Eating in Paris: Budget Travel Guide

Who doesn’t want to be a big cheese whiz? But with so many enchanting fromageries in Paris, how to make a cheese selection? Like hemlines, the variety of cheeses is seasonal and never-ever-ending. I have been there. So to help out, I’ve created a shopping list to use as a starting point. Crank up the » Read more

Paris is known for its café culture – lounging on a terrace all day long with a good book, some writing, and fantastic people watching. But when it comes to the actual café, the consensus among coffee-enthusiasts is that Paris doesn’t really brew the best cup of joe in Europe. Blame the beans, blame the » Read more

’Tis the season to be jolie, so I’ve decided to whip up a little something special for you, Cheapos. Here are a handful of my favorite hangouts in Paris. They’re all food-related and drool-worthy, but that’s no big surprise as I eat, love and pray daily for an abundance of treats. Ho-ho-ho! (By the way, » Read more

Whether it’s a trendy rosewater macaron or a classic chocolate éclair, Paris is a pastry-lover’s destination. Knowing where to go and what to get, however, can be daunting with so many tempting options in front of you. Sometimes it’s best to turn to the professionals for a little bit of advice before blowing euros on » Read more

By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— The long Parisian culinary tradition takes a sharp turn when it comes to the most quintessentially un-Parisian food, “le burger.” I can hear the groans of purists who wince at the very thought of ordering “un burger” in Paris. But for better or worse, the hamburger has become something of » Read more

As the sun starts beating down on a July afternoon in Paris, one surefire escape from the heat is a walk to the frozen food isle of the grocery store. Walk past the frozen bags of spinach and boxes of frozen pizza and you’ll find the cure to even the most sizzling of Parisian summer » Read more

Few experiences in Paris are as rewarding as sitting at a café for hours with a single beverage, watching the world pass by. During the summer, the sidewalk terraces open and the street theater plays out in front of you. As long as you stay away from the most famous streets and tourist-laden cafés in » Read more

Who’s the top macaron in Paris? Two names I often hear during heated gastronomical debates in my circle are the historic old school favorite Ladurée, and the flashy newcomer Gérard Mulot. While both are certainly splurge-worthy, I’ve often wondered if one had a bit of an edge over the other. So this week I’ve taken » Read more

It’s (sigh) time for another confession. On my very first trip to Paris years ago, I ate practically nothing but baguette sandwiches, both night and day. Even then, see, I was already a Cheapo in spirit! And soon I was hooked. Still after all these years, my love for the classic French “sammiches” (as my » Read more

Recent events in the Maghreb may have cut your trip to Egypt or Tunisia short, but fret not. Here in Paris a flourishing North African population shares its culture in plenty of delicious and delightful ways. North African nations of the once-mighty French empire, including present-day Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, still maintain important links with » Read more

Paris’ Belleville neighborhood is not exactly on the beaten path, but it’s a great opportunity for travelers to experience a less touristy side of the City of Lights. Of course the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are must-see sights, but graffiti art and Vietnamese food can offer a different kind of insight (and be a » Read more

For the full-bodied love of the sparkling good life in Paris, don’t limit your vin blanc et vin rouge cravings and desires to the grocery store chains—it’s a misconception that specialty shops are always more expensive. In fact, they are more than happy to match any budget. So step away from that door and embrace » Read more

By Theadora Brack in Paris— Big wheels do keep on turning in Paris! Like skirts, cheese is seasonal, and in France the variety is never-ending. So this week I’m taking it to les rues, and asking my favorite local Big Cheeses for recommendations and helpful tips, too. Here’s a shopping list to use as a » Read more

DEAR Theadora: Next month I plan to visit Paris with my family. Do you have any pâtisserie recommendations? Or do you not nibble and tell? Your fan, Earl, New York, New York DEAR Earl: As a lover of sweets, I don’t just nibble and tell, Sweet-tooth, I nibble and yell! So this week, let’s chat » Read more

When it comes to love and chow in Paris, I’m as loyal they come, but I ain’t easy. Before it’ll catch my heart, any eatery had better possess a certain ambience, flattering lighting, an affordable menu, gastronomical consistency, and friendly service. If they recognize my devotion with a smile, a little wave or a complimentary » Read more

How would you like to “flunch” together? Curious name aside, the flunch cafeteria chain in France offers a Cheapo-friendly lunch and dinner option to travelers not afraid to grab a tray and get in a line. But are cafeterias your thing? The cafeteria conundrum Without shame, I admit to being a fan of cafeteria food. » Read more

Grocery store chains may be your best bets for cutting costs while living in Paris, and they’re perfectly fine and dandy for long-term stays, but what if you’re visiting for just a week or two? Well then, I say, live it like it’s your last! Visiting one of the finest food capitals of the world, » Read more

Going to a restaurant when you have some sort of dietary restriction can be difficult enough as it is, let alone when you’re in a foreign country where you may not speak the local language. Never fear, we’ll show you how to find restaurants in Paris where you can eat freely or simply communicate your » Read more

Looking for the best tarte in Paris? For a delectable inside scoop, I asked a baker’s dozen friends to name their favorite boulangerie or pâtisserie. Nearly everyone in Paris is both food critic and advocate. So, while visiting the City of (De)lights, take advantage of the gastronomical convictions of the knowledgeable locals. Hint: Look for » Read more

Just like any modern metropole, Paris is a vibrant blend of cultures and people. Along with other immigrant groups, those from the former French colonies of Algeria and Vietnam have made their mark on the capital, creating new communities in their adopted home. One (rather tasty) way that Cheapos can discover these elements of Parisian » Read more

Paris is made up of more than just good wine. And locals here know not to ignore the other French cylindrical dandies of the drink world. Give us your liqueurs, your full-bodied bitters, your anisés and wild gentians! The mind reels with all the other possibilities. Drink specials Here’s a short list of apéritifs—along with » Read more

For many people, living in Paris (or just visiting) conjures up visions of buying fresh baguettes and croissants every morning at the local “boulangerie.” But those delightful bakeries offer so much more than breakfast breads! They can also serve as a Cheapo-friendly lunchtime resource! Here’s our guide to the boulangerie’s “other” baked goods, thinking beyond the baguette… More “pain,” » Read more

“When the well is dry, we know the worth of water, my friend,” quipped famed Francophile and frugality fan Ben Franklin. Fortunately, in Paris there are 108 “fontaines Wallace” and three functional “puits artésien” (artesian wells). Situated around the city’s busiest squares and at intersections in each arrondissement, the water is free for sipping; all » Read more

When the weather turns warm, Parisians picnic. Sure, some stray as far as the terrace of their corner café, but many flock to parks, gardens and river-side quais to enjoy their beloved city. For cheapos, picnics have the added advantage of being easy on the budget. Here are our steps for procuring and perfecting the » Read more

Paris can get, how do you say?, “trés cher.” After dining out in Paris for two nights last week, we were ready to give our wallets a break and try a Paris night a la Cheapo. A stroll for free After doing a bit of research, we mapped out a fun, Seine-side stroll from St. Germain des » Read more