8 Great Paris Restaurants That Won’t Break the Bank

This authentic Vietnamese restaurant has rightfully become a sensation, meaning reservations are required several days in advance. The menu features the must-order pork spring rolls, served with the renowned mam sauce, as well as an excellent pho soup, typical of Northern Vietnam.

David Bottreau, a longtime collaborator with Christian Constant, masterfully presents a robust repertoire of bistro classics in the latest version of his mentor's long-running restaurant: herring with pommes à l'huile; deviled eggs; scallops roasted in butter; blanquette de veau; and profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and gianduja chocolate.

Here, you will find a delightful fusion of bistro setting and vibrant, Creole-influenced cuisine. Described as "tropico-French" by Chef Julia de Laguarigue, it's a deservedly popular spot and therefore reservations are essential.

The dish descriptions here are simply mouthwatering: fricassée of sweetbreads with Paris mushrooms and vin jaune; kabocha gnocchi, aged mimolette, and curry; brioche perdu with salted-butter caramel and light cream. The restaurant embodies the spirit of a convivial wine bar with its counter and sharing-friendly tables.

The chef here offers family-style dishes that are affordable, simple, and comforting, yet meticulously prepared using fresh ingredients. Special mention for the roast chicken jus! For dessert, the île flottante with salted-butter caramel and roasted almonds is equally satisfying.

This quintessential Belleville bistro comes complete with a vintage bar, moleskin banquette, and mosaic tile flooring. Chef Léa delivers bistro dishes with a creative twist: julienne of potatoes, brown butter, puntarelle, and radicchio; or farm-raised roast chicken with spring onion sauce, turnips, carrots, and mushrooms.

Everything here is homemade and crafted by a family of three brothers. It’s exquisite cuisine with wonderful depth of flavour, such as crying tiger with spicy sauce, nem thadeua, Tom Kha soup, or coconut-milk-infused "rubies." If it gets crowded, head for Ama Siam, the adjoining operation offering a smaller selection of dishes.

In their small restaurant on a pedestrianised street in Montmartre (where more and more exciting dining options are flourishing), culinary enthusiasts Gabriel Gras Fernandez (savory) and Jorice Sardain (sweet) craft a smart, seasonal menu with meticulously prepared dishes: oyster mushrooms, coffee sabayon, parsley, and brioche; or volaille jaune with butternut squash, endive, and orange; plus a stunning dessert showcasing chocolate in multiple textures.