5 Great Budget Restaurants to Try in Paris

Looking for some deliciously lower priced restaurants to sample while staying in one of the affordable youth hostels in Paris? There are so many to choose from, but here is a selection of five to consider, which won’t break your budget.

La Pointe du Groin – If you're looking for a rustic feast, La Pointe du Groin offers offbeat, authentically French fare like oxtail, pig’s snout, delicious flans and fresh-baked bread. The reasonable prices ensure the hearty dishes are affordable enough for travellers staying in one of the many youth hostels in Paris to partake of. Located at 8 rue de Belzunce, meals average around €20.00.

Chez Hanna – Middle-eastern cuisine – most notably falafel and shawarma – takes centre stage at Chez Hanna. You need only spend around €4.00 for a sandwich filled to the brim with sauce, vegetables and herbed chickpea balls. Both the food and the prices make Chez Hanna an excellent choice for travellers on a budget (you may even consider taking some back for an evening meal at the youth hostels). Located at number 54 on the famous Rue des Rosiers, meals are around the €10.00 mark.

La Table du Marquis – If you want to sample authentic Gascon cuisine, from pates to foie gras, head over to La Table du Marquis. The (extremely) filling delights will fill you up, while tantalizing your taste buds with delectable flavours. This place is perfect when you want to try a richer cuisine (often associated with fine dining) on a budget. It's located at 3 Rue Beccaria, with dailies at €14.00, fixed menus with starters at €17.00 and complete menus with starters and desserts at €21.00.

Higuma – Want to try some authentic Parisian Japanese cuisine? You can satisfy your urge and get your fill of ramen noodle soups with hearty plates of gyoza dumplings at Higuma. The mouth-watering savoury fare, generous prices and hearty servings make it a favourite of locals and tourists alike. There are also some meat-free dishes as well. Located at 32 bis Rue Sainte-Anne, and a ramen meal with gyoza comes in at around €10.00.

Polidor – If you’re on the lookout for a budget bistro with a wonderful history attached to it, Polidor is the place to go. Not only is the cuisine excellent and very affordable - with lunch menus as low as €9.00 - historical figures like Hemingway and Miller used to grace the establishment with their regular presence. With almost 170 years of history behind it, Polidor is located at 41 rue Monsieur le Prince, with meals ranging between €9.00 and €18.00.

Keep all these bistros and restaurants in mind when you're staying in any of the youth hostels in Paris, and you’ll be able to enjoy great food without having to break your budget.

Looking for a dream travel experience? Jason H. Cunningham works for Hostelling International, a company with more than 4,000 youth hostels worldwide in fantastic locations. For the best hostel experience, join our global community and say hi to the world. From quality, affordable accommodation and backpacker tips, to meaningful volunteer opportunities and enriching our eco footprint, we are the world’s local hostelling hub.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.