Paris Dining: Essential Guide to the City’s Best Eats

If you’re in Paris and wonder where to eat, you don’t need a fancy plan. Just follow a few simple rules: look for places locals frequent, check opening hours, and match your budget. This guide gives you quick pointers for every meal, from breakfast croissants to midnight cravings.

Where to Eat for Every Budget

First, decide how much you want to spend. For under €15, head to Le Petit Cler on Rue Cler. It serves fresh salads, cheese plates, and a solid coffee—perfect for a light lunch. If you can stretch to €30‑€50, try Frenchie in the 2nd arrondissement. The menu changes daily, but the duck confit and the pastry selection are always spot‑on.

Looking for a splurge? Le Jules Verne inside the Eiffel Tower offers a view that matches its price tag. Expect a tasting menu around €150, but the experience is memorable. No matter the price, a good tip is to scan the voir‑le‑menu board outside; Paris cafés proudly display daily specials, and they’re often the best value.

Late‑Night Cravings: Restaurants That Stay Open

Paris nightlife doesn’t stop at midnight, and neither do a few eateries. L'As du Fallafel in the Marais serves its famous falafel sandwich until 2 am—perfect after a night out in the Oberkampf area. For a more refined bite, check out Le Relais de l'Entrecôte. Their steak‑frites are served until 1 am on weekends, and the sauce is a secret worth trying.

If you want a sit‑down dinner after 1 am, head to the 13th arrondissement’s Chez Gladines. The Basque plates are hearty, and the atmosphere stays lively late. Another solid option is Le Foodist, a small bistro near the Canal Saint‑Martin that stays open till 3 am on Fridays, offering French classics with a modern twist.

Pro tip: when you’re unsure about hours, call the place or glance at Google Maps’ “popular times” chart. Parisians often order a late‑night coffee with a croissant, so if you see a line of people near a bakery after dark, you’re probably in the right spot.

To wrap up, the best Paris dining experiences come from listening to locals, checking price ranges, and keeping an eye on opening hours. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite at a market stall or enjoying a multi‑course dinner with a view of the Seine, Paris has a table for every taste and budget. Bon appétit!