What’s for Dinner? Surviving Paris on a Student’s Budget

Every semester, thousands of college students head off to Paris to study abroad.  With tuition rates at all-time highs, Dollar low against the Euro and Parisian prices floating higher than the Seine Flood of 1910, students will be wondering how to feed themselves on a student’s budget in a city known more for fine dining than fast food.

Fortunately, with a little preparation and the right attitude about eating efficiently, there are techniques to properly grub in Paris on a school cafeteria budget.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by jonmcalister

Rue

Of course, explore the street grub.  More specifically, the crepe stands across the city offer hunger eliminating creations for about five Euros each.  Choose stands where crepes are made to order on the large round cookers. The vendor will fold your Nutella or ham and cheese creation for easy portability.

Also, drop by the outdoor windows of the smaller Greek and Middle Eastern eateries in the pedestrian area near Place St. Michel on Left Bank.  Buying at to-go windows is usually cheaper than table dining.  For example, five Euros will serve up chicken shawarma sandwiches with chopped tomatoes and yogurt sauce.

In addition, across the Seine in the Fourth Arrondissement, check out the old Jewish quarter near Rue des Rosiers for affordable falafel eateries.

Falafel / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Lara604

Parisian Asian

Don’t forget about Parisian Asian food. While not as notable as some Chinatowns, Paris has its own dim sum for small sums.  Wheeled around the restaurant in small carts, you only purchase food that interests your table.

In the same area along Rue Belleville where the Tenth and Nineteenth Arrondissement meet, you’ll find small Vietnamese restaurants.  These noodle dishes and Vietnamese sandwiches are both satisfying and delicious choices which provide a nice change of palate from everyday fare.

French Pizza

Most of the Parisian pizza restaurants feature wood-fired ovens and thin crispy crusts.  Be sure to try the piquant oil served on the side, but take it easy — it packs a punch!

Market Streets

The Parisian way is to shop by specialty store, including cheese from the fromagerie, bread from the boulangerie, deli-style meats from the charcuterie and fruits from the marchand de fruits.  Classic baguettes are price controlled in France and generally cost less than one Euro.  You can also purchase half baguettes — just ask.  By buying in sandwich-sized quantities, and assembling yourself, you’ll have a delicious and fresh meal on the cheap.

Pizza / Photo by admin

Street Markets (Not to be confused with Market Streets)

Different from market streets, with their rows of brick and mortar specialty shops, Paris also abounds with tented or open air street markets where vendors set up shop certain days of the week, usually in the morning.  Here you’ll find spice vendors, fresh produce, nuts, prepared meats, and much more.

Treat Yourself

To reward yourself for thrifty spending and hitting the books, treat yourself to a restaurant meal now and then.  Restaurant Chartier on 7 Rue Faubourg Monmartre in the Ninth Arrondissement is a good start.  For about 15 Euros you will be dished up memorable grub by servers in Parisian style, long, white aprons.

When university is over and you’ve parlayed your hard earned diploma into a corner office, you’ll find yourself in Paris one evening reminiscing with your former roommate over a bottle of champagne at the Tour d’Argent.  When the chateaubriand arrives at the table, you can reminiscence about the affordable rotisserie chicken you used to buy on the Rue des Martyrs!

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Tags: all time highs, asian food, chicken shawarma, chinatowns, chopped tomatoes, delicious choices, falafel, french pizza, jewish quarter, left bank, noodle dishes, nutella, pedestrian area, pizza restaurants, rue des rosiers, school cafeteria, tuition rates, vietnamese restaurants, vietnamese sandwiches, wood fired ovens

Category: Cities, Cities