{"id":52647,"date":"2017-10-17T15:03:21","date_gmt":"2017-10-17T15:03:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=52647"},"modified":"2026-11-11T10:31:20","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T10:31:20","slug":"cheap-eats-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/cheap-eats-paris\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Sensational Cheap Eats In Paris For Every Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve lived in Paris on and off for several years now, trying to spend as much time as I can soaking up everything this magical city has to offer. I may not know the secrets to the city\u2019s finest dining institutions as a freelancer and blogger on a budget, but I do know how to eat my way around Paris on the cheap. In fact, I think I\u2019m approaching expert status. From flaky croissants for under two euros to authentic Indian and Asian food (plus the essential hot chocolate to fill your belly on a grey Paris day), these things I know well and I’m sharing some of my secrets to the tastiest cheap eats in Paris below.<\/p>\n

The short answer:<\/strong> the cheapest food in Paris is still at the boulangerie, where a croissant at a neighbourhood bakery costs about \u20ac1.20 to \u20ac1.60<\/strong>. After that, the best cheap eats are falafel on Rue des Rosiers, a market picnic, and a sit-down French meal at Bouillon Chartier, where mains cost \u20ac8.70 to \u20ac11.80<\/strong> (prices checked November 2026). Paris isn’t a cheap city, and as one Hostelworld guest who stayed in Paris put it, “Euros are expensive for Australian conversion rate.” Eating like a local is how you keep the bill down. For the rest of your trip, our Paris travel guides<\/a> have you covered.<\/p>\n

1. Bakeries, the cheapest food in Paris<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7@ola_volina<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The cheapest way to fill your tummy in France is always at the boulangerie<\/em>. Pop into one of Paris\u2019 best bakeries for a flaky croissant (about \u20ac1.20 to \u20ac1.60 at a neighbourhood boulangerie in November 2026, more near the big sights), pain au chocolat or baguette. Pick up a sandwich for around five euros or choose from the always impressive spread of beautiful sweet treats in the cabinet, pointing at the one that catches your eye. Some of my (and Paris’) favourite bakeries include Du Pain et Des Id\u00e9es<\/a> (closed at weekends) and Libert\u00e9 in the 10th arrondissement, A la Fl\u00fbte Gana in the 20th and Bl\u00e9 Sacr\u00e9 in the 12th.<\/p>\n

2. Crepes<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7@stephkskilton<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

As a vegetarian, French cr\u00eapes are one of the cheap eats in Paris I can easily get on board with. For under 10 euros, you can sit down in some rather lovely crep\u00earies to some of the most mouth-watering meals in the country. At Breizh Caf\u00e9 I\u2019ve devoured the sweet vanilla butter ones. At Lulu La Nantaise I\u2019ve savoured every bite of the spinach, egg and ch\u00e8vre savoury variety. At Cr\u00eaperie Broc\u00e9liande I\u2019ve opted for the more classic cheese and onion confit cr\u00eape. For an even more affordable cr\u00eape, find a takeaway or emporter<\/em> window and walk around Paris with your treat. La Droguerie, which has moved from the Marais to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis in the 10th, is great for this, as are the cr\u00eaperies around the Gare Montparnasse for authentic Breton cr\u00eapes.<\/p>\n

3. Falafels<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7@assiettesparisiennes<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Paris is filled with great falafel shops. Most Parisians would agree though that the very best falafel in the city is to be found along the Rue des Rosiers. It\u2019s an all-out war between L’As\u00a0du\u00a0Fallafel, Chez Hanna, King\u00a0Falafel\u00a0Palace and MI-VA-MI, who all sit within metres of each other on a foodie street in the Marais. For the record, I\u2019m an L’As du Fallafel<\/a> supporter but I will say, they\u2019re all pretty incredible. Go for a takeaway pitta rather than a sit-down plate to keep the cost down, and expect a queue at lunchtime. If you\u2019re looking to go a step up from these falafel shops, find some amazing authentic Israeli street food nearby at Miznon, where you can sit down and gorge on the good stuff.<\/p>\n

4. Hot chocolate<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7@rachelcharis<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

