to offer suggestions. As a bonus, they have a nice menu of small bites, so you can pair your Sancerre with a trio of cheeses or a tin of gourmet sardines. Keep an eye on the giant barrels where Parisians come to fill up their bottles to bring home.

Your reward for getting a table: A beautiful buckwheat crepe at Breizh Cafe. Photo: Kent

Breizh Cafe

109 rue Vieille du Temple
4th arrondissement
Nearest metro: Filles du Calvaire
website

With so many crepe stands all over the city, you’d think it would be easy to find a tasty version. But it’s a lot harder than you think! Our solution is to head to Breizh Crepes where you can sit down and dine on a tasty buckwheat crepe from the Breton region and enjoy a glass of traditional cider. It’s not the cheapest crepe in town and there can be a wait if you don’t have a reservation, but after a few bites, you might just be planning a return trip.

Related: Our favorite crepes and creperies in Paris

It’s worth the wait for the scrumptious treats at Du Pain Et Des Idées.

Du Pain Et Des Idées

34 rue Yves Toudic
10th arrondissement
Nearest metro: Jacques Bonsergent
website

We’re not big fans of waiting in line for anything, but once you’ve tasted the pastries at Du Pain Et Des Idées, you’ll see what the fuss is all about. They have perfectly-baked loaves of bread, spectacular cakes, flaky croissants, and savory snacks filled with cheese and bacon. The top attractions are “Les Escargots” — a spiral pastry that can be filled with anything from raisins to chocolate and pistachio.

More Paris cheap eats

Looking for more places to eat in Paris on a budget? You might want to check out Chez Chartier or read up on how you can eat your way through Paris on €20 a day. And let us know where you love to eat in Paris!

The post Paris: 5 Affordable restaurants loved by both locals and tourists appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And there’s no need to empty your wallet trying to dine like Louis XVI. Parisians have mastered the art of exploring their city’s cuisine without breaking the bank.

Bon appétit!

More tips for dining in Paris

• 8 Dinners in Paris for €10 or less
• 10 Tips for saving on dining in Paris
• 5 Meals to try before you leave Paris
• All posts on saving on dining in Paris

Paris cheap eats itinerary

From a classic Parisian breakfast to their famous crêpes, here’s a dining timetable to follow to keep your costs in check.

Note that this eating itinerary doesn’t include wine or beer, but a few glasses of delicious house wine won’t add much to your budget. You also don’t have to worry about tipping in Paris most of the time, especially in cafes and markets.

Here’s how you too can explore French food like a Parisian for under €20 a day.

9 am. Breakfast: Croissant & coffee

The key to a Parisian breakfast is to be light and quick. Life in France starts later than the US, most businesses don’t even open until 9 am, and “early birds” get to work around 9:30 am. As a result, an emphasis is placed on a short and efficient breakfast.

To start your day like a Parisian, walk to one of the local bakeries or many grocery stores you’ll find on every block like Franprix, Monoprix, G20, or Carrefour. Grab a freshly made apple croissant or a pain au chocolat for €1 and an espresso (“café” in French) for another €1.

Breakfast total: €2

Related: 6 Breakfast pastries in Paris beyond croissants

Rotisserie chicken is a delicious lunch option in Paris. Photo: sk

12 pm. Lunch: Rotisserie chicken

After the powers of the French espresso start to wear off, you’re ready for lunch. This is your time to explore the creativity of French cuisine — the rotisserie chicken. Pop into a local rôtisserie shop or seek out a Franprix (or another supermarket) to pick up a piping hot rotisserie chicken and savory potatoes. At the market, they go for as low as €3.90.

Rotisserie chickens are a way of life for Parisians, and you’ll see many Parisian cafes and restaurants lined with rows of slow-roasted rotisserie chicken, with the potatoes waiting patiently at the bottom of the oven to be seasoned by the juices from the meat.

Of course, these aren’t just ordinary potatoes, these potatoes are also cooked with white wine and seasoned to perfection. One pack can feed two people and the quality is always fresh and tasty. Supplies can be limited, so make sure you visit the store during lunchtime or you might find yourself out of luck!

Lunch total: €3.90

Related: The best affordable set menus in Paris for lunch

3 pm. Snack time: Sweet or savory crêpe

What would be a Parisian menu without the classic sweet or savory crêpe? For this, you have multiple options because Paris is full of crêperies.

