Affordable, excellent and so truly Parisian! So READ IT NOW and ENJOY!
By Julie Collas from the comedy in English «Oh my god she’s Parisian! » –The Parisian Who Tells You Everything Parisians Don’t Want You to Know!
Hello Guys!!!
Every time after my show, spectators ask me where to go for dinner and where to find a nice French restaurant, so after hearing this request all the time, I decided to write an article about it!
I know you all want to see my TOP 5 list of cheap and good French restaurants but take the time to read about how to behave at a Parisian dinner first because really, my dear readers, it's part of the Parisian charm! I talk about it in my show ‘Oh my god she's Parisian!’ because it's an experience you'll never have anywhere else! So take the time to read this article before you book your table!
My show gives you a Crash Course in the Parisian Dinner Culture
Bonjour, mes amis! I’m Julie Collas, a Parisian through and through. I was born and raised in this city, and let me tell you something: eating in Paris is an art form. Not just the food (obviously, it’s amazing), but the ritual surrounding dinner. Because in France, we don’t just “grab a bite to eat.” Oh non, non, non. Dinner is a performance.
If you don’t believe me, come see my show “Oh My God, She’s Parisian!” It’s an hour of non-stop comedy in English, where I reveal the hilarious, absurd, and sometimes terrifying reality of being a true Parisian. Including what happens when you invite a Parisian to dinner and all the ridiculous rules you didn’t know you had to follow.
We take food very seriously here. In fact, you could say we’re obsessed. We plan entire vacations around food, we talk about lunch while we’re having breakfast, and if you ever say, “I don’t really care where we eat,” you will be instantly judged and possibly exiled.
So, before we get to my top Five best affordable French restaurants in Paris, let me give you a few golden rules so you don’t embarrass yourself at dinner.
Parisian Dinner Rules according to Parisians!
Arrive late – but not too late
Arriving on time is social suicide. We love being late—it makes us look cool. But not TOO late, or people will assume you’ve been kidnapped. The ideal delay? 15-30 minutes. Enough to make an entrance, but not enough to get replaced by the breadbasket.
Never come empty-handed
Want to see a Parisian gasp in horror? Show up to dinner with nothing. You need a gift. Wine is a classic choice, flowers are acceptable (but avoid chrysanthemums—those are for funerals). But whatever you do, do not bring dessert unless you personally spoke to the host AND their grandmother.
Everything must be perfect
The table? A masterpiece. The cutlery? Silver, polished until it blinds you. The plates? Limoges porcelain or bust. We Parisian hosts don’t just “set the table”—we curate an experience.
Eat everything. Yes, even the snails.
Refusing food is a crime. If your host serves you foie gras, you eat the foie gras. If they bring out escargots, you take that little fork and start digging. No questions, no hesitation. You can cry later.
Discuss the food in great detail
Eating without discussing every bite is pointless. Expect to hear things like, “Oh la la, the texture of this boeuf bourguignon is incroyable!” or “This sauce! C’est une merveille!” If you’re silent while eating, people will assume you’re having a medical emergency.
The bill is a mystery
Unlike in the U.S., where the waiter practically throws the bill at you with your dessert, in France, you have to ask for it. Otherwise, they assume you just want to sit there for six more hours, contemplating life over your empty espresso cup.
The Ultimate Parisian Night: Dinner & a real stand-up comedy in English in Paris!
Now, you could spend the night eating at an incredible Parisian bistro and then waddling home like a well-fed duck. OR… you could keep the fun going by coming to see my show after dinner!
“Oh My God, She’s Parisian!” is the perfect after-dinner activity—because let’s be honest, after stuffing your face with French food, you probably can’t walk very far. So why not sit back, laugh, and let me roast Parisian culture right in front of your eyes?
Now that you know how to act like a Parisian at dinner, here are five places where you can test your new skills without breaking the bank.
My Top 5 French restaurant in Paris: Excellent and affordable!
1. Bouillon Chartier – The Time Machine Bistro
📍 7 rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris💰 Price range: €10 – €20 ( and many other adresses in Paris.)
Walking into Bouillon Chartier is like stepping into a Paris from another era—where waiters in white aprons zoom past carrying towering plates of food, and the grand Belle Époque decor makes you feel fancy even if you’re wearing sneakers.
I won’t lie—the place is noisy, chaotic, and filled with tourists. But that’s part of the fun! The service is fast, the menu is filled with classic French dishes like beef bourguignon and escargots (which I attempted to eat without looking terrified), and the prices are almost too good to be true.
Must-try dish: The duck confit. Crispy, tender, and so good you’ll want to write poetry about it.
