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.

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.

Here are a few things to consider cracking open the piggy bank for during a trip to the French capital. For just a little bit more, you can get much better quality when it comes to these Paris essentials:

1. Baguettes

Skip the grocery store baguettes, please! While some are passable, few can stand up to the real thing. Go to a bakery—a real one, not the chain Paul—and order a baguette. The Monoprix version or the version that you heat up in your oven may seem enticing at 60-80 cents, but spare yourself.

Do as the locals do and splurge on a baguette à la tradition, or just “une tradition”. It’ll be more expensive at around €1.20, but you won’t feel like you’ve been cheated out of those extra centimes.

Related: David Lebovitz reviews Paris’ best pastry shops

2. Coffee

Cafés are wonderful places to hang out, chat with friends, and most importantly people watch. But the coffee often just isn’t stellar. Spend a few extra cents to discover the coffee that has put Paris on the map as a coffee-lover’s play land. You might have to fight a few hipsters and cough up €2.50 instead of going for the super cheap €1 espressos, but consider it a treat.

Names like HolyBelly, Caféothèque, Fondation Café and Telescope are just some of the quality coffee shops to try.

3. Souvenirs

Does anyone really need an Eiffel Tower keychain? OK, it’s €1, and maybe it is kind of adorable, but if you’re bringing someone back a gift, or you want to bring yourself something truly Parisian, you may have to shell out a few more coins.

Consider gourmet chocolate from French chocolatier Jacques Genin (€11) packaged in a reusable metal box or French praslines from Mazet (€4-10) for something a bit different.

4. Meals

The daily menu at a café or bistro is usually a steal, and with a plat du jour (dish of the day) around €10-15, often with a starter, it’ll be affordable. But know what you’re getting into, since many times such places are simply reheating prepared or frozen meals.

If you want a really good meal, main dishes that start around €15-20 (or more) will be largely different from those starting in the single digits. I love the cheap meals at Chartier, in the bustling old-world dining room, but it’s not where I go for a good meal. My favorite restaurants have plats that hover around the €15-20 range, and the difference is palpable.

Related: 5 dishes to try before you leave Paris

5. Chocolate and candy

Big name chocolate chains don’t disappoint, but once you realize that shops like Jeff de Bruges or DeNeuville are everywhere, they become less special. Spend a bit more on shops like Patrick Roger or Henri LeRoux in St-Germain for some really exceptional chocolates and candies—just maybe buy fewer.

The charming Hotel St-Andre des Arts is located in the heart of the 6th arrondissement. Photo: EuroCheapo

6. Hotels in a better neighborhood

It seems like our mantra for Paris, but location really does mean everything. Stay somewhere central and you won’t waste time taking the Metro, even if it costs a bit more. Fortunately we’ve found the clean, welcoming, and cheap hotels in the inner districts of Paris, so there’s no reason to go down to the tip of the 14th arrondissement for your hotel.

Related: Cheap Paris hotels with great locations

7. Guided Tours

The various free walking tours of Paris are all good options for backpackers and those looking for an overview of the city—though remember it’s not really free, as you’ll need to tip your guide.

But for travelers looking for a more in-depth view of the city, or for a more specialized experience, look up a tour company for it and allot a bit of money to having a real guided tour. A company like Paris by Mouth has food specialists who can give foodies the tour they’ve dreamed of—it’ll just cost a bit more.

8. Full-price museum (as opposed to free days)

Even if it’s free, don’t wait until the first Sunday of the month to go to the Louvre or the Orsay, please! The lines are abhorrent. Is saving €12 really worth spending over an hour in line? Time is money, people…

Worth a splurge?

What do you find is worth splurging on when you visit Paris? Leave a comment below!

The post Paris: 8 ways you can vastly improve your trip by paying just a bit more appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

What’s left? All of the tourists, visiting Paris’s major destinations in hoards, and eating at restaurants targeted towards them specifically. This means that unfortunately, many of the hole-in-the-wall, local-frequented restaurants, bars and cafes that Cheapos love have closed up shop for the month. You might be disappointed to find that many of the best boulangeries and cheap bistrots in Paris have tacked a paper note on their doors—”fermé pour les vacances“.

So what’s a thrifty traveler to do, without begrudgingly paying the inflated prices of tourist hotspots? Don’t worry. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best spots that remain open in Paris during the month of August. Head to these spots to avoid disappointment and frustration!

Related: The pros and cons of visiting Paris in August

On the Go: L’as du Fallafel

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: L’as du Fallafel is incredible. And, lucky for you, it’s open during August. No walk through the Marais is complete without a tasty, super cheap falafel sandwich.