Oddly enough, one of the best sweet crêpes that I have had was purchased right next to the Eiffel Tower. When you come out of the Trocadero Metro station on line 6 or line 9, there’s a crêpe stand that sells freshly made crêpes for €3. As you munch on the sweetness of the crêpe, don’t forget to look up, as you’ll have one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower right in front of you.

If you prefer something savory, in the 5th arrondissement, there’s a crêperie that makes the most delicious savory crêpes in Paris. The crêpes at Chez Niko’s on 44 Rue Mouffetard are filled with gooey cheese, grilled onions, seasoned ground beef, tasty potatoes, and much more! This is not a crêpe for the weak. You cannot walk and eat this crêpe at the same time (trust me, I’ve tried).

Afternoon snack total: €3

Sitting down to dinner in Paris. Photo: Geoff P

7 pm. Dinner: Classic French cuisine

After a bit more exploration, you’re ready for dinner. In the 6th arrondissement, there’s a restaurant that serves classic French dishes at bargain prices. Le Petit Olivier (82 rue du Cherche Midi) offers a two-course dinner (and lunch) menu for only €10.

You can choose from a wide variety of authentic French cuisines like escargot, steak, fish dauphinois, duck confit, and many more options that’ll have your tongue wishing you had paid better attention in your high school French class!

Dinner total: €10

One-day total

Total Paris dining budget for one day: €18.90

Do you love dining in Paris? Tell us your secrets on how you save in the comments below.

Proof of the €3.90 roast chicken and potatoes! Photo: Mayowa Ige

The post Paris Cheap Eats: How to eat your way through Paris for less than €20 a day appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Around the rest of Paris, however, it’s good to have a few suggestions for when the urge hits. Prices vary widely but expect to pay €3-7 for a takeaway crepe. Restaurants are a bit pricier, at €8-15 for a savory crepe, though look out for set menus that score you a savory and a sweet for decent prices.

Related: 8 Great meals in Paris for €10 or less

The best Paris crepes to try during your trip

Market Crepes: Top Pick

Head to the Marche des Enfants Rouge for the city’s most over-stuffed crepes at Chez Alain Miam Miam. Alain takes his time making each item fresh, grating the cheese onto a freshly prepared buckwheat crepe and loading it with salad, meat, and fresh herbs. The line can wrap around the market, with waits exceeding thirty minutes, but no one walks away disappointed having spent only €7. If he likes you, he may throw in a few sweet crepes for dessert. Take the portable meal to the nearby Square du Temple and embarrass yourself as you try to get it into your mouth.

Latin Quarter Crepes

If you’re meandering through the Latin Quarter by the Pantheon or you just had a pint in one of the student-friendly bars on rue Mouffetard, head to Au Petit Grec (66, rue Mouffetard, 75005). They heap ingredients onto a wide variety of crepes, including seasonal ones like the Savoyard, which offers a thick mountain of cheese and potatoes. Prices hover around €5-6 for the savories. I’ve never had room for a sweet crepe afterward, but they look just as good.

Marais Crepes

On rue des Rosiers in the Marais neighborhood, right down the street from famed L’As du Falafel, there is a blue façade that serves up traditional crepes called La Droguerie — perfect for something that’s not falafel while strolling rue des Rosiers (56 rue des Rosiesr).

Around the corner, you’ll quickly find Princess Crepes (3, rue des Ecouffes, 75004). Keep your eyes peeled for a storefront that resembles a geisha’s dollhouse topped with whipped cream. This tiny store puts a kitschy, nontraditional, Japanese spin on the crepe — and you won’t break the bank while indulging with each creation somewhere around €5. The ice cream is a welcomed touch.

Restaurant Crepes

For a sit-down crepe experience, everyone always buzzes about Breizh Café (109 rue Vieille du Temple) in the Marais. Don’t get me wrong, they’re excellent, but between needing a reservation and fighting all of the “foodie” tourists that go there, it can get kind of frustrating. And at €12-16, it’s not the cheapest.

You have other choices when it comes to crepe restaurants that don’t require reservations. For example, on Ile Saint Louis the tiny Café Med (77 rue Saint Louis en l’Ile) serves up no-frills crepes that hit the spot. Sure it might not feature high-end ingredients, but a good old ham, cheese, and egg crepe doesn’t need anything fancy.

Several other restaurants serve up crepes with a fork and knife for around €10 or less. On the Right Bank, West Country Girl (6 Passage Saint Abroise) is a favorite for those like baker/writer David Lebovitz. On the Left Bank, La Crepe Rit du Clown (6 rue des Canettes) is an easy go-to when you need a crepe fix. Little Breizh (11 rue Grégoire de Tours) is another solid address with some more gourmet options, right in the heart of Saint Germain, and it’s been on food writer Patricia Wells’ radar.

