Great sandwiches at a tasty price
It’s simply not possible to pass by the window of this forest green-painted shop in Batignolles without stopping. Next stop: Garni. The first thing you see when you enter is the open-plan kitchen. In it is Alexis, who’ll make you a gourmet sandwich in no time. Next to the counter is Elsa, the brains behind the desserts. You have lots of options for your sandwich. The special of the day, which is always made with seasonable ingredients, or the now-famous chicken sandwich with mayonnaise and potato. It’s all made with ultra-local products: the bread comes from BOULOM, in the 18th arrondissement, while the chicken is free range, from the outskirts of Paris. The best bit is, the chicken stays juicy because it’s left in the sauce after roasting.
📍 Garni, 35 Rue la Condamine, 75017 Paris. Allow EUR 13.50 for your lunchtime special.
Noise and big tables
In Pigalle, Montparnasse, the Grands Boulevards or Étienne Marcel, the places to eat are Pigalle, Chartier and Pharamond. These are all brasseries where you’ll eat well, talk loudly and drink plenty – all for relatively little. For a starter, main and dessert, without a drink, reckon on paying between EUR 12 and 18. Pretty good value, eh? All the more so as the dishes served are all fairly hearty. Leg of chicken, bœuf bourguignon (stew), sausage and mash, pork shoulder, shepherd’s pie, not forgetting egg mayonnaise and French onion soup – you certainly won’t leave hungry. Take a seat at one of the big tables in these establishments and enjoy your meal served in double-quick time, cheek-by-jowl with your fellow diners. The best encounters always start over a nice saucy meal, you know!
📍 Bouillon Pigalle, 22 Bd de Clichy, 75018 Paris, France.
📍 Bouillon Chartier, 7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris, France.
📍 Bouillon Pharamond, 24 Rue de la Grande Truanderie, 75001 Paris, France.
Parisian greasy spoons
Do you know what ‘bouis-bouis’ are? These greasy spoon-type restaurants, with just a few tables, serve generous helpings of local or international cuisine at affordable prices. If you like French-Vietnamese food, try Le Drapeau de la Fidelité. A sign on the traditional façade of this little eatery in the 15th arrondissement invites you to ‘Have a little drink, it’s lovely’. So, step inside! At the counter, you can have a drink or read a newspaper, while the locals at the tables behind you enjoy their bo buns. When a seat becomes free, settle in and place your order. The owner himself will come to serve you your phô or caramelised pork. And all for just EUR 6. Bon appétit!
📍 Le drapeau de la fidélité, 21 Rue Copreaux, 75015 Paris, France.
Staying with the Asian theme, head for Rue de Chabrol, in the 10th arrondissement. Here, you’ll find just three tables and the signature dish of IKA: Japanese curry. And what a curry! Behind the kitchens, full of attractively stacked pots, pans and plates, you’ll find Aki, the boss and head chef. And in just ten minutes, your curry will be ready: whether it’s vegetarian, chicken, pork or even octopus, on occasion, you’ll love this sauce-covered rice dish for lunch. It’s like taking a trip to Japan and back!
📍 IKA, 26 Rue de Chabrol, 75010 Paris. The house speciality, Japanese curry, costs between EUR 11 and 14.
Italy at a price you can afford
Did you know that more pizza is eaten in France than in Italy? Paris knows it, which is why it has seen dozens and dozens of pizzerias spring up year after year. Napolitana, Romana, whatever – in Paris, pizza is sacred. Sacred and cheap! Without further ado, make your way to one of our three favourite restaurants: Popolare, part of the Big Mamma Group, in the 17th arrondissement; Guillaume Grasso in the15th; or Il Brigante, for a pizza Romana, in the 18th. Once you’ve chosen your establishment, take a seat and order the unmissable Margherita. There are two reasons why you should choose this pizza over any other. First, it’s one of the cheapest, often costing less than EUR 12 in Paris. Second, the fact it’s made from good, simple, authentic ingredients means you can really judge the quality of the pizzeria. If the Margherita’s good, there’s a great chance all the other pizzas will be, too!
📍 Guillaume Grasso, Margherita pizzas for EUR 12
📍 Popolare, Rue Réaumur 111, 75002 Paris, France. Margherita pizzas for EUR 12
📍 Il Brigante, Rue du Ruisseau 14, 75018 Paris, France. Margherita pizzas for EUR 9.99
Street food in Paris
Like in many other European cities, street food is a favourite in Paris. Just wander around the Marais district for a few minutes and you’ll soon notice all the people eating on the go. To join them, head to L’As du Fallafel, a true Parisian institution. In this originally Jewish neighbourhood, you’ll be served a soft pitta filled with moist and herby chickpea balls, freshly fried, crunchy red cabbage, grilled aubergines for that touch of smokiness and a sauce that will set your taste buds tingling. To enjoy it even more, eat it on the go in the middle of the street, just like everyone else!
📍 L’As du Fallafel, Rue des Rosiers 34, 75004 Paris, France. Expect to pay around EUR 10 for your falafel pitta.
If you thought Paris was expensive, here’s something to (almost) prove you wrong. There are so many places where you can eat well, discreetly, for a modest price. There’s just one condition: take the train to Paris and follow our address book to the letter!