The 15 Most Affordable Paris Michelin-Starred Restaurants


 

Updated by Farah on 17/02/2022 and by Vanessa on April 2023.

For centuries France, and especially Paris, have been associated with exceptional cuisine. After all, the word gastronomy itself comes from the French!

The French institution called the Michelin Guide is regarded the world over as being THE voice of authority when it comes to which restaurants are truly incredible. So it should be no surprise that France has the largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. And, believe it or not, more than a quarter of those dreamy eateries are located in Paris.

Michelin-starred restaurants are often misinterpreted as being overly exclusive, or only for those with larger-than-life budgets. But I’m here to tell you that you CAN enjoy the best in French gastronomy, even if you’re on a budget! To help you out, I’ve made a list of the best Paris Michelin-starred restaurants that won’t break the bank.

Read also; A Guide To Michelin Restaurants In Paris

Septime *

Courtesy of lefooding.fr

First up on my list of Paris Michelin-starred restaurants that wont break the bank is Septime. This 1-star Michelin restaurant is located rather on the outskirts of the 11th arrondissement, in a decidedly unexpected location. But once you step inside you’ll feel right at home. The interior is modern, comfortable, well thought-out and ultimately very welcoming.

Chef Bertrand Grébaut spent years training under French greats like Jöel Rebuchon and Alain Passard. And his culinary training and expertise shines through at Septime. The imaginative menu focuses on modern, creative French cuisine, and changes often.

A fresh take on the basics is welcomed here, and has made Septime extremely popular with locals and first-timers alike. As with any Michelin-starred restaurant, lunch is a much more affordable option than dinner, and the portions are usually really comparable. At lunchtime, their 5 course carte blanche menu will set you back €60, and a wine pairing is an additional €45. At dinner time these figures climb but still dangle in the realm of affordability. We’re talking Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, after all! Dinner is €95 with a wine pairing for €60.

Whether you prefer to try lunch or dinner, make sure to plan ahead and reserve. Septime’s popularity is no joke, and they’re often booked up for 3 weeks plus in advance.

If you want to experience Paris in ways other than just the food, you might want to take a free Paris guided walking tour through one of the surrounding neighborhoods and get a true sense of the local way of life.

septime – 80 rue de charonne 75011
open M-F from 12-14:30 and from 19-23:00
weekends from 12-23:00 nonstop

Garance *

Courtesy of Garance

This next spot is truly a hidden gem. Up now on our list of Paris Michelin-starred restaurants that won’t break the bank is Garance. While Garance may be lesser-known than some of the other restaurants in this article, it is every bit as delicious!

Tucked away in the luxurious and largely residential 7th arrondissement, Garance is easily overlooked by the casual passerby. But it shouldn’t be missed.

Garance is composed of a dynamic duo, chef Guillaume Iskandar and sommelier Guillaume Muller. The latter of which previously trained under Alain Passard at his 3 star restaurant, l’Arpège.

Courtesy of Critique-Gastronomique.com

Their creative approach to extraordinary food and wines has a French and international influence. The menu at Garance is constantly evolving to incorporate the freshest seasonal ingredients. Plus everything comes fresh from the farm they maintain near Limousin, France.

With an extensive wine list, there’s a definite focus on wine pairings, and the combinations here are some of the best in the city. Dinner menus start at €70 and lunch menus are even more affordable.

Read also; 20 Best Restaurants in Paris in 2023

garance – 34 rue saint-dominique 75007
open weekdays from 12:15 to 14:00 and from 19:45 to 21:45

Antoine *

Courtesy of Parisinfo.com

Though Antoine has a distinctly, upscale Mediterranean feel, it’s difficult to classify this one star restaurant by just one cuisine. Fresh meat and seafood play a central role and revisited classics await you here. Influence from the Mediterranean culture and cuisine is evident, and dishes take on Spanish, French, even Italian nuances. Chef Thibault Sombardier hails from Lyon, in the South of France and successfully combines his passion for seafood and his hometown terroir.

The daily menu, focusing on “surf and turf” (or “terre et mer” as we could say in French) includes the catch of the day as well as a revisited classic. The winning combos at Antoine clearly demonstrate Sombardier’s passion and skill for both cuisines.

This sophisticated cadre in the 16th arrondissement lets you enjoy a view of the Eiffel Tower while you dine. Antoine is your picture perfect Michelin-starred restaurant, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. Rather quite the opposite.  A meal here definitely won’t break the bank. With full lunch menus costing just €49, you really can’t beat the prices at Antoine. And did I mention the view? This place is a win-win in my book.