While not exactly a cheap eat, France as a country prides itself on its hot chocolate, the best of which has to be from Angelina. Upon trying this thick, creamy concoction with just the right amount of sugar for the first time, I immediately felt the widest smile of my life spread across my face. It\u2019s just that good. Angelina has two locations, the busy, more formal cafe near the Louvre where you\u2019ll often have to line up to get your hands on this chocolatey goodness, and the takeaway only shop on the Left Bank where there\u2019s never a line.<\/p>\n

5. Picnics with market food<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7<\/em>@thetravellinglight<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Parisians (and the French in general) care about food, which is why you have to get into the right mindset to find the best cheap eats in Paris. Market shopping is practically a sport here: finding the best vegetables, cheeses, meats and fruits one by one, consulting with your supplier in detail on the origins, production process, taste, age. I\u2019ve seen it all go down at the markets. So needless to say, the spread on offer at the markets around Paris is incredible, and often much cheaper than supermarket offerings. Do a little research to find the best market near you or near a park that you\u2019d like to picnic in. Check the market days and times and pick out everything you need for a French picnic at a low price. My favourite markets are the March\u00e9 D\u2019Aligre for the best quality to price ratio and the Belleville markets on the Rue des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es on a Sunday for the cheap prices and proximity to Parc de Belleville and Parc des Buttes Chaumont.<\/p>\n

6. Fondue<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7@leilavictoriam<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Let me tell you about fondue\u2026it\u2019s basically a boiling pot of melted cheese mixed with white wine, cooking continuously over a little burner on your table, waiting for you to dip your French baguette in and eat. It\u2019s incredible and cheap – if you find the right place! I recommend Le Chalet Savoyard for fondue and Les Fondus de la Raclette in several locations for fondue\u2019s equally delicious close cousin, raclette, as well as traditional fondue.<\/p>\n

7. Burgers<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7<\/em>@moniqueargus<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Paris has a burger addiction which I fully support, meaning the city is filled with great burgers. From the classics found on the menus of pretty much every French bistro to the hipster joints serving those with a modern twist, Paris has the burger of your dreams – and usually for around 10 euros. Hipster favourites include Paris New York (vegetarians drool over their deep fried mushroom and cheese patty), Blend and Frenchie To Go. Meanwhile, Big Fernand rates high too for its burgers filled with regional French specialities and Le Ruisseau is the place to go for a fancier and very French version of the American classic. If you’re looking for cheap eats in Paris, look no further than the nearest bistro for a quick burger fix.<\/p>\n

8. Indian<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7<\/em>@lord.copper<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

I was pleased to accompany a friend to Little India in Paris recently. This friend had personally tried each and every one of the Indian restaurants surrounding the Gare du Nord train station over his eight years living in Paris. Paris has its own piece of India here, full of very authentic, cheap Indian food. This area is great if you\u2019re looking for a break from all the French food or if you\u2019re a vegetarian or vegan needing an easy, cheap eating option. Saravanaa Bhavan and Sangeetha are great for vegetarians and Muniyandi Vilas has incredible Sri Lankan food as well as Indian dosa pancakes but really, you just need to follow your nose and keep your eyes open for the more popular restaurants to know what\u2019s good here.<\/p>\n

9. Asian<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7<\/em>@thetravellinglight<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Paris also has its own little Japan set up all along the Rue Saint-Anne right in the centre of the city, tucked in amongst some of the city\u2019s oldest and grandest buildings like Madeleine and the Op\u00e8ra Garnier. Noodles, sushi, teppanyaki plus a few Korean restaurants thrown in the mix too will keep anyone on a budget very full and happy. My friends and I always end up at Higuma for their Chinese\/Japanese noodle soups, Kunitoraya for udon or Aki for Japanese curry. As with the Gare du Nord\u2019s little India though, keep your eyes open for the more popular restaurants and you can\u2019t go wrong in this area. Note: Come earlyish (i.e. before 8pm) or be prepared to wait in line for a table at the best restaurants along this stretch.<\/p>\n

