Dining in Paris: Where to Find the Best Value

by  Connie Hum | Oct 12, 2017
Connie Hum
Connie Hum

Paris, the city known the world over as the city of romance, culture, and fashion is also famously synonymous with fine dining. After all, it’s not the foodie capital of Europe without reason. There is no shortage of dining options, between the Michelin-starred restaurants and inviting sidewalk bistros and cafes, for the 20 million visitors each year. To truly get the most out of Parisian cuisine, and not break the bank, look to these best-value, high-quality dining spots for your next culinary adventure in Paris.

Connie Hum

Savarin La Table

Since its opening in April 2017, Savarin La Table has been a hit with locals and other foodies in the know. The 25-seater restaurant offers exquisite and elevated French dishes with a superb 3-course prix fixe menu. Lunch sets you back just 35 euros (or $41) per person and the dinner prix fixe is 50 euros (or $59). Both are a bargain given the high quality ingredients, the artful presentation, and the truly masterful skill of chef Mehdi Kebboul in the kitchen. Sommelier Yusuf Beziroglu handles the intimate restaurant space with grace and charm, making this an all-around fantastic dining experience you won’t want to miss. (34 Rue de Bourgogne, +33 9 86 59 19 67, reservations required through La Fourchette, lunch and dinner served Mondays through Fridays, Saturday dinners, closed Sundays.)

Connie Hum

Septime

One of the most coveted and award-winning restaurant in the Paris dining scene these days, Septime is well worth any and all effort required to snag a reservation. This means calling the restaurant exactly when it opens -- set your alarm if need be -- precisely three weeks ahead of your desired reservation date. The beautifully open dining room is the perfect setting for chef-owner Bertrand Grébaut’s innovative, contemporary, and ever-changing tasting menu of unique flavors and textures. The 7-course dinner is a small splurge at 80 euros (or $94), plus 55 euros (or $64) if you want the excellent wine pairing, but the 4-course lunch for 42 euros (or $50) is great value for a quality French meal of this caliber. (80 Rue de Charonne, +33 1 43 67 38 29, reservations required by phone, currently not accepting online reservations, closed Saturdays and Sundays.)

Les Arlots

The scene at this tiny 28-seater bistro near Gare du Nord is exactly what we expect from an authentic French bistro: a no-frills, intimate space packed with groups of friends and lovers dining over a rambunctious din of laughter and conversation. The menu items of delicious contemporary and classic French comfort foods are prepared with precision and skill, all at reasonable prices between 17 and 20 euros (under $23). (136 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière; +33 1 42 82 92 01, reservations highly suggested, closed Sundays and Mondays.)

Connie Hum

Frenchie Bar à Vins

It’s near impossible to secure a dinner reservation at Gregory Marchand’s Frenchie restaurant, and the vocal frustrations of disappointed would-be diners have paid off with the opening of the instantly popular Frenchie Bar à Vins. Cramped and crowded, the bustling wine bar still captures a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for a casual meal of flavorful, inventive small plates, ranging between 9 to 23 euros (or $10-$30), and stellar wines as amazing as anything you’ll find across the street at Frenchie. Arrive ahead of its opening time of 6:30 p.m. if you’re not up for waiting during peak dining hours. (9 Rue de Nil, +33 1 40 39 96 19, no reservations accepted, closed Saturdays and Sundays.)

Garance

Former L'Arpège alums, Guillaume Muller and Guillaume Iskandar, opened Garance to critical acclaim and the accolades continue at this sleek and modern bistro thanks in part to their philosophy of featuring only the best ingredients for maximum flavors in their generously portioned dishes. You can easily spend a hefty amount on a meal at this one-Michelin star restaurant, but opt for the 39 euro (or $46) prix-fixe lunch menu to get a tasting without the price tag. (34 Rue Saint-Dominique, +33 1 45 55 27 56, reservations recommended through La Fourchette, closed Saturdays and Sundays.)

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