French food is renowned throughout the world, but in France it might blow your
budget a little. Stick to the set menus, order tap water not bottled water, learn
the rules for cafè drinking and enjoy some find food and wine.
PARIGIAN SPECIALTIES
Hot dogs - baguette with a frankfurter, melted cheese and Dijon mustard.
Nutella crepes by the Seine river in winter
Roasted chestnuts in winter
CAFES
See our guide to cafè drinking in France for more tips. Avoid tourist
areas like Sacre Coeur, Opéra, the Effiel Tower, the Notre Dame and anything
on the Champs-Elysée and Boulevard St-Germain near Saint-Germain-des-Près.
You can pay up to €3 for an espresso here even at the bar. Cafè is
normally just €1. Cafès are where life in France takes place. It's
a social gathering point of all society, it's also a great place to get a free
bathroom stop and use a public telephone.
RESTAURANTS
See our guide to eating for how to order in restaurants and tips for budget eating.
The best tip is to eat the fixed menu (prix fixe).
For Israeli food go to the old Jewish neighbourhood, Rue des Rosiers (metro Saint
Paul).
Ethnic restaurants line the Rue de la Roquette and Rue de Lappe near the Bastille.
In the Latin quarter Greek, North African and Middle Eastern restaurants are
common.
For Creperies go to 20 Rue d'Odessa and Rue du Montparnasse
SUPERMARKETS
Supermarkets are the best place to buy cheap wine. Try the Auchan supermarket
at the Gare Routiere Internationalie. It has five asiles of wine.
Ed l'Epicier (Ed the grocer), 37 Rue Lacèpedè (metro Monge, Latin
Quarter), closed Sunday. The cheapest in Paris
Monoprix, 21 Avenue de L'Opèra (metro Pyramides), closed Sunday.
BARS
Caveau de la Huchette, 5 Rue del la Huchette (metro Saint Michel). A favourite
with live jazz. Open 9.30pm to 2am.
Au Relais des Arts, corner rue Monge and rue Daubenton (metro Censier-Daubenton).
Cheap beer, free peanuts and free bar stools. Happy hour 6-8pm.
The Hideout, 11, rue du Pot de Fer, (metro Place Monge). A popular Irish pub
near the Young & Happy Hostel.
Café Oz, 18 rue St Denis (métro/RER Châtelet) and 184, rue
St Jacques (RER Luxembourg). Cold beer and Australian football.
