What Food To Try in Paris and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Paris for 2024.
National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Paris cafes and restaurants
$16.4
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $10.92
$72.1
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $49.13
$10.9
Combo Meal
Starting from $9.83
What to Try in Paris
Must-try Dishes
Omelette - Omelette Parisienne (classic egg dish) - Fluffy eggs cooked with herbs and cheese, often filled with ham or mushrooms. Locals typically enjoy this for breakfast in cozy cafés, often paired with a fresh baguette. Crêpe - Crêpe Suzette (sweet crepe dish) - Delicate pancake infused with orange zest, flambéed in Grand Marnier, and served with a sweet sauce. Street vendors are common sights, especially in the Latin Quarter, where late-night snackers indulge after a night out.
Coq au Vin - Coq au Vin (chicken stew) - Succulent chicken braised with red wine, mushrooms, and lardons, creating a rich, hearty meal. Enjoyed mainly during dinner, it's a staple in traditional bistros, perfect for cozy evenings with friends.
Duck Confit - Confit de Canard (duck specialty) - Tender duck leg slow-cooked in its own fat until crispy on the outside, often served with potatoes. Many locals savor this dish during Sunday family lunches, relishing the rich flavors and time spent together.
Boudin Noir - Boudin Noir (blood sausage) - A rich sausage made from pork blood, onions, and spices, often grilled and served with apple compote. It's surprisingly popular among locals who enjoy this dish in winter months, finding comfort in its heartiness.
Choucroute Garnie - Choucroute Garnie (sauerkraut dish) - Fermented cabbage topped with various meats like sausages and pork, providing a robust flavor profile. This Alsatian dish can be enjoyed year-round, but locals particularly indulge in it during colder months.
Ratatouille - Ratatouille Provençal (vegetable medley) - A colorful medley of eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes, slowly stewed to bring out its flavors. Many restaurants feature this as a summer special, celebrating the vibrant seasonal produce available at markets.
Falafel - Falafel (chickpea fritters) - Crispy chickpea balls, spiced with herbs and served in pita, typically garnished with fresh veggies and tahini. Perfect for a quick bite from street vendors, it's a favorite lunch for locals on the go.
Desserts & Drinks
Café au Lait - Café au Lait (coffee with milk) - Strong brewed coffee combined with hot milk, creating a velvety texture. Locals typically enjoy this in the morning at a charming café terrace, often paired with a buttery croissant (make sure to order it "à emporter" if you want it to go).Vin Chaud - Vin Chaud (mulled wine) - Red wine spiced with cinnamon, star anise, and cloves, heated to perfection. This warming drink is a winter favorite, especially at Christmas markets; locals love sipping it while wandering through holiday stalls.
Glacé au Café - Glace au Café (coffee ice cream) - A creamy dessert made from rich coffee and whipped cream, frozen to a silky smooth consistency. Best enjoyed during summer, particularly after a leisurely lunch, though locals might savior it year-round—just be prepared for the looks when you order it in winter!
Choux à la Crème - Choux à la Crème (cream puffs) - Light choux pastry filled with delicious pastry cream and dusted with powdered sugar. Often enjoyed as an afternoon treat in a bistro, these fluffy bites are perfect for sharing, but don’t get fooled into thinking one will be enough!
Mille-Feuille - Mille-Feuille (layered pastry) - Flaky pastry layered with creamy custard, topped with a sweet icing. A classic choice for celebrations or special occasions like birthdays, it’s best consumed fresh from the bakery (don’t forget to ask for a slice to be cut from the back for the perfect layers).
Food and Groceries in Paris
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $2.06 |
| Bananas | $2.41 |
| Oranges | $3.35 |
| Potatoes | $2.5 |
| Apples | $3.67 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.91 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $2.36 |
| Imported Beer | $3.54 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $9.83 |
| Milk 1L | $1.33 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $24.43 |
| Chicken | $14.73 |
| Cigarettes | $11.46 |
| Rice | $2.38 |
| Local Cheese | $19.02 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
There's something charmingly chaotic about the lunch hour in the Marais. As the clock strikes noon, the streets fill with locals rushing to their favorite spots, grabbing a quick bite amid the hustle. It's a scene of social interaction—friends sharing a midday break, office workers indulging in their baguette or tartine, and families enjoying a leisurely meal amidst the trendy boutiques.
