Dreaming of wandering the enchanting streets of Paris but concerned about dining costs? No worries! To help you plan your food budget and enjoy a stress-free journey, I’ve broken down various dining options, from budget-friendly eats to high-end experiences.
💡 Key Takeaways
Expect to spend around €45 per person daily on average for meals in Paris.
If you’re on a budget, you can get by with about €25 per day for food. For those looking to splurge a bit and with a more flexible budget, consider setting aside around €65 per day.
Now, let’s get into the details.
Average Cost for Breakfast in Paris
There is nothing like starting the day with a delicious breakfast!
You could go to a boulangerie, or even enjoy a continental breakfast in a hotel. For those with a sweet tooth, I recommend giving brunch-café a try to start the day off right.
| Breakfast ideas | Average price per person |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a bakery | €1.5-€3 |
| Pastry in a bakery | €1-€3 |
| Coffee in a café | €3 |
| Breakfast in an affordable hotel | €7-€8 |
| Breakfast in an average hotel | €13 |
| Breakfast in a luxurious hotel | €40 |
| Breakfast in a café | €5-€10 |
| Hearty breakfast in a brunch-café | €15-€25 |
Average Cost for Lunch in Paris
You still haven’t decided where to have lunch?
For a true Parisian experience, I recommend having lunch in a bistro or bouillon. If you’re on a tight budget, consider lunch offerings at a boulangerie. They usually feature a sandwich, drink, and dessert.
This average restaurant price range is only meant to be indicative. The price menu includes the first and main courses and dessert.
| Lunch ideas | Average price per person |
|---|---|
| Fast-food | €8 |
| Sandwich store | €6 |
| Lunch offering at a bakery | €12 |
| Parisian bouillon | €15 (first-courses not included) |
| Affordable restaurant | €19-€20 |
| Bistro | €39-€40 |
| Gourmet restaurant | €75-€80 |
Note: tipping is optional in France (included within the price of dishes). So, there’s no need to budget for tipping – unless you want to. More about tipping in France here.
Regarding drinks, waiters will generally bring you a free jar of water (carafe d’eau). However, if you wish to order a drink, you’ll need to budget for it.
Average Cost for Dinner in Paris
How about having dinner in a Parisian restaurant?
In the table below, I have listed the prices you can expect from different places to eat.
Unforgettable Experience: dinner cruise on the River Seine on the Bateaux-Mouches or Bateaux-Parisiens.
This average restaurant price range is only meant to be indicative. They usually include a menu set (first, main courses and dessert).
| Dinner ideas | Average price per person |
|---|---|
| Fast-food | €8 |
| Sandwich in a boulangeroie | €6 |
| Parisian "bouillon" | €15 |
| Affordable restaurants | €20 |
| Bistro | €20-€40 |
| Gourmet restaurant | €100 |
| Dinner Cruise on the Seine | €90-€150 |
Note: Again, tipping is optional in France.
Regarding drinks, waiters will generally bring you a free carafe and a glass of water. However, if you wish to order a drink, you’ll need to budget for it.
Average Cost for Groceries in Paris
If you’re staying in an aparthotel, or Airbnb, you might consider going grocery shopping during your time in Paris.
I listed the prices of the average food items in different Parisian supermarkets in the table below to give you an idea of the shopping budget for groceries.
| Grocery ideas | Average price |
|---|---|
| 1kg pasta | €1-€3 |
| 1kg rice | €2-€4 |
| 1kg potatoes | €2-€6 |
| 1kg lentils | €2-€4 |
| 1 broccoli | €3-€5 |
| 1kg apples | €2-€5 |
| 25g strawberries | €4-€7 |
| 250g cherry tomatoes | €1-€4 |
| 200g mushrooms | €2-€5 |
| 1kg chicken | €10-€13 |
| 1 thick slice of salmon | €6-€7 |
| 1 baguette | €1-€2 |
| 1L mineral water (33 oz.) | €1-€2 |
| 1L milk (33 oz.) | €1-€3 |
| 1 bottle wine | €9-€12 |
| 1 bottle of beer | €1-€3 |
| 1L fruit juice (33 oz.) | €1-€4 |
| 50cl de crème fraîche | €2-€4 |
| 1 oil bottle | €4-€6 |
| 1 box of 6 eggs | €2-€4 |
| 1 stick of butter | €2-€6 |
| 1kg flour | €2-€4 |
Note: The consumption tax is included within the indicated price for each item. So, no unpleasant surprise by the checkout: you only pay the exact price of your groceries.
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