2. Chez Gladines – Comfort Food for Hungry Humans
📍 44 boulevard Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris💰 Price range: €12 – €18
Imagine a cozy little French grandmother’s kitchen, but with way more noise and red checkered tablecloths. That’s Chez Gladines, a Basque-inspired bistro that serves HUGE portions of ridiculously good food. Seriously, bring an appetite—or a friend to help roll you home.
The atmosphere is fun and unpretentious—no one cares if you accidentally drop a potato on your lap (not that I did… okay, I did). And the food? Oh man. Garlic-laden sautéed potatoes, rich cassoulet, and duck confit so juicy it should be illegal.
Must-try dish: The Basque-style duck. It’s served with a mountain of crispy potatoes, and I regret nothing.
3. Bistro des Augustins – The Tiny Gem by the Seine
📍 39 quai des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris💰 Price range: €10 – €15
This place is so small, I almost walked past it. Bistro des Augustins is a hole-in-the-wall paradise for gratin lovers, tucked right near the Seine. The inside is tiny but adorably rustic, with stone walls and wooden beams that make you feel like you’ve entered a secret Parisian hideout.
The menu is simple: cheesy, creamy, baked-to-perfection gratins that make you question every life choice that led you to NOT eating this every day. I ordered the classic potato and cheese gratin, and let’s just say… if I could move in here, I would.
Must-try dish: The gratin with reblochon cheese. Basically, a hot, gooey plate of happiness.
4. Les Fines Gueules – The Fancy but Affordable One
📍 43 rue Croix des Petits Champs, 75001 Paris💰 Price range: €15 – €25
If you want to feel like a classy Parisian without blowing your entire paycheck, Les Fines Gueules is the move. The setting? A stylish but relaxed bistro near the Louvre with exposed brick walls and dim lighting that makes everyone look ten times more attractive.
This place takes its ingredients seriously—everything is organic, fresh, and delicious. I started with a charcuterie platter (because why not?), then devoured a perfectly cooked steak with crispy frites. The wine list is incredible, and I may or may not have had more than one glass.
Must-try dish: The steak with truffle butter. I still dream about it.
5. Le Petit Pontoise – The Coziest Little Bistro Ever
📍 9 rue de Pontoise, 75005 Paris💰 Price range: €18 – €25
Tucked away in a charming side street near Notre-Dame, Le Petit Pontoise is the kind of tiny, intimate bistro that makes you want to move to Paris forever. It has warm wooden tables, shelves stacked with wine bottles, and a “this place is special” kind of vibe.
The food is classic French comfort food at its best. I ordered the duck magret, and honestly? I don’t think I spoke a word while eating—it was that good. The service is friendly, the atmosphere is romantic but not pretentious, and you’ll leave feeling like you just discovered one of Paris’ best-kept secrets.
Must-try dish: The duck magret with honey sauce. Order it. Thank me later.
And the last because I am Parisian but I am a nice person and I want you to be 100% happy!
6. Le Petit Cler – A Hidden Neighborhood Treasure
📍 29 rue Cler, 75007 Paris💰 Price range: €12 – €25
Tucked away on the picturesque rue Cler, one of Paris’s most charming market streets, Le Petit Cler is the perfect spot for a relaxed yet authentic Parisian meal. It’s the kind of place where locals actually eat, which is always a good sign.
The atmosphere is cozy but lively, with small tables packed together and friendly waiters who somehow remember everyone’s order despite the chaos.
The food? Simple but perfect. The croque-monsieur here is legendary—crispy, cheesy, and just the right amount of decadent. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, their beef tartare is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
And don’t forget to order a glass (or two) of wine—this is Paris, after all.
FinishYour Night Like a True Parisian— and see the Parisian show: Oh my god she’s Parisian!
Now that you’ve eaten your weight in French food, what’s next? Come to my show!
And if you’re thinking, “Oh, but I’m too full, I need to lie down and digest,” let me tell you something: laughing burns calories. Probably. Maybe. Okay, not really, but it’s worth a try!
Plus, after spending a couple of hours navigating the complexities of Parisian dining etiquette, wouldn’t it be nice to sit back and laugh about it? In my show, I reveal everything Parisians don’t want you to know. Like how we pretend to know about wine when we really don’t. Or how we secretly love to judge tourists while also envying their enthusiasm. Or the real reason why Parisians never smile in public.
Picture this: You’ve just had the best meal of your life, you’re sipping a little post-dinner espresso (or let’s be honest, another glass of wine), and you think, Wow, I really understand Paris now. And then you come to my show and realize... you don’t. Not even a little bit. But that’s okay, because I’ll guide you through it all, one laugh at a time.
You’ll leave feeling like a true Parisian—except happier, because real Parisians never admit they’re happy. That would be too simple.
So eat, laugh, and experience Paris the way it’s meant to be experienced! 🍷
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