Five great restaurants that won’t break the bank.
TERROIR PARISIEN
With three Michelin stars already under his belt, chef Yannick Alléno of Le Meurice brings classic French dishes to a strictly midrange market. Lunch costs around €30, dinner under €50, including wine: a steal at twice the price.
25, rue san Victor, 75005; yannick-alleno.com
BISTROT PAUL BERT
Strictly for the carnivore, serving hearty meat dishes in a brisk, no-nonsense manner: this is very much a local favourite, furnished with flea market antiques and featuring an original zinc bar. The food is incredibly rich, the wine list is one of the best in the city.
18, rue Paul Bert, 75011; lunch under €34, dinner under €50
ROBERT ET LOUISE
A lot of places lay claim to make the best steak in Paris, but this teensy restaurant in the Marais unquestionably delivers one of the very best. There's only a handful of tables upstairs, in full view of the wood fire oven; there's also room in the basement. No reservations, just show up. The €12 lunch menu is excellent.
64, rue Vieille du Temple, 75003; robertetlouise.com
BISTRO DU PEINTRE
A Belle Époque bistrot with a 1902 art nouveau bar and a nice outdoor patio, it's easy to forget this place also does excellent food. The menu specialises in solid campagnard cooking from the Auvergne,homemade foie gras, duck confit and juicy sirloin, none costing more than €14.
116 ave Ledru Rollin, 75011; bistrotdupeintre
LE SEVERO
Steak-frites is a Parisian staple. Virtually everywhere does it, but none better than this inauspicious bistro in the 14th arrondissement. Apparently it's because they're one of the few in the city to serve properly aged beef, which is then cooked to barely beyond bloody (this is France, after all). Nab a booth by the window and tuck in.
8 rue des Plantes, 75014
