Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Is food in Paris expensive?Can anyone tell me an average?

Chosen by Asker
Depends where you go. If you were going to Fouquet's, then yes, I'd say take out another mortgage on the house.

Honestly, it's not too terribly expensive. Luckily, the menus are posted outside the restaurants so you can check out the selections (and prices) before you go in.

You can eat light for lunch and splurge on a dinner while in Paris. The food is absolutely delicious. You'll want to splurge at least once.

One of my favorite places to eat is at the Louvre food court. There are a plethora of choices to satisfy any palate and any budget. You can get a veggie burger, fries and a drink at Universal Burger for around 4 Euros or you can get a decadent crepe at the crepe stand off by itself there for the same price. There are so many choices...

A picnic in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower is superb. It's fun shopping for the food as well...Rue Cler has some great shops for everything you need, from cheese to wine to dessert. You can also swing by a sandwich shop or order a crepe, which can be quite filling.

Another way to save a few Euros is to order tap water in a restaurant (un carafe d'eau). If you just order water, you'll get a bottle of water that will cost you 3-4 Euros. Pop will get you every time...I've seen it as expensive as 6 Euros for a glass. You're better off buying a larger bottle at a grocery store and storing it in your hotel room. Same with water...get a large bottle (they are really inexpensive...I've purchased a huge bottle for 25 centimes) and fill up your water bottle each morning before you hit the sightseeing road.

Near Notre Dame, there are some nice cafes. Two of my favorite are Cafe Quasimodo and the Esmerelda Cafe (fitting names, eh?). They offer delicious food at cheap prices, plus they have nice (read: free) restrooms. I've eaten there for about 5 Euros.

Watch out if a waiter asks if you want a salad...it's extra and adds up quickly.

I'd budget at least 10 Euros for lunch and 20-25 for dinner. You'll spend more some times, you'll spend less most of the time. Fill up at breakfast, if your hotel offers it. If not, bring some cereal bars from home. If your hotel has a buffet breakfast, bring a zip-loc baggie to throw in a croissant or two for a mid-day snack.

Here are a few average prices of everyday items:
A sandwich (take-out)…2.20-3.20 Euros
Bottle of mineral Water (from a shop, 0.5 litres)…0.20-0.40 Euros
Cup of coffee (from a café, espresso)…1-1.85 Euros
Cup of coffee (crème, larger cup with milk)…1.85-2.25 Euros
Beer (un demi--half a litre)…1.85-2.60 Euros
Glass of house wine…1.85-2.15 Euros
French national newspaper…1-1.20 Euros
International newspaper…1.50-2.30 Euros
Metro ticket (single)…1.30 Euros
Metro ticket (per ticket if you buy a carnet)…1,10 Euro
Camera film (36 pictures)…7-8 Euros
 

No comments:

Post a Comment