10. Street food markets<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7<\/em>@thetravellinglight<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Whether it’s cheap eats in Paris (or anywhere in the world for that matter), what traveller or student on a budget doesn\u2019t know to look for street food? As a city with plenty of both students and travellers, Paris has some great street food options. Ground Control<\/a> has a tasty array of some of the city\u2019s coolest restaurants, setting up stalls in their outdoor space whilst the March\u00e9 des Enfants Rouges in the Marais has a great mix of cheap food including Moroccan tagine, burgers, sandwiches and Japanese noodles. The best (or worst) thing about the street food in Paris is that it always comes with a side of Parisian hipster, so you can people watch away while you eat.<\/p>\n

11. Moroccan<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7@hangry.nat<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

France\u2019s close proximity to Morocco in North Africa means you’re never far away from a Moroccan restaurant anywhere in the city. A Moroccan tagine can make for a healthy, delicious and affordable meal in Paris with Chez Omar or nearby Zerda Caf\u00e9 with the pretty Moroccan-style tiled door both being very good options. Le Traiteur Marocain found in the March\u00e9 des Enfants Rouges undercover street food market also serves up incredible Moroccan food in a more casual setting.<\/p>\n

12. Ice cream<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7@mathilde_perret<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If you need a sugar hit on your wanderings around Paris, the best option is to head straight to the \u00eele Saint-Louis, a little island between the Left and Right Banks of Paris. Grab a takeaway cone from any of the various vendors selling the best ice cream in the city, Berthillon, or go straight to the source to the Berthillon shop found on this cute little island too. If it\u2019s Italian gelato you\u2019re after, Pozzetto in the Marais or Grom with various shops around Paris are your best options.<\/p>\n

13. African food and cocktails<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7<\/em>@thetravellinglight<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Le Comptoir G\u00e9n\u00e9ral<\/a> in the cool Canal Saint-Martin area<\/a> in Paris\u2019 East has to be one of the most intriguing bars in the world. Sitting amongst African memorabilia and French antiques, in what looks like an old greenhouse with a wooden pirate ship as a bar, you should head here for brunch on Sundays or for affordable West African and Caribbean cuisine any day of the week. Order a cocktail from the pirate ship bar and you\u2019ve got yourself a fun day.<\/p>\n

14. Healthy American food<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7@quarrygirl<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

With so many American expats living in Paris, it\u2019s no wonder you can find a lot of American-style food in this city. My favourite micro-niche on the food scene is the healthy takes on American classics. I go to Kitchen (it used to be Bob\u2019s Kitchen), near Arts et M\u00e9tiers, at least once a week for a big hit of vegetables in their famous and affordable veggie stew, they also do incredible soup, bagels, fruit bowls and buckwheat pancakes.<\/p>\n

15. Cambodian<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7@globingaround<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Le Petit Cambodge is Paris\u2019 favourite Cambodian food, with two locations in Paris\u2019 Canal Saint-Martin. They\u2019ve got noodle soup, fresh salads and delicious curries as well as Cambodian and Vietnamese beer, all for a very affordable price. Who said cheap eats in Paris had to be unhealthy?<\/p>\n

16. French<\/h2>\n

\"Cheap<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7@alesrusso<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

OK, so you\u2019re in France and you actually want to eat French food, but on a budget? Le Baratin in Paris\u2019 East serves up modern gourmet French food for a good price, Caf\u00e9 de L\u2019Industrie has that classic wooden French bistro interior with classic bistro food with a slightly modern take whilst Bouillon Chartier<\/a> and Bistrot Victoire serve up the traditional French classics in a cute setting for those on a budget. At Chartier, starters run from \u20ac1, mains from \u20ac8.70 to \u20ac11.80 and desserts from \u20ac2.50 (checked November 2026). It’s open every day with no reservations, so arrive early or expect a short queue.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Where to stay for cheap eats in Paris<\/h2>\n

The cheapest food in this list clusters in the east and north of the city: the Marais for falafel, Canal Saint-Martin for bakeries and Cambodian, Gare du Nord for Indian and Belleville for markets. Staying nearby saves on metro fares. Our guide to where to stay in Paris for first-time visitors<\/a> breaks down each area, and these Paris hostels<\/a> put you close to the food.<\/p>\n