With the Summer Olympic Games set to kick off in Paris this week, the French Capital will welcome over 15 million guests to watch the greatest sporting event in the world. Paris is the capital of fine dining and with so many travelers looking for good spots to eat, there are some Michelin-starred restaurants within budget in the city.
Traveling for the Olympics can be a pricey business, but partaking in local cultural activities is also what travel is all about. We all need to eat, supporters and athletes alike and as the Gastronomic Meal of the French is on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, it would be unfortunate to visit Paris and not get to enjoy the best of French cuisine.
Paris has the second highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants for a city (behind Tokyo), but the average price of a starred meal in the city comes in at €210 ($228), which may not be within everyone’s budget. There are cheaper options available and if you’re willing to eat lunch instead of dinner, the Michelin star category becomes altogether more affordable. Here are the cheapest Michelin star meals in Paris for your time at the Olympics.
Lunch
1. Benoit: €32-€42
French bistro dining with over a century of history attached to one of the greatest names in world gastronomy, Alain Ducasse. What's not to love? A wide range of processes on the menu here and prices can go north considerably at dinner, but lunch is a very affordable affair with options of between €32 for two courses and €42 for a full three-course meal.
Address: 20 Rue Saint-Martin, 75004 Paris (near Tour Saint-Jacques)
2. Quinsou: €40-€58
Helmed by chef Antonin Bonnet, the restaurant sits across from the French culinary school École Grégoire-Ferrandi. You can find high quality French cuisine here at a reasonable price with a two-course lunch menu priced at €40 and the three-course lunch priced at €58.
Address: 33 Rue de l’Abbé Grégoire, 75006 Paris
3. Auguste: €47
This restaurant takes inspiration from Auguste Escoffier’s Culinary Guide and therefore offers a very classic approach to French fine dining. The prices are not exorbitant, even though chef Gaël Orieux would be perfectly within his rights to charge more. For those looking to experience a classic French gastronomic lunch experience, this is an affordable and delicious option.
Address: 54 Rue de Bourgogne, 75007 Paris (near Musée Rodin)
Dinner
The evening meal sees a significant hike in prices, as is to be expected, but there are some affordable options in the city. Here are the top three cheapest Michelin-starred dinners in Paris this summer.
1. Tomy & Co: €59
Chef Tomy Gousset has set a Summer Olympics Menu at Tomy & Co where you can enjoy exceptional classic French cuisine with a modern twist, A family friendly, relaxed atmosphere means kids are welcome, dining for only €28.
Address: 22 Rue Surcouf, 75007 Paris (near Hôtel des Invalides)
2. Fleur de Pavé: €75
The inventive French cuisine of chef Sylvain Sendra draws on Mediterranean, Asian, and South American influences. The €75 dinner option operates only during the week and not at weekends, so planning is advised.
Address: 5 Rue Paul Lelong, 75002 Paris (near Jardin du Palais Royal)
3. Jacques Faussat: €80
Enjoy classic modern French cuisine at Jacques Faussat, where diners can choose an affordable three-course meal priced at €80 or the four-course discovery menu priced at €110.
The info on the cheapest Michelin-starred meals in Paris during the Olympics was provided by Chef’s Pencil. For the full mapped restaurant list of affordable Michelin Star meals in Paris click here.