Sitting down to a buckwheat crepe with a cup of cider for lunch. Photo: Neil Conway

Tips for eating crepes

Remember crepes are savory or sweet. Savory varieties are best served on a buckwheat crepe and filled with ham, cheese, or egg, but each creperie has its own set of concoctions. Some get crazy with fish, potatoes, various cheeses, and Bolognese sauce (students love it). The buckwheat, however, means they are generally gluten-free but don’t depend on it.

Sweet crepes are made of flour and can contain fruit, Grand Marnier, honey, or Nutella among other items. You can even just eat a sweet crepe on its own, or nature, as the French say. Your best bet is just to try several of them and judge for yourself.

Hungry yet? What are your favorite spots in Paris for crepes? Tell us in the comments!

Note: This post was updated in April 2016 with new listings and current information.

The post Paris Crepes: The best crepe stands and creperies appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

It’s a weekly ritual for many Parisians, but there’s no reason that the casual tourist can’t stock up on a few snacks or picnic supplies as well.

Here’s our guide on how to tackle the often intimidating world of outdoor food markets, along with a few of our favorite picks.

Related: 50 Ways to save time and money in Paris

Where and when

There are dozens of markets all over the city on different days of the week. It’s best to consult the city’s official guide for the nearest one or check out Secrets of Paris which has extensive listings. They usually open early in the morning, by 7 am and begin closing around 1 pm, though it all depends on the market.

Many shoppers want to head to the famous Raspail Market or to one of the fancy organic markets — but the prices usually keep me away. Instead, head to some of the more budget-friendly ones.

The most popular markets are the Marché d’Aligre open daily except Monday. The covered market attached to the outdoor stalls houses a beer stand, cheese shops, and a specialty olive oil store. The market on Richard Lenoir by Bastille, open on Thursday and Sunday, is enormous and full of every imaginable food product. Real Cheapos will head to the Belleville market on Tuesday and Friday to brave other Parisians looking for some of the cheapest produce around. Here’s a guide to our favorite

Preparing for a trip to the market

Come to the market ready, armed with the necessities. First, don’t come too hungry or else you’ll want to buy too much. Be smart about it!

Do come with enough bags to carry everything home. Markets are still using small colored plastic bags for individual items, but it’s best to have a larger canvas bag or basket to put everything in afterwards. Having ten plastic bags cutting into your fingers is not the lasting impression we want at the market.

Related: 10 Tips for shopping at Paris markets

Also come with spare change. While some market vendors do accept credit card, most prefer cash. It’s best to have lots of loose change to get as close as possible to the right amount, because busy sellers don’t have time to do lots of math when the clients are queuing — but they are really, really good at fast math.

Market etiquette

So once you arrive at the market, where do you begin? I like to do a few laps to spot the items I want, to check out prices, and to enjoy the atmosphere before I start buying. Some merchants will be cutting up pieces of fruit to sample while others will beckon you to their stalls. Be friendly, but don’t feel pressured to buy anything you don’t want.

Related: 10 French phrases to help you save

When you approach a stall to purchase, don’t immediately touch anything. Most of the cheaper markets (read: any that I go to), allow you to choose your own tomatoes and lettuce. You take what you want in a plastic bag and they weigh it, then you pay for all of your items.

Some sellers, however — and you’ll know which ones I am talking about — are a bit fussier. At these more pristine stands, food will be a bit more orderly and the seller will choose for you. It’s normal, and if you see them putting a bad apple in the bag, you can speak up about it. They’ll weigh it and you’ll pay. Just be careful if you’re not aware of how heavy a kilo is. It’s better to say you want a few handfuls of spinach than a kilogram, which may not end up fitting into your shopping bag.

Buying produce

When it comes to the food, there are things to remember. The French are into seasonal eating, so strawberries in February will be costly since they are coming from a greenhouse somewhere. In the springtime, the market sellers are practically giving them away. So look for items that match the season, and also those that were grown in France, which haven’t traveled so far and are thus probably relatively seasonal.

Related: Shopping success at outdoor food markets in France

Of course some items are never grown locally — limes, pineapples, or bananas — so don’t go crazy. Buy what you need, and as little or as much as you want. You can just buy five apples if that’s all you want from a stand. That’s five less that the sellers will have to worry about at the end of the day.

