Parisians value good cooking, fresh ingredients and inventive cuisine. With the dollar weak against the euro,however, you may have sticker shock at the prices listed for eating out on your vacation to Paris. Don't worry. There are many restaurants in Paris that offer great value for your money. The best deals are the fixed price menu which offers a selection of starters or appetizers, main courses and desserts for a set price. In Paris, a fixed price dinner under 25 euros is considered a budget meal.
Located in Montmartre near Sacre Coeuer Cathedral and the streets where Picasso and the Impressionist painted their most memorable works, Un Zebre a Montmartre is a bistro specializing in cuisine from the French region of Lyon. The cozy interior is decorated with zebras and bright colors. Specials of the house include tuna carpaccio, marinated scallops and Lyonaise mussels. For dessert, try the homemade chocolate mousse. In March 2010, a fixed price dinner is a steal at 17 euros for a starter, main course and dessert .
Un Zebre a Montmartre
38 rue Lepic
Paris, France, 75018
+33-01-4223-9780
unzebreamontmartre.com
If you are looking for great wines with a creative meal, try Le Pre Verre. This bistro, in the Latin Quarter near the Pantheon, prepares traditional French favorites, but gives them a kick with Asian spices. Examples include cod braised with cinnamon and grilled pork in a five spices sauce. The wine selection focuses on small vineyards from the South of France, and serves wine by the glass, the pitcher, or an honor system by the amount consumed. In March 2010, a fixed price dinner is around 25 euros per person including a starter, main course and dessert.
Le Pre Verre
8, rue Thénard
Paris, France 75005
+33-01-4354-5947
lepreverre.com/en/resto
Close to the Bastille, L'Ebauchoir is a small bistro that is a favorite of the working class locals that live in the area. The portions are huge for Paris and feature creative specialties, such as grilled tuna steak with white chocolate, and traditional favorites like rack of lamb with tumeric. The decor is 1950's bistro chic with colorful frescos decorating the walls. In March 2010, fixed price three-course dinner is under 25 euros per person.
L'Ebauchoir
43, rue de Citeaux;
Paris, France 75012
In pricey St. Germain des Pres, La Boussole offers a great value for your money. La Boussole means compass in French, and the restaurant specializes in East meets West with exotic spices flavoring the French dishes. The dining room is enclosed in a centuries old stone cavern with candles lighting the room. Favorites include steak with gingerbread sauce, and lamb stew with fruits and oranges. In March 2010, a fixed price dinner was under 25 euros for a three course meal.
La Boussole
12 rue Guisarde
Paris, France 75006
+33-01-5624-8220
la-boussole.com
