Sick of eating like a tourist in Paris? The allure of a meal with a view of the Eiffel Tower, the Sacre-Couer or nestled in the artist square of Montmartre (or any of the other monuments for that matter) is too tempting to deny. I know I definitely succumb to a meal or two in the tourist spots when I visit. But… maybe don’t choose every meal on its proximity to popular tourist locations. And I would like to premise, I am not against this, you are in Paris!
Here are some tips on how to find yourself a good restaurant or bistro in Paris, outside of the tourist bubble.
1. Walk away
Now this one will seem like common sense – the further you get from the Eiffel Tower, the cheaper and more local the restaurants will become. But sometimes it’s easy to forget, especially when you get swept away by the beauty of Paris.
In my experience, the quality of my French favourites suffers the closer I am to a tourist attraction. For example, a croque madame in a cafe in the 16th (away from any tourist sites) was delicious and well-priced, while one by Notre Dame was substantially more expensive and was quite dry. However, I was close to Notre Dame, and I was happy with accepting average for this meal. This quality difference isn’t a rule though. I had the best Quiche Lorraine of my life the Musée d’Orsay cafe – it wasn’t cheap, but it was worth every single euro.
2. Have Yourself a Parisian Picnic
If you’re on a budget and want to eat every meal at a monument or popular tourist site, Paris is the perfect destination for a picnic. Visit the local stores, collect yourself some goodies, and eat your meal on the lawns of the Eiffel Tower, or your favourite spot in Paris.
I love collecting food from stores as I wander the streets. When I find a nice place where I want to linger a little longer, I open up my bag and enjoy an impromptu picnic, anywhere, anytime. Of course you can plan your picnic too. My friend and I love to have lunch by the Eiffel Tower. We fill our bags with our favourites and wander down to Trocadero. From there we move to the edge of the lawns / gardens below and escape the crowds for a peaceful lunch, just us and the Eiffel Tower.
3. Stay local
Most hotels in Paris are located near tourist attractions, and you often find yourself caught in a tourist bubble. A bubble that caters to tourist taste buds and of course tourist prices. So when choosing your hotel, find a balance between distance from tourist attractions, and distance to local neighbourhoods (where there are no hotels or tourist sites).
Better yet, stay local. Find boutique accommodation or home stays in areas where there are no tourist attractions. I stay in the 16th arrondissement, where there are few accommodation options, but still only around one kilometre from the Arc de Triomphe or Eiffel Tower. Being close to a metro line that easily allows access to tourist sites is a plus too. But here, in my local neighbourhood, I visit restaurants where I am often the only tourist. I get authentic French dishes for a fraction of the price of the tourist bubble.
4. International cuisine
Paris is a global city. Yes, it has incredible French food, but it also has so many other cuisines that you may not get to experience at home. I know eating Asian or African isn’t what you generally romanticise about when visiting Paris – but it’s worth trying something new. Paris is a melting pot of cuisine and it will be a shame to miss out.
5. Don’t overthink it
You can spend all day trying to find the perfect place to eat – judging menus, prices and clientele. Don’t scour the internet for recommendations – because you will literally find thousands. If you see a place you like, and you’re feeling peckish, then welcome the server with a bright “bonjour” and ask if there is a table available. Food in Paris is generally good everywhere, yes some is more average than others, and some is more expensive, but you are in Paris! It’s time to embrace whimsical and spontaneity and find yourself your own hidden gem.
