We'd rather be eating in Paris. Photo: Pedro Szekely

Dining out in Paris can be a difficult task on a budget, especially for first-time visitors. There are so many restaurants and recommendations to take in that just deciding where to go — or even which neighborhood to head to! — can be a laborious process unto itself.

I’m not going to make individual restaurant recommendations right now (the list is long, highly personal and ever-changing!), but there are a few general rules for most eating establishments that will help you keep the bill in check.

Note that these budget tips don’t necessarily apply to 3-star Michelin restaurants, but I’m pretty sure none of them will make the cut for cheap eats anyway.

Paris dining tips for saving on your bill

1. Do a bit of research

If you’re reading this, then you’re already on the right track. Knowing what to look for when browsing restaurants is important. Impossibly long menus, or menus posted outside in several languages (with an overeager barker trying to get you inside), are all signs that the food probably won’t live up to the price. Don’t give in too much to TripAdvisor or Yelp (again, highly personal!), but a quick scan might not be a bad idea if you have an extra minute.

It’s also important to note that many Parisian establishments serve lunch between 12 pm and 2 pm, give or take. Dinner reservations usually start at 7 pm and can go until 9 pm or even 10 pm at some places. Think to check the hours of a restaurant before heading over, because nothing is worse than finding your soon-to-be favorite dining spot and arriving five minutes before they close. Places marked “brasserie” typically stay open between lunch and dinner, but these tend to be basic dining options.

Related: 5 Classic meals to try in Paris before you leave

2. Don’t overpay for a lousy hotel breakfast

To start your day, you might be tempted to indulge in the hotel breakfast or a more American- or British-style breakfast in the big touristy areas. We say skip it. Unless you need a full spread of cold breakfast meats, eggs, yogurt, and cereal, hotel breakfasts are not usually worth the hefty price tags.

Instead, head out to the city with the locals to find a basic Parisian breakfast, which is as simple as a croissant, coffee, and orange juice. Sit down in a café or bakery and enjoy the people watching while nibbling on your pastry, and then prepare for the bill – a measly €5 or 6!

Related: How to save money on breakfast in Paris

3. Splurge at lunch

If you want to go to one of the trendy restaurants that the bloggers are all buzzing about, but don’t like the look of the dinner prices, consider going at lunch when prices are much cheaper. A set lunch menu, usually consisting of two courses, will be a much cheaper option while still including the same great food.

Look out for the lunchtime plat du jour (often scribbled outside the door on a chalkboard) to keep costs low. After a wonderful lunch, you’d feel perfectly justified with just a crepe or a falafel for dinner.

Related: 5 Tasty set menus in Paris from €12

4. Don’t feel pressured

Waiters are great at making you feel like you need a bottle of wine, a pre-dinner drink, bubbly water, or some other pricey add-on. Just say “non, merci”  and order what you want. Don’t feel pressured to rack up the bill just because the server is suggesting things — though if he or she is suggesting the cheaper option of wine or dish, it might be for a good reason.

Related: 10 French phrases every traveler should know

5. Ask for “un carafe d’eau”

This one again. Don’t order a bottle of water unless you think you need it. Still water, from the tap, is perfectly and deliciously drinkable in Paris. And, of course, it’s free. Don’t hesitate or feel cheap because you’re going with this option — everyone else is doing it, too!

6. “Un pichet de vin” tastes great

And to that end, unless you are a wine snob or someone who can tell the difference between every vintage, house wine is the way to go in France. A pitcher or carafe of wine is always cheaper than a bottle, and rarely disappointing. No, it won’t be a wine you’ll write home about, but if you’re writing home about wine anyway, we need to talk about that privately.

Related: 6 tips for buying wine in France

7. Watch out for additional charges

It’s common to find supplemental charges for certain food choices in set or “prix fixes” menus. While one or two euros is fine, adding €10 or €15 to a set menu adds up quickly to a not-so-cheapo meal, so just be aware. It’s usually indicated by a simple “+2” next to the item (to, in this case, signify a €2 extra charge).

8. Consider skipping dessert

Some restaurants do fantastic desserts. The profiteroles at Chez Georges are worth it, I’ll admit it. But most standard cafés and bistros don’t really bring their A-game when it comes to sweets, I find. And at €6-10 for a small bowl of crème caramel, I’d rather spend my money elsewhere.

If I’m skipping dessert, I’ll head to one of the gelato places like Pozetto, Grom, or even Amorino for a little treat to round off the meal. They’re usually open quite late, and at about half the price of a dessert in a restaurant, you’ll save a few euros. Another option? Plan ahead and hit up a bakery during the day to have a treat waiting for your back in your room after your meal.

Don’t worry too much about tipping more than a few extra euros. Photo: Franklin H.

9. Don’t get too tip-sy

Ah yes, the tip. I’d never discourage anyone from tipping at all — even though many French people would. But if you do want to leave a little something, don’t pull up your phone’s calculator to figure out 15%. Just leave a few coins, maybe €4-5 for really excellent service, and be done with it. I still feel cheap leaving €2 from time to time, but remember that your servers are getting paid real wages in France, so they won’t go hungry.

Related: When (and when not) to tip in Paris

10. Don’t waste food

You tried really hard to finish that giant plate of food, probably at a restaurant like Chez Gladines. But you just can’t. Now it’s going to go to waste, right? Wrong! A new policy started in 2016, many larger restaurants (those who serve 150 tables a day or more) are required to provide doggy bags to customers. It may seem so un-French to take food home and heat it up later, but if it means a late-night snack or even lunch the next day at no additional charge, this is a cheapo win!