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

Classic French: Bistrot des Victoires

One of my personal favorites: an old-school French bistro with all the classic dishes, most hovering around €10. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to the Paris of yesteryear without breaking the bank.

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

Delicious Asian: Le Petit Cambodge

Sometimes you need to take a break from French food, and this is the perfect place to do so. Delectable Cambodian dishes are served up here for less than €20. A favorite of locals, there’s usually a long line at Le Petit Cambodge, so now’s your chance to secure a table quickly!

20 Rue Alibert
10th arrondissement
+33 1 42 45 80 88
Metro: Goncourt (Line 11)
Website

Wine Bar: Le Verre Volé

A classic Canal St. Martin joint with charming, eclectic decor, a great wine selection, and yummy plates. They are open only for dinner Monday-Thursday, with lunch and dinner service on the weekends from August 11th-24th.

67 Rue de Lancry
10th arrondissement
+33 1 48 03 17 34
Metro: Jacques Bonsergent (Line 5)
Website

Cocktail Bar: Le Mary Celeste

I have three words for you: one euro oysters. Yes, you read that correctly. Le Mary Celeste is a hip bar in the Marais with a great selection of cocktails and, yes, €1 oysters.

1 Rue Commines
3rd arrondissement
+33 9 80 72 98 83
Metro: Saint-Sébastien – Froissart (Line 8)
Website

Related: 5 summer drinks to try in Paris

Great Terrace: Les Mondes Bohèmes

If you’re willing to make the trek out to the 20th arrondissement, you’ll be delighted to find this gem of a terrace. Les Mondes Bohèmes is like a secret garden—a magical spot with twinkling lampion lights and dreamy decor. And get this—during happy hour, the cocktails are only €6 and the beers €3.

31 Rue des Vignoles
20th arrondissement
+33 1 43 48 69 38
Metro: Buzenval (Line 9)
Website

Boulangerie: Maison Kayser

Sometimes in Paris, the best thing to do for lunch is to just grab a baguette from the nearest boulangerie. Unfortunately, in August, you may find yourself wandering around in circles looking for one that’s open. You can count on Maison Kayser, a chain of pretty decent boulangeries that are scattered throughout Paris, and open for all of August.

14 Rue Monge
5th arrondissement
+33 1 44 07 17 81
Metro: Maubert–Mutualité (Line 10)

87 Rue Assas
6th arrondissement
33 1 43 54 92 31
Metro: Vavin (Line 4)

10 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie
6th arrondissement
+33 1 43 25 71 60
Metro: Odéon (Line 4, 1o)

… or just buy Poilâne bread at the supermarket

Save yourself the stress of hunting for a bakery, and just head to the nearest supermarket. As Bryan has already noted, Poilâne bread is amazingly delicious: They’re the massive slices of sourdough bread you’ll get with any tartine order in Paris. Luckily, you can find them in just about every big grocery store!

Fromagerie: Go to a Market

Good luck finding a gourmet cheese store that’s open in August. I’m sure it’s doable but, instead of all that hassle, I recommend you just find an open air food market (there are plenty), where you will surely be able to buy some delicious French cheese.

Good Coffee: Strada Cafe

Most of the gourmet coffee shops in Paris close up for holiday in August, so thank goodness Strada is upon to feed your craving for fancy coffee!

94 Rue du Temple
3rd arrondissement
+33 1 44 61 09 28
Metro: Rambuteau (Line 11)

Related: New Cafes serving up tasty drinks from talented baristas

Parisian Cafe: Café de la Paix

If you’ve been dreaming of sitting in on the terrace of a cafe in Paris, reading and taking it all in, don’t worry, you can do this even in August. Café de la Paix, a staple of Parisian café culture, is open for all of August.

5 Place de l’Opéra
9th arrondissement
+33 1 40 07 36 36
Metro: Opera (Lines 3, 7, 8)
Website

The post Paris: Favorite cheapo restaurants and cafes that remain open in August appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Instead, let’s discuss knowing which dishes are worth trying in Paris, no matter what restaurant you choose. Sushi, pizza and burgers abound in Paris, but here are five dishes that you may not get back home quite as easily. Look for them on the menu and give these classics a try!

1. Duck confit

Duck leg cooked in its own fat? Done. You can thank the fat-loving southwest of France for this dish. Usually served up with roasted potatoes, this is a staple of many Parisian bistros and cafés, and it’s hard not to love. Even the cheapest ones are pretty good. Look for confit de canard on the menu.