Just be sure to make a reservation!

antoine – 10 avenue de new york 75116
open weekdays from 12:30 to 13:30 and from 19:30 to 21:30

Automne *

Image from Automne’s website.

Automne is headed by Japanese chef Nobuyuki Akishige and is located in the 11th arrondissement. At this simple bistro, Akishige creates beautiful French dishes with a twist with fresh, seasonal top-notch ingredients. Try roast duck breast, parsley root purée and kalamata olives or the tasting menu at a reasonable price tag! 

automne – 11 Rue Richard Lenoir, 75011 Paris
open Wed-Sun 12-14.30 and 19:30-22:30; closed mondays & tuesdays

Benoit *

Image sourced from Benoit’s website

This cute, vintage style classic bistro, located not far from the Hotel de Ville, is supervised by Alain Ducasse and serves traditional French cuisine. Founded in 1912, this restaurant enjoys one Michelin star and is one of the oldest in the city.

It is one of Paris’ favourite places for French cuisine. Enjoy dishes such as Lucullus beef tongue, snails in their shells and pâté en croûte in a lively and friendly environment. Don’t forget to try their wine selection from their 21 wines.

benoit – 20 Rue Saint-Martin, 75004 Paris
open everyday 12-14.30 and 19:30-22:30pm

Restaurant Anne *

Image sourced from the Michelin Guide

This restaurant, located in Le Pavillon de la Reine, serves classic French cuisine in intimate, cozy settings. Its name is based on Anne of Austria, Queen of France and wife to Louis XIII and menu headed by chef Mathieu Pacaud.

Rated one Michelin star, this place has a library lounge and a courtyard garden for a intimate and romantic environment. A good selection of wines accompanies the contemporary French dishes so try a few for sure. Expect to pay between 39 -150 EUR, with lunch being the best bang for your bucks with an entree, meal of choice and dessert, all for 39€.

anne – 28 place des Vosges, Paris, 75003
open Wed-Sun lunch 12:30-14.00: snacking menu from 15:00-18:00pm and dinner from 19:00-10:00; closed mondays & tuesdays

Le Taillevent **

Courtesy of Le Taillevent

Le Taillevent is the the only two-starred place in my list of Paris Michelin-starred restaurants that won’t break the bank. Not only does chef David Bizet of Le Taillevent possess an exceptional culinary prowess, but the restaurant’s luxurious setting will make you feel like royalty.

Located in the elegant 8th arrondissement, le Taillevent suits the area perfectly. Wood paneling, antique accents and gold leaf portraits decorate the interior of this beautifully converted 19th-century mansion. Before becoming a Michelin-stared restaurant, the mansion belonged to the Duke de Morny; a prominent politician and half-brother of Napoleon! The royal touches have been preserved, and the food is fit for a King (or Queen) too.

Classic French dishes with creative new touches make up the menu at le Taillevent. Every dish is artfully constructed and well thought out, which makes for a delicious and oh so aesthetically pleasing meal. Traditional dishes like braised duck are updated with exciting new flavors like cherry blossom.

Courtesy of Le Taillevent

The prices here are a little steeper than some of the other Paris Michelin-starred restaurants that won’t break the bank, but that’s because it has two stars! Though it’s a bit pricier, the location is divine and the food is excellent. Lunch still falls into the affordable category at €90 for a full menu. And don’t forget to check out the wine list, they feature more than 2,800 wines and spirits to choose from!

For those seeking more culinary adventures in Paris, consider exploring the city’s diverse food scene through a captivating Paris food tour.

Read also; The Most Romantic Restaurants in Paris.

le taillevent – 15 rue lamennais 75008
open weekdays from 12:15-14:00 and from 19:15 to 22:00

Alléno –  Pavillon Ledoyen ***

Courtesy of Michelin Guide

Alright, well my list of Paris Michelin-starred restaurants that won’t break the bank, wouldn’t be complete unless a three-star restaurant was included. As fate would have it, one of the best (and most affordable) 3-star Michelin restaurants is also in amazing setting.

Welcome to Alléno, the namesake of legendary starred Michelin Chef, Yannick Alléno. Tucked away inside the glamorous Pavillon Ledoyen is one of the city’s finest gastronomic restaurants.