Fresh seafood at a stand at an outdoor market in Paris. Photo: Erica Firment

Other foods

Markets are also full of stalls selling cheese, seafood, eggs, meats, wine, bread, pastries, prepared foods, even pizzas and coffee. Plan on going for lunch and walk away with a baguette, slices of cheese and ham, and a bit of fresh fruit, but bring an extra bag for a few bottles of wine or packages of olives for later.

Again, there’s no reason to buy ten kilograms of cheese. Just get a little slice of two or three cheeses to experience them — the cheese monger will usually indicate how much he or she is going to cut, and you simply say more or less.

Final tip: Shop like a local!

If you are in Paris for a while (or even a few days), try to create a rapport with market vendors you appreciate. My veggie guys always throw in a few extras since I’m a faithful client, and that bit extra helps make the experience that much more enjoyable. Heading to the market is a much better way to engage with Paris than just stopping by Monoprix – and it’ll end up being cheaper! Now let’s get out there and shop. Here are a few of our favorite places…

A guide to the best markets for Cheapos

Marché Bastille
Métro: Bastille or Richard Lenoir
When: Thursday and Sunday, 7 am -2:30 pm

One of the biggest and most popular markets in the city, this is a must-for anyone who wants to stock up on produce with the rest of Paris. Seemingly endless stalls of fruits, vegetables, and cured meats dominate the market, while several stands selling prepared dishes like fresh paella and sandwiches are great lunch options

Marché d’Aligre
Métro: Ledru-Rollin
12th aar
When: Tuesday – Sunday, 9 am -1 pm

A local market that guidebooks made famous, Marché d’Aligre attracts those interested in a more sedate market experience without sacrificing quality — or quantity for that matter. The unique feature is a covered section with specialty products like flowers, olive oil, and craft beer.

Marché de Belleville
Métro: Belleville
When: Tuesday and Friday, 7 am -2:30 pm

In the culturally diverse Belleville, this market is popular among the neighborhood’s many Asian shoppers. Marché de Belleville may not be the most photogenic market, but the cheap prices and plentiful produce make it a solid option for budget seekers.

Marché Barbès
Métro: La Chapelle
When: Wed,  7 am – 1 pm, Saturday,  7 am – 3pm

Marché Barbès has all of the hustle and bustle of a North African souk, so don’t go bother being too polite. Shoppers shove and snake their way through this dense market where you can find random collections of food items — potentially expired butter, for example — but don’t worry, those are just “sell-by” dates. Right?

Marché Maubert-Mutalité
Métro: Maubert-Mutalité,
When: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday,  7 am – 2:30 pm

The Left Bank has markets, too, and this tiny one, not too far from Notre Dame, is one of the oldest. Go to Marché Maubert-Mutalité for the fresh produce and other random goods hawked here, like scarfs or binoculars. The market’s backdrop is a textbook example of French shopping with a boucherie, charcuterie, poissonnerie, fromagerie, and boulangerie all lined up nice and neatly.

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Whether you’re looking for some vin rouge to go with your dinner or you want a bottle for a friendly picnic, here are some tips to keep in mind for picking an affordable wine.

1. Don’t be thrown off by labels or price tags

Higher prices and pretty labels are not indicative of how much you will like a wine. Bottles at restaurants can cost €20, €40, €60 and beyond.

While the wine will probably be good, less discerning pallets can opt for the much cheaper and equally tasty carafe or pichet of wine. This is a house wine that is served in a small pitcher or glass bottle that comes with none of the frills of a Saint-Emillon or Chateauneuf du Pape, but it will still be a tasty accompaniment to most French meals.

Don’t feel goofy asking for a pichet at lunch or dinner, because even the locals will order up some house red, white, or rosé on a typical evening.

2.  Don’t get too cheapo…

When purchasing a bottle of wine at the grocery store or wine store, even Cheapos have a limit. Any bottle under €3 is rarely something that you’d want to drink, more often reserved for cooking or wild student parties. Stick to the €5-10 range to ensure that the wine won’t make you wince.

Appellation Medoc Contrôlée. Photo: Dominic Lockyer

3. “AOC”? A-OK!

Look for the AOC, or appellation d’origine contrôlée on any bottle you purchase. This indicates that the wine is a credible Bordeaux, Burgundy, or whatever other region (origine) it may claim. Without the AOC, there is no way to know if the wine was made by a professional or from some guy down the street in his bathtub.

