A visit to France is a fantasy to most people, particularly individuals who admire sumptuous foods, sipping in cafes and the symbolic foods of France. The biggest myth is however that you have to spend a lot to eat well in France, which is not the case! Delicious French food does not require even budget travelers to have to stretch their wallet to enjoy the same. And when you are planning in your trip and your France Travel Visa, it will even be better knowing where to dine inexpensively.
In this guide, we will discuss the best French restaurants in France enjoyed by both the locals and the tourists that come to the country to enjoy the best food at affordable prices.
Why France is a Foodies Paradise as a Travel Destination.
France is usually referred to as the food capital of the world- and rightly so. The French cuisine glorifies the taste, the tradition and the freshness in its buttery croissants as well as in its hot bowls of onion soup, the fine pastries and the hearty beef bourguignon.
The best part? You are not required to spend a fortune to have real French cuisine. Numerous small bistros, small family-run cafes, and neighborhood bakeries present an unparalleled gustatory experience at a low cost.
Following is a list of the best low-end restaurants in France that are worth including in your list of places to visit.
1. Bouillon Chartier, Paris – Traditional French on a Dime.
It is also a place to visit in case you are looking to experience classic French foods but not necessarily spend a lot of money. Being known as a vibrant old-fashioned restaurant, this legendary Parisian restaurant is characterized by exorbitantly low prices.
What to try:
- French onion soup
- Roast chicken with fries
- Crème brûlée
The restaurant is exceedingly cheap, but there is no compromise in quality and attractiveness. It is too one of the best locations to interrelate with locals.
Why budget travelers love it:
Prices begin as low as €2 -10, and the portions are substantial.
2. Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond, Paris — A Culinary Treasure.
Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond is known to have beautiful interiors and dishes that are Normandy in style, but do not have the high cost.
Must-try dishes:
- Confit de canard
- Escargots
- Floating island dessert
This restaurant enables the low-income tourists to savor high quality French cuisines at a sophisticated setting. In case you are making your plans, then you can remember to prepare all the papers you need when travelling to France in your Travel Visa before it is too late.
3. Les Gourmands, Lyon — Fine Dining at a reasonable Price in the Food Capital.
Lyon is a reputed gastronomic capital of France and Les Gourmands is among the most ideal places where the visitor would enjoy stunning food at affordable rates.
What makes it great:
- Daily-changing set menus
- Fresh and seasonal products.
- Good-natured service and comfortable atmosphere.
This is a place to sample traditional Lyonnaise cuisine at moderate costs since the food costs between 12-18.
4. Bordeaux, La Petite Cour-Delights of the Region at Low Prices.
Bordeaux does not only have wine enthusiasts worldwide, the food here is not less amazing. La Petite Cour is a popular bistro offering delicious dishes of southwestern French cuisine.
Must-try items:
- Duck confit
- Seafood platters
- Canelés (dessert of the iconic Bordeaux)
The low-cost carriers like the budget travelers are grateful to the quality, affordability, and friendliness of the hospitality.
5. Chez Gus, Nice – Mediterranean Meets French Food.
Chez Gus is situated just close to the renowned Promenade des Anglais and it is a fusion of Mediterranean food and the traditional French cuisine. It is ideal among the travelers visiting the French Riviera on a low end.
Recommended dishes:
- Ratatouille
- Socca (a Nice specialty)
- Fresh seafood dishes
The food at this location costs between 10-16 Euros which makes it an impressive beach meal.
6. Breizh Café, Various Locations — Best Low-End Crêperie.
One of the most favorite places to enjoy the French delicacies at a reasonable price is the Breizh Café, which makes use of crêpes and galettes as its staple foods.
The reason why it works well with low-end travelers:
- Prices from €5–€12
- Breton ingredients of high-quality.
- Trodden in Paris, Lyon and Brittany.
Whether it is a savory buckwheat galette or a sweet caramel-butter crêpes, this cafe cannot be left out of the list of all the foodies.
7. La Cucina di Nonna, Strasbourg — Franco Italian Comfort Food.
This Italian comfort food restaurant is situated in the center of Strasbourg and combines the flavor of the French with the Italian comfort food. Best fit to the tourists who would like to have substantial meals and at affordable prices.
Top choices:
- Lasagna
- Cheese fondue
- Tarte flambée (Alsace specialty)
The meals are of an average price of between 8-15 euro and thus suited well to the tourist visiting the picturesque Alsace.
Note on Costs, Local Culture and tips to visa France.
When you are traveling through the country and visiting restaurants, you will discover quite a lot of affordable restaurants that provide set menus in lunchtime, that is one of the most effective ways to save money and at the same time taste the real cuisine.
And when you start planning your food trip of France, you should keep in mind that arranging your France Visa papers before hand makes the travelling experience a stress-free event. Of course, you are visiting Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, or Nice, and you can find tasty food in every single place.
8. Le Bistrot du Coin, Marseille — Seafood Made Affordable.
Marseille is a place known to its Mediterranean sea food and Le Bistrot du Coin is known to sell the food at very low prices.
Don’t miss:
- Marseille bouillabaisse (the famous fish stew of Marseilles)
- Grilled sardines
- Mussels cooked in wine
It is a small, informal, and ideal location to accommodate the backpacker or a group of travellers.
Budget Travel Hack: Find Menu du Jour Deals.
In France, a non-dominating number of restaurants have a Menu du Jour (Menu of the Day) of between 10 and 15.
This typically includes:
- Starter
- Main course
- Dessert or drink
It is one of the most economical ways of having a French authentic dining experience.
Summary
France can be said to be the country of fine dining, yet as a low-end traveler, you will have numerous restaurants that have delicious meals that are authentic and at low costs. Since Parisian bistros are busy yet lovely cafes along the coast, these restaurants enable you to experience the French food without the heavy spending.
And now is the time to plan to try these flavors! By knowing the France visa online process, you can prepare your journey without any hassles and go about your food expedts without any worries.