Like any city with a gastronomic landscape as vibrant as Paris’, food prices will be one of the key factors to consider when creating your travel budget. The average cost of food in Paris per day is tricky to determine, but typically, it depends on the arrondissement and restaurant you choose.
When I began my Paris food tours, I quickly learned that while it’s easy to splurge and spend lots of money on food, there are also plenty of budget-friendly options. Naturally, grabbing lunch near the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre will be significantly costlier than dining in a quieter city center spot!
To help you budget accordingly for your Parisian adventure, I’ve put together a breakdown of the average cost of food in Paris per day. This way, you can save money without missing out on the top foodie experiences and must-try foods in Paris!
As with many cities in Europe, breakfast in Paris is a super casual and often fast-paced affair. Most Parisians start their day with a time-honored pairing of coffee and croissants. Though I sometimes crave a heartier breakfast, I can’t fault this classic combination.
Bakeries should be your go-to if you’re on a budget, as a croissant will usually cost between €1 (~$1.10) and €2 (~$2.20). As for your morning caffeine fix, an espresso will set you back around €1 (~$1.10), while a café crème or most coffees with milk will be about €2 (~$2.20) or €2.50 (~$2.70).
A grab-and-go bakery breakfast will typically cost between €2 (~$2.20) and €4.50 (~$4.90). If you choose to sit down rather than get your order to go, these prices can be over twice as high. Larger dishes in brunch-style spots often cost between €10 (~$10.90) and €20 (~$21.80).
In general, breakfast can cost an average of €6 (~$6.50).
I’ve snagged some excellent deals in a bunch of different restaurants in Paris by stopping by in time for the lunch menu. Keep your eyes peeled for the multi-course midday meals, known as formule, which usually consists of a fixed menu available between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
This deal often comes in at around €25 (~$27) for three courses, and if you’ve found an especially affordable establishment, a glass of wine may be included. For something smaller, such as one course or the daily special, dubbed the plat du jour, expect to pay around €15 (~$16.40).
These prices may be slightly higher in mid-range restaurants and will likely be two or three times as much in an upscale eatery. Conversely, a filled baguette or sandwich in a boulangerie is a much cheaper option, generally costing about €6 (~$6.60).
The average cost of lunch in Paris per day is around €20-25 (~ $22-27) for a meal with drink.
In most cases, I’ve found dinner to be the most expensive daily meal in Paris. Whether you choose a modest restaurant or a gourmet spot, you’ll likely spend more on your evening meal than you will on breakfast or lunch.
Prices for a dish in a high-end establishment start from around €20 (~$22). A three-course dinner in a more upmarket bistro can cost over €100 (~$109).
If you were to visit one of the mid-range restaurants we go to on my Montmartre food tours, a meal would cost between €20 (~$22) and €25 (~$27.50).
You can find starters like soups for around €4 (~$4.50), main plates for about €10 (~$11.00), and desserts priced at €4 (~$4.50). Say you wanted to add a drink to your bill; you could get one for roughly €2 (~$2.20).
The average cost of dinner in Paris is €30-35 (~$33-39).
After a busy day of sightseeing or browsing the Paris boutiques, there’s no better way to unwind for the evening than with a drink or aperitivo. In Paris, France, this pre-dinner drink is commonly called an apéritif.
As drink prices in euros go, it’s a challenge to find an alcoholic beverage in Paris that’s as wallet-friendly as wine. The ultimate bargains can be found in grocery and convenience stores, where bottles go for as little as €3 (~$3.30)! In a laid-back bar, I’ve got a glass for around €5 (~$5.40).
Beer isn’t overly popular in France, and pints of local brews generally go for about €7 (~$7.60). International alternatives are often more expensive, and I’ve occasionally paid over €10 (~$10.90) for imported beers. Spirits are also pricey, and it’s tough to find cocktails for less than €12 (~$13.10).
Non-alcoholic drinks like sodas tend to cost around €3.50 (~$3.80). However, if you’re near the likes of the Palace of Versailles or the Place de la Bastille, prices can rise quickly.
Unlike in Italy, where small snacking plates are served as part of the aperitivo experience, an apéritif won’t necessarily come with food. In some cases, though, the bar you choose may include olives, nuts, or crackers with your drink.
On average, an alcoholic beverage in a bar or restaurant in Paris will range between €5 (~$5.40) and €12 (~$13.10).
The City of Love certainly isn’t considered one of the cheaper European cities. Yet the average cost of food in Paris per day may not be as high as you’d expect; it can actually be pretty affordable when you plan ahead.
As such, if you choose Michelin-star eateries near Notre Dame or along the Seine, expect to fork out a lot more money than if you stick to grocery stores and low-key bistros! With these average prices in mind, you can decide on a budget that suits your preferences.
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