As I have been working in Paris for the last two years, the first year as an alternant during my masters program, and now working full time, I have been exploring all of the restaurants during my lunch, finding the best spots to eat for under 13 euros.
To spend 13 euros for a lunch in Paris is actually considered expensive. In the beginning of my alternance in September of 2024, we could still find a decent amount of meals around 10 euros, maybe even 8 or 9 euros.
However, as prices have increased, the average seems to be around 12 euros.
I remember that when I first started, I thought that it would be impossible to find something for around that price. As it turns out, for lunches especially in very businessy-corporate areas, restaurants make specific menus that cater to people looking to pick up a meal and bring it back to the office, for an affordable price and being able to use their Ticket Restos, if their company provides it.
I’ve been absolutely loving testing new spots during my work lunches, because the food here in Paris in amazing. There are so may different cuisines, many that I had never tried before living here! I will go more into detail about restaurants and lunch culture in France in another blog, so stay tuned.
For now, here are my top 8 restaurants for lunch in Paris, all 13 euros or under. Be sure to check back regularly, as I will update this list as I try out new places!
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At a glance :
- Le Cambodge 17 – Cambodian
- Bamignon – Vietnamese
- Yup Thaï – Thai
- La Cantine de Sam – Lebanese / vegetarian
- Mmmozza..! – Italian
- Berrie Saint Lazare – French
- Osè African – African
- Arlette & François – French
#1 – Le Cambodge 17
Address : 22 Rue Lebouteux, 75017 Paris
Favorite dish : Lemon grass curry (Poulet sauté à la citronnelle)
Price : 11.5€ for the curry, 12.5€ for the Bo Bun
Sitting at the top of my list is Le Cambodge 17. My first time trying Cambodian cuisine, this place immediately became my favorite because of the flavors of the dishes, as well as their hospitality.
My first time here, I tried their lemongrass chicken curry, and I was amazed at the flavor profile of the dish. It was very similar to a Thai curry, which makes sense given that the two countries are right next to each other. I have also tried their bo bun with beef, which was also quite tasty, yet the curry stands strong as my favorite dish here.
#2 – Bamignon
Address : 74 Bd Malesherbes, 75008 Paris
Favorite dish : Bo Bun with lemongrass chicken (Bún au poulet)
Price : 11.90 €
Bamignon, a Vietnamese restaurant located right near Parc Monceau in the 8th, is usually known for their Banh Mi sandwiches, but I come here for their Bo Bun. They actually have the best Bo Bun I’ve ever tried!
The ingredients here are all very fresh, and they even air fry the nems which makes it feel a bit lighter.
What I love to do, it make my order “à emporter”, or to-go, and enjoy my lunch in Parc Monceau just a two minute walk away.
#3 – Yup Thaï
Address : 13 Rue Léon Frot, 75011 Paris
Favorite dish : Curry vert (green curry)
Price : 12.90€
My favorite spot for a Thai curry in Paris, happens to also be a great spot for lunch and under 13€!
Yup Thaï has a tiny location located in the 11th arrondissement, yet the wait is worth it. This is the most flavorful curry I had ever eaten, and even had me experimenting to try to recreate it at home. Spoiler, I haven’t succeeded nearly as well.
I also really enjoyed the modern plating of the curry, it satisfied the appetite of my eyes!
#4 – La Cantine de Sam
Address : 50 Rue Catherine de la Rochefoucauld, 75009 Paris
Favorite dish : Roasted aubergine, hummus + pita
Price : 26 euros for 3 mezzes, or 13 euros per person
La Cantine de Sam is a Lebanese and vegetarian restaurant near the quartier Saint Georges, open all day. I came here with a friend and we split a few mezzes, we ordered their aubergine rôtie, frilettes de courgettes (fried zucchini patties), and their hummus with pita. This ended up being a lot of food for two people, but no worries because we took the extra home.
My friend and I were genuinely impressed by what we ordered. The flavors were incredible, and the sauces were to die for. I am not sure what was in the pink sauce, but that was our favorite. And each dish was topped with pomegranate seeds, which elevated it just that much more.
We paid 26 euros total for all three, so per person it came out to 13 euros. Which in the end, was slightly cheaper than going for a bowl, which are around 15 euros. And it kept us full until the evening!
#5 – Mmmozza..!
Address : 57 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Favorite dish : Sandwiches
Price : 9.50€
Mmmozza..! is a spot I discovered accidentally while au paring actually, before grabbing coffee with a friend nearby, and there is not a week that goes by where I am not craving their sandwiches. I genuinely think it was one of the best Italian sandwiches I had ever had.
This spot is an Italian épicerie, so you can come here to buy their Italian charcuterie or cheeses. But they also have a menu of sandwiches using their fresh ingredients, which are absolutely delectable.
I had their “Laura” with mozzarella, charcuterie, and arugula, and for the charcuterie I chose their soppressata, and Italian meat that my grandfather would make himself.
With just a few simple ingredients and a drizzle of olive oil, I was in heaven.
#6 – Berrie Saint Lazare
Address : 39 Rue Saint-Lazare, 75009 Paris
Favorite dish : weekly rotating menu options! but I always go for their bowls
Price : 8.8€ !!!
The cheapest spot I’ve come across! Berries is an épicerie shop / lunch place during the work week, with super affordable meals. Their salads run for 8.8€, and they have an ever rotating weekly menu, so you will always be trying something new.
They have extremely unique combinations too, which always makes it more fun. Pictured on the left is a bowl with boulgour, hummus, pickled radish, feta, and walnuts, while on the right has pasta perles, whipped ricotta cheese, chicken, green onion, and eggplant.
Another thing I love, is that on each table they put out different pickled ingredients, from jalapeños to kumquat and ginger. Free to add on to your meal, which is a special touch and makes the hospitality feel even more welcoming.
#7 – Osé African
Address : 14 Rue du Rocher, 75008 Paris
Favorite dish : Rice with the sauce coco, plantains (alloko), and chicken, (poulet effiloché)
Price : Taille/size M – 12.90€
Osé Africain has a few locations throughout Paris, but I have only tested out the one in the 8th by Saint Lazare. I really love this spot because the flavors of their ingredients are incredible, unlike any place I’ve tried where you compose your meal how you want.
They really pack in the ingredients, so you definitely will stay full the rest of the afternoon! Make sure you come hungry.
This spot was about a euro cheaper when I started, so around 11.90€, but as we know prices have been increasing everywhere. Yet, it still falls in my category of lunches under 13€.
#8 – Arlette & François
Address : 60 Rue des Dames, 75017 Paris
Favorite dish : Lentil, salmon and avocado salad
Price : 9.10€
If you’re looking for healthy salad options, Arlette & François is a great choice. I tried their lentil salad with salmon, avocado, and fromage fouetté (whipped cheese), and it was delicious. It comes with an olive oil dressing and baguette on the side as well.
The owners were also very sweet, which make me want to go back even more.
This happens to be one of the very few spots that still has salads under 11-12€, aside from Berrie listed above!
That wraps up my list of my top lunch spots in Paris for under 13€! Be sure to check back regularly if you are looking for a new place to try, as I will be updated this blog as I test out more restaurants.
What is your favorite spot for lunch in Paris? Leave me a comment so I can try it!
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Xx,
Carmela