Food Budget / Day in Paris

Hi,

So I am heading to Paris for a week a the end of September. I am planning to eat cheaply in Paris and splurge on one really nice dinner in Paris (40-50 euros) for the whole time that I am there. The rest of the time I want to have simple picnics (baguettes, cheese, mean and a cheap bottle of wine) and eat out in cheap restaurants and from street vendors. Will 40 euros/ a day suffice or is that too much or too little?

Yes you can dine in Paris inexpensively, I have done it. When you consider what you get street food is not really a good value. I have frequently gone to supermarkets to get salads, and items for sandwiches. Where will you be staying, sometimes hostels will have a place to eat and even prepare some food. Go to the supermarkets for huge selection of wine and you will find good prices. Get a couple bottles of water and fill them each day before you go out, a € or more is a lot for water. Make a nice picnic lunch to take to one of the beautiful gardens in Paris like the Luxembourg Gardens. Some bread, cheese, shrimp, oysters. You can get this at a supermarket and I am sure you will find some other treats to eat while there. I would think you could eat for 40€ a day easily. Save your money for one or two nice dinners. When traveling the streets of Paris the restaurants post their menu outside and the prices. Maybe you will find something you would like and return there for dinner. Ask for recommendations from people who live there and even others on this forum. Remember the better restaurants do not usually even open until around 8 in the evening for dinner. You will do just fine, have a great adventure.

Here are a lot of photos of cafes in Paris. FYI, it can cost more to be served outside. For a coffee, go inside and drink it there, but I am sure you will want to spend a little time outside a cafe to people watch. I do. http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/thread/7192/caf-parisiens-parisian?page=1

Also, get a carnet, a book of ten Metro tickets, to get around the city, Buy a second on if necessary. If you have never used the Metro or subway, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3LymBzOZUQ

I always liked one meal of moules frite (mussels and fries) when in France, nice meal and not that that expensive.

As louisxiv says, you can dine in Paris inexpensively. I ate at a typical French place Le Sainsev, they have set menus - from 12 euro, (I had the 16 euro one) for entree, main and dessert. Pâté de foie gras, Beef bourguignon and Crème brûlée. That took care of dinner. Lunch was usually a fresh baguette filled with ham or chicken, cheese, tomato which I bought from one of the supermarkets (Monoprix?) and kept in the small fridge at my hotel. Le Sainsev's specialty was mussels which the owner had simmering in a large pan at the entrance.

And for a guide as to what the cafe menus look like...same wonderful website, same author....
http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/thread/7404/paris-restaurant-slates-2015

and oh they make me so hungry....and people who claim Paris is too expensive haven't seen these menus...

Yes the budget is enough. Save on money by going to supermarkets and pack your own lunch and breakfast. And some cafes can be cheap, just avoid the real touristic restaurants. For your nice dinner that you are going to have, I have some suggestions.
1. Located on a quiet street near the Eiffel Tower, Chez L'ami Jean has gut-bursting portions and authentic parisian dishes, they are worth your every penny. Their menu are made with seasonal ingredients such as crabs, oyster, fish to pigeons, beef and deer.
2. Le Bistrot Paul Bert

This bistro offers the classic French selections. They have fixed priced menus of 19Euros or 38Euros which consits of an appetizer, a main course, cheese or dessert for 19Euros. One recommended dish is the Paris-Brest Puff pastry that is stuffed with hazelnut cream. One tip is to make a reservation as early as possible as this place can be packed to the brim.
3. Vincent's Home Restaurant

Crazy about the French cuisine, Vincent allows you to sample wine from his large collection and which kind of food to pair with which type of wine. You will be able to discover the wine regions of France and other countries and be able to recognise wine without reading the labels.

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