Chef Alléno plays with flavors from around the world to create complex, one of a kind meals. The menu changes regularly, but each rendition is just as good as the last. Dinner prices are à la carte, but they do offer a set menu at lunchtime. Lunch will set you back €135 euros before drinks, but it’s more than worth it for an exceptional 3-star Michelin experience.

Courtesy of Michelin Guide

Though you’re just a few meters from the Champs-Elysées, you would never guess it! The restaurant’s sophisticated touches create a more intimate feeling, despite the huge space. And tall bay windows look out onto the lush garden surrounding the Pavillon.

Again, reservations are recommended, and a smart casual dress code is enforced here.

Alléno pavillon ledoyen – 8 avenue dutuit 75008
open weekdays from 19:30-22:00
lunch on Saturdays from 12:00-14:00

Auguste*

Photo by Michelle Riach from Pexels

The exquisite contemporary design with deceptively simple lines emanates an unexpected serenity in Gal Orieux’s small restaurant, which seats only 30 people. Although rated a one-star, it’s a sophisticated and “classy” setting in which to taste judiciously modern food such as “black pearl” cupped oysters, seawater jelly, and horseradish mousse.

A delectably diversified meal prepared with high-quality ingredients. In terms of wine, it provides an opportunity to sample something new at a reasonable price. If you’re seeking a romantic fine dining experience at this little restaurant, make a beeline for the patio.

The young kitchen crew works hard to create unique recipes that take influence from all across the world. They enjoy incorporating fruit in various forms to provide added freshness to their products. They’re always thinking outside the box, whether it’s a unique new twist on steak tartare or stingray with a calamansi sauce.

Read also; 10 Best Neighborhoods for Food in Paris

54 RUE DE BOURGOGNE, 75007 PARIS, FRANCE
Open tue-fri and mon; 12-2 pm and 7:30-10:30 pm

La Truffière*

Photo by Terje Sollie from Pexels

This 17th-century building in the center of historical Paris has a lot of charm and so does the food! A year-round special menu features onion soup with a twist, venison fillet, quince, watercress, Likouala pepper, and (as the name suggests) truffles. The magnificent wine list and an extensive assortment of cheeses and digestifs are also highlights of this traditional business. 

It should come as no surprise that truffles lie at the core of Chef Antoine Coutier’s wonderful small cafe. The six-course truffle meal in this one-star costs more than €100 (£85), but the three-course lunch menu is less than half the price. The menu changes weekly.

4 RUE BLAINVILLE, 75005 PARIS, FRANCE
Open tue-wed; 6:30-9:15 pm and thur-sat; 12-1:15 pm, 6:30-9:15 pm

La Table d’Eugène*

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Come eat at La Table d’Eugène in Paris’s 18th arrondissement, a restaurant where seasonal ingredients, herbs, spices, and vegetables take center stage. A site where dedicated people seek to show that “cooking is much more than just recipes,” as famed Chef Alain Chapel once said. Even before receiving its well-deserved Michelin star, La Table d’Eugène was one of the most well-liked restaurants in Paris. In April 2011, the New York Times named the restaurant as one of four Paris restaurants worth a metro ride.

La Table d’Eugène is all about excellent cuisine made from simple ingredients, with impeccable presentation. Geoffroy Maillard and François Vaudeschamps, two excellent chefs whose specialties include onglet de boeuf (hanging steak) and expertly cooked monkfish with black curry, work in the Michelin-starred kitchen. Their risotto with porcini mushrooms (cèpes in French) will have you talking for months.

18 RUE ROYALE, 69001 LYON, FRANCE
Open tue-mon; 7-11 pm and closed on Sundays

Alan Geeam Restaurant*

Photo by Rene Asmussen from Pexels

The place is intimate and soberly decorated; the sofas are custom-made, the style is uncluttered, and the table art is particularly neat. The mood of the location corresponds to the character of the man: elegance, tranquillity, and simplicity.

The American ideal is well-known, but Alan Geaam prefers the French version! After fleeing his native Lebanon at the age of ten and settling in the United States with his family, he traveled to Paris at the age of 24 with only one goal in mind: to make his place in the world of gastronomy, his true passion. He began by washing dishes, then became a chef’s apprentice before enrolling in a cooking school and ascending the gourmet ladder.

He has sprung onto the culinary world now that he is at the helm of his own restaurant, bringing together everything he has learned over the years. His innovative dishes deftly integrate France’s rich tradition with hints from Lebanon a true cultural melting pot, and his dedication and passion shine through in every meal. You’ll have a high-end eating experience in this one-star restaurant.