2. Escargot

These slimy little buggers are made entirely appetizing with some butter and maybe some garlic and parsley. They are much easier to eat than Julia Roberts would have us think in Pretty Woman. While seemingly kitsch, snails are still something to try when in Paris as a starter, just to see what all the fuss is about.

3. Beef bourguignon

Your mother may have made Julia Child’s version of this iconic beef stew. While Amy Adams tried so desperately to recreate the dish in the movie about Child, the real thing isn’t quite as tricky to make. You’ll find versions of it on menus all across town, so leave any preconceived notions at home.

4. Steak tartare

Instead of getting cooked beef, why not just get the fresher version? Steak tartare is raw ground beef mixed with various seasonings and a raw egg. Sounds gross but that doesn’t stop people from ordering it—though I wouldn’t suggest getting it at just any café since quality ingredients are important for a raw dish like this one. Many tourists gripe about not being able to get meat well-done, so why even bother? Just go with the flow on this one.

5. Foie gras

If you’re from California, you might feel like you’re breaking the law, but foie gras is still very much appreciated in Paris. Fatty duck or goose liver may not be grown in the most humane way (what really is force-feeding anyway?) but the result is divine. Served with toast, maybe a bit of jam and some coarse salt, it’s the perfect way to start a meal or to indulge with a glass of wine. Just don’t think too much about it.

The post Dining in Paris: Five meals to try before you leave town appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Much has been written about this inexpensive joint, with mostly favorable reviews. Others are not so convinced, claiming that Chartier’s beautiful interiors mask its unremarkable cuisine. It’s time for EuroCheapo to weigh in on the debate.

Getting there and getting in

Le Boullion Chartier is located in the 9th arrondissement, in the Grands Boulevards neighborhood. You can take Metro lines eight and nine to the Grands Boulevards station that’s just around the corner. Once you arrive, you’ll surely be greeted by a line of Parisians and fellow travelers (remind you of somewhere?). This line moves surprisingly quickly, and soon you’ll be welcomed through the antique wooden doors into the majestic, busy dining hall. Don’t be shocked if you’re placed at a table next to other diners—this mixing and mingling is part of the charm.

How to order a memorable meal

We recommend starting with the house wine, which will be cheap and handpicked by the chefs.

Starters range from €1.80-6.80, and you can choose from classics like Oeuf dur mayonnaise (hard-boiled eggs with mayonnaise), Salade frisée aux lardons (salad with bacon), and even escargots. The portions will be small by American standards, but generous by French eating habits.

Most main courses are around €10, which is shockingly cheap for Paris. You can choose from all of the classic dishes you might have dreamed about trying, like Steak frites, Côte d’agneau grillée (grilled lamb), and even Tête de veau (calf’s head). Side note: Chartier is not a vegetarian-friendly place, so if you don’t eat meat, you might want to have a bite to eat before and just enjoy the ambiance.

For dessert, finish with fromage. A selection of cheeses are available for less than €3 each. If you’re still hungry, all the classic French sweets are also offered, like Baba au rhum (rum cake) and Pêche melba (peach melba), all for €4 or less.

Tip: Order all your food at once, because it will be hard to get your busy server’s attention after the first encounter. Dressed in black bow ties and white shirts, they will jot down your order directly onto your paper tablecloth.

Everything is classic at Chartier, right down to the waiters’ uniforms. Photo: Sophoco

Grading the food and experience

The fare at Chartier is simple and classic, with no-frills. Don’t expect a five-star meal here or beautiful presentation. You will receive perfectly acceptable dishes; they will not blow your mind, and they won’t be the most delicious food you try in Paris.

However, this restaurant is all about preserving the Belle-Epoque style dining experience, including the dishes. So come for the experience and the wonderful selection of traditional French foods, not the originality. At Chartier, you can afford to have the French meal you always wanted, with wine, a starter, a main, cheese and dessert, all without breaking the bank.

A final thought

We believe that le Boullion Chartier is the perfect way to start a trip to Paris. A meal here can be a great introduction to French food, French restaurants and French servers without the seemingly obligatory steep prices. Get a taste for authentic dishes á l’ancienne, and then you’ll be ready to dine out in France with confidence.

Le Boullion Chartier
7 rue du Faubourg Montmartre|
9th arrondissement
01 47 70 86 29
Métro: Grands Boulevards (Lines 8 & 9)
Bus: L74
www.bouillon-chartier.com

Check out more Paris restaurants on EuroCheapo for the best deals and food around the city.

The post Traditional Parisian dining on a budget: The classic Chez Chartier appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.