In Paris, meal times are distinctly structured. Lunch typically runs from noon to 2 PM, while dinner doesn’t really start until 7 PM—much later than in some other cities. If you wander into a restaurant at 1:45 PM, you may find the place buzzing. Alternatively, if you arrive just before noon or after 2 PM, you might be met with an empty dining space, as many places close up for a good chunk of the afternoon.
Price points vary significantly based on location. For instance, a meal at a café in the Marais might cost around €15-20, while the same dish could run closer to €10-15 in more suburban areas like Belleville. Many locals stick to their budget, often opting for the daily plat du jour (dish of the day) which can be found between €10-12, particularly appealing in districts where dining out can quickly escalate into pricey territory.
While it’s common to pay with credit cards, cash still has its charm—especially in smaller bistros. Most restaurants will present the bill with the service charge included, so tipping isn't mandatory but appreciated; rounding up your total or leaving a small change often suffices. Oh, and don’t forget—just because the service is excellent doesn’t mean the tipping amount needs to be large. A simple gesture of appreciation goes a long way.
One local custom that stands out is how Parisians will often linger over their coffee or dessert long after the meal is finished. This contrasts sharply with tourist habits of quickly moving on. Reservations are a wise choice, particularly for dinner during the weekends, as places can fill up rather quickly. Using popular dining apps to secure a table can save you disappointment, especially in hotspots known for their culinary offerings.
As the seasons change, so do dining habits, with autumn bringing hearty dishes like coq au vin and winter typically favoring rich stews. I’ve noticed that with spring blooming, more Parisian terraces open, inviting locals to enjoy al fresco dining, a significant shift in ambiance and energy.
In the ever-evolving landscape of Paris dining, the rhythms of the city’s meals reveal how deeply the local culture is intertwined with food. When exploring the various neighborhoods, take the time to savor what’s around you, and you’ll find that each district offers its own unique culinary experience, whether it's a bustling market or a quaint bistro. Enjoy the journey!
In Paris, meal times are distinctly structured. Lunch typically runs from noon to 2 PM, while dinner doesn’t really start until 7 PM—much later than in some other cities. If you wander into a restaurant at 1:45 PM, you may find the place buzzing. Alternatively, if you arrive just before noon or after 2 PM, you might be met with an empty dining space, as many places close up for a good chunk of the afternoon.
Price points vary significantly based on location. For instance, a meal at a café in the Marais might cost around €15-20, while the same dish could run closer to €10-15 in more suburban areas like Belleville. Many locals stick to their budget, often opting for the daily plat du jour (dish of the day) which can be found between €10-12, particularly appealing in districts where dining out can quickly escalate into pricey territory.
While it’s common to pay with credit cards, cash still has its charm—especially in smaller bistros. Most restaurants will present the bill with the service charge included, so tipping isn't mandatory but appreciated; rounding up your total or leaving a small change often suffices. Oh, and don’t forget—just because the service is excellent doesn’t mean the tipping amount needs to be large. A simple gesture of appreciation goes a long way.
One local custom that stands out is how Parisians will often linger over their coffee or dessert long after the meal is finished. This contrasts sharply with tourist habits of quickly moving on. Reservations are a wise choice, particularly for dinner during the weekends, as places can fill up rather quickly. Using popular dining apps to secure a table can save you disappointment, especially in hotspots known for their culinary offerings.
As the seasons change, so do dining habits, with autumn bringing hearty dishes like coq au vin and winter typically favoring rich stews. I’ve noticed that with spring blooming, more Parisian terraces open, inviting locals to enjoy al fresco dining, a significant shift in ambiance and energy.
In the ever-evolving landscape of Paris dining, the rhythms of the city’s meals reveal how deeply the local culture is intertwined with food. When exploring the various neighborhoods, take the time to savor what’s around you, and you’ll find that each district offers its own unique culinary experience, whether it's a bustling market or a quaint bistro. Enjoy the journey!
Tourist Reviews
All photos and texts belong to their authors
A quite decent establishment with very reasonable prices. »