Read also; The Most Famous Restaurants in Paris

19 RUE LAURISTON, 75016 PARIS, FRANCE
open tue-fri; 12-2 pm and 7:30-9:30 pm

Dominique Bouchet*

Photo by Rene Asmussen from Pexels

Dominique Bouchet is a short walk from Parc Monceau and is led by one of Paris’ most renowned chefs. Dominique Bouchet previously oversaw the kitchens of Paris’ legendary Tour d’Argent and Hôtel de Crillon. After founding his own restaurant in Paris, he expanded to Tokyo, a city with which he has had a long association.

Dominique Bouchet reconstructs the classic forms he has pursued throughout his career in a new way. He communicates his ideas through seasonal Japanese foods, paying respect to Japan as a terroir. At this Michelin-starred restaurant, refined French techniques meet country-style food.

Main courses include a seven-hour braised leg of lamb in a red wine sauce and ris de veau (sweetbread) with green asparagus. Its sleek and welcoming contemporary decor is ideal for a lengthy lunch with friends over a bottle (or three) of French wine.

11 rue Treilhard, 75008 Paris France

ACCENTS table bourse*

Photo by Mat Brown from Pexels

When you visit a Michelin-starred restaurant, you pick dining as an experience, like a theme park for food. Everything is perfect, from the cuisine to the service and the pairings and the creativity is out of this world. The entire service and presentation of the cuisine is more akin to a theater than a restaurant! Accents Table Bourse is a fantastic option among them. This one Michelin Star is worth a stop!

The first and most important reason is, of course, the cuisine. The second reason to choose this restaurant is the price: for a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris, the set menu is reasonably priced (from 52€ for lunch to 100€ for supper). The third and most important reason is the location: Accents is in the heart of Paris, at Place de la Bourse (near Pinault Collection).

24 RUE FEYDEAU, 75002 PARIS, FRANCE
Open tue-sat; 12-2 pm and 7-10 pm

Contraste*

Photo by Rachel Claire from Pexels

Why Contraste? This one-star restaurant brings together two childhood friends, one from Brittany, Erwan Ledru, and one from Perpignan, Kevin de Porre. Secondly, the premises mix a beautiful historical ambiance offset by contemporary features; and finally, a nod to one of the best Selosse champagne vintages.

The brief menu (flanked by a midday menu and a tasting menu) reveals contemporary, careful, flavorful cuisine made with top-tier seasonal ingredients. The surf and turf combos (Brittany lobster and Sarrazin wheat; monkfish, shellfish, and Spanish chorizo or Spanish pork and Cancale oysters) are particularly appealing.

Read also; The Best Healthy Restaurants in Paris

18 RUE D’ANJOU, 75008 PARIS, FRANCE
Open mon-fri; 12-2 pm and 7:30-10:30 pm

Some Helpful Tips

The best piece of advice I can give you when trying to find a Paris Michelin-starred restaurant that won’t break the bank, is to go for lunch. Often times, these restaurants have very similar or even identical menus at lunchtime. And at a fraction of the price you’ll pay for dinner. Wine pairings are also more affordable in the afternoon.

Another tip is to go during the week. The weekday time slots are far less busy than on the weekend. So you’ll receive better and more attentive service.

Check if there’s a dress code, before going! You don’t want to show up for your reservation only to be over or under dressed. This kind of information is easy to find on the restaurants website. Generally, smart casual is fine. For fancier places, men should add a suit jacket.

Lastly, plan ahead and reserve. Dining at a Parisian gastronomic restaurant is one of the must-do activities for many visitors. And the places listed in this article are pretty popular. To ensure you get a place, plan on reserving at least a few weeks in advance.

What is the Cheapest Michelin 3-star restaurant?

Kei ***

Image sourced from the Michelin Guide’s website

This haute French high-end restaurant serves exceptional cuisine in a beautiful space. Pair the artfully presented plates with beautiful European wines and finish off with a special dessert by a talented pastry chef.

Japanese-born chef Kei Kobayashi cooks up fine cuisine with both Japanese and French influences. A lunch menu will cost you 85 € which is probably the cheapest option as far as 3-star Michelin restaurants in Paris are concerned.

RESTAURANT KEI – 5 rue du Coq-Héron, Paris, 75001
open Tuesday to Saturday (except Thursday noon) from 12:30 to 13:15 (last order)and from 19:45 to 20:45 (last order)

I hope you’ll get the chance to try some of these incredible restaurants. See you soon in Paris and bon appétit!

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