Still, if you go to a wine bistrot like Le Verré Volé, many of their wines don’t have a AOC. However, you can be sure that the specialists in the store have visited the vineyards and know exactly where that wine is coming from.

4. Think inside the box, but outside the jug

Box is OK, but plastic jugs might be pushing it. Box wine is not quite trendy, but is accepted with wine stores like Nicolas offering up affordable varieties.

The liter-sized plastic jugs at the supermarkets, however, are not to be trusted. Take a tip from someone who may or may not have been there – it’s not worth testing unless you want your wine to double as a paint-remover.

5.  Know when to say “non”

If you taste a wine and it doesn’t suit your tastes, hopefully you didn’t buy a whole bottle of it at a restaurant. That said, if a wine tastes particularly offensive, with smells and tastes that seem unfit for any mouth, it may be corked, which means the wine has been spoiled in the bottling or aging process.

While rare, receiving a corked glass or bottle of wine can happen, and if you are really unable to drink the wine, ask your bartender or server what they think and they will usually be honest with you.

6. Supermarket wine is not taboo

With aisles devoted to all sorts of regional French wines, Parisian supermarkets like Monoprix and Franprix are acceptable places to buy a bottle for dinner or a picnic.

If you want to ask questions or are looking for something specific, however, head to a wine shop, or caviste. Nicolas or Le Repaire de Bacchus are two such chains found all over the city. Additionally, there are countless independent wine shops and bistros that will be happy to help you find what you’re seeking.

Your wine questions or advice?

What other questions do you have about wine in France? Have some advice to share with our readers? Join the conversation in our comments section!

Also in our guide: Heading to Paris soon and looking for advice on great affordable sleeps? Our editors have hunted down the best hotel deals, all visited, inspected and reviewed by EuroCheapo. Read more in our Paris guide.

Note: This post was updated on September 30, 2015 with new links, photos and information.

The post France: 6 wine buying tips for Cheapos appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Depending on where you are in Paris and how nice the restaurant is, you can find prix fixe lunch menus ranging from around €14 all the way up to €40. You can also encounter a range of quality—it’s possible to find a great meal for under €20, as well as a lackluster one for much more.

Here are some tried-and-true prix fixe options that are guaranteed to be delicious as well as affordable.

Robert et Louise: €14 for 2 courses

64, Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003
3rd arrondissement
Website
Metro: Saint Paul or Hotel de Ville

Nestled into the picturesque Rue Vieille du Temple in the trendy Marais, Robert et Louise is probably one of the best lunchtime deal around. Choose from a variety of appetizers like escargot or sausage and two featured main courses like beef ribs or duck confit for the incredibly reasonable price of €14. Then walk around the Marais to digest!

Related: A Cheapo Day in the Marais

Le Pré Verre is one of the best deals in Paris. Photo: Ming-yen

Le Pré Verre: €26 for 2 courses, wine & coffee

8 rue Thénard 75005
5th arrondissement
Tel: +33143545947
Metro: Maubert-Mutualité or Cluny-La Sorbonne

In the lovely Latin Quarter, Le Pré Verre boasts one of the best prix fixe deals in town. For €26, you’ll get a starter, a main, a glass of wine and a coffee to finish it off. The chef here is praised for his work and ever-changing creative menu options.

A La Bière: €14.50 for 3 courses

CLOSED

104 ave Simon-Bolivar, 75019
19th arrondissement
Tel: +33142398325
Metro: Bolivar or Colonel Fabien

Update: Unfortunately, the restaurant has closed.

Chez Marie Louise: €14 for 3 courses

11 Rue Marie et Louise, 75010
10th arrondissement
Website
Metro: Goncourt

Come to Chez Marie Louise for a tasty three-course meal and then have a stroll around the lovely neighboring Canal St-Martin. There are a couple tables outside if you’d like to enjoy the weather, otherwise, the inside is cozy and sunny. Food is classically French with a modern twist.

Related: Cheap hotels in Canal-St-Martin

Café Constant: €17 for a worthy splurge

139 rue Saint-Dominique 75007
7th arrondissement
Website
Metro: École Militaire

Okay, so Café Constant is a little more expensive than the other selections, but it’s well worth it. Spend a few extra euros for a truly amazing and classically French meal. You can choose a main course with a starter or dessert. With romantic decor, an amazing location near the Eiffel Tower and decadent food, this is the ultimate prix fixe experience.

The post Paris Lunch Deals: 5 tasty and affordable set menus appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.