Oct 8th, 2019, 12:46 PM

The Student Foodies Guide to a Cheap Meal

By Jessica Cruz
"HEALTHY FOOD LOGO DESIGN" by Julieta Mir // Creative Commons
Healthy Food. Image Credit: by Julieta Mir
7 places beating the Parisian price

France has never been known for its worldly culinary scene. The high-end French food may be desired by some, but as an unemployed college student, it wasn't for me. When I came to Paris I was disappointed by the lack of easily accessible, affordable, eclectic food choices. And so with an empty stomach, and 10 Euros I made my way through the streets of Paris to find food that would fit my appetite and my bank account.  

The first thing I knew what I wasn’t looking for was French food. But what I was in search for was somewhere with an atmosphere. I wanted lofi music blasting, and weird paintings on the walls, and charismatic waiters. I wanted to feel comfortable in the restaurant. Next, the big seller, it needed to be affordable.

And so here it is, the 7 weirdest, pretty affordable, cool, random places I think AUP students could use in their life. 

 

IPPUDO 

■14 Rue Grégoirede Tours, 75006 Paris

■74 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau

■6 place Bonsergent

$$ 

Vegetarian-Friendly 

Now I know what you’re all thinking, there's a million ramen places in Paris, why is this one special? Here's the seller, Ippudo offers vegetarian ramen!! This is possibly one of the hardest things to come by, due to the fact that most ramen is made in a beef broth. But not only does Ippudo offer vegetarian ramen, but it also has a wide variety of other dishes ranging from delicious appetizers, rice bowls, and more.

The seating inside is warm, and crowded, making it enjoyable on those cold winter nights. All 3 locations of Ippudo are placed in popular neighborhoods, Saint Germain, Republique, and near the Louvre so after a nice bowl of ramen and a cup of hot sake, you can head over and walk around your chosen neighborhood.  



 

LA FELICITA 

■5 Parvis Alan Turing, 75013 Paris

$$

Vegetarian-Friendly 

Now this one is a personal favorite. If you know me, then you have most definitely heard me annoyingly go on and on about how much I love this place. Located in the 13th arrondissement, La Felicita offers guests a large collection of poke bowl food trucks, brick oven pizza, authentic Italian pasta, juicy burgers and fries, beer, cocktails and wine bottles up the wazoo. And the best part is, it’s all indoors under a colorful terrarium type structure. There’s a small dance floor that features different types of themed nights, and a DJ (one night I went, the dance floor got turned into a rollerblading rink!!!). Inside there are thousands of places to sit in each area with a different theme. Just grab your preferred food, order your cocktails, sit and mange!

If you plan on going during the weekend, I recommend arriving early around 6pm to stake out your table, as food isn’t served until 7pm and if you come after that the chances of getting a table are slim!

 

*Side note: The bathrooms are a must-see. Trust me… 

 

CHEZ LE LIBANAIS 

■35 Rue Saint-Andrédes Arts, 75006 Paris

$

Vegetarian-Friendly 

Chez Le Libanais is a small Lebanese establishment with about 5 or 6 seats inside, but don't let the small inside fool you. If you arrive after 20h, be prepared for a crowd. When you first arrive you have no clue where the line starts or ends, as the masses of bodies are scattered and spilling into the street. But the moment you step in you'll be greeted by two men in a kitchen the size of a bathroom. Once you've ordered now you join the masses and wait for them to call your name. This falafel place is not only beyond cheap (4 Euros for a thick one) but the people who work there are beyond kind, making the whole 5-10 minute wait quite the experience.  If you're looking for a more slow-paced meal, down the street a few steps away is their formal sit down restaurant.

I may be biased since I do live close, but if you ever find yourself wandering around near Pont Neufand suddenly are craving Lebanese food late at night,  you can thank me later. 



 

EL NOPAL

■3 Rue EugèneVarlin, 75010 (only Take-away)

■5 Rue Duperré, 75009 (Sit Down)

$

Vegetarian-Friendly 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

💕🤪🌮TACO TUESDAY🌮🤪💕 Taquitos a solo 1,90€ en el Canal St. Martin!!!

A post shared by Tacos & Burrones, El Nopal (@elnopalparis) on

El Nopal without a doubt holds a very special place in my heart. The quaint Mexican restaurant was one of the first places in Paris that I was able to eat an actual, authentic taco (no offense to Boca-Mexa, you do me well in my times of need). El Nopal, is a small taqueria with a robust menu. The quality of this Mexican food is not to be missed during your time in Paris. Not to mention their Taco Tuesday deal that is a steal and a half. The taqueria has two locations, one for a quick ά emporter and a second for a nice sit-down. On the menu, you’ll find an array of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, guacamole, nachos and so on. And of course, it is vegetarian-friendly! Grab your variety of tacos, your Modello, and sit by the park and enjoy! 



 

LA BIBIMERIE 

■1 Rue Lucien Sampaix, 75010 Paris

$$

Vegetarian Friendly 

It wasn’t until this semester when I discovered this really great restaurant. La Bibimerie is a Korean barbeque type establishment, offering a variety of dishes (with and without meat). They make the food right in the front of the restaurant, with seating surrounding the “kitchen”. Lining one of the walls is past photos customers have taken of their dishes, then across from that is a graffiti mural done by the Parisian street artist “Chaq”. The restaurant is great during mid to late afternoon before they close at 3, I often go for a dish and to do work. They're re-open at 19h and the place fills quickly! I highly recommend trying out their plum wine, and any and all of their dishes!



 

YITHÉ

■49 Boulevard de Sébastopol, Paris 75001 

$

This particular recommendation isn’t specifically food, instead, it’s Bubble tea. Now I must admit, I had never had bubble tea until I came to Paris… so my taste buds may be juvenile to the bubble tea sphere. But taste aside, the specific establishment offers a unique setting to dive into. For lack of a better word, the bubble tea cafe is futuristic with a wide set of options for what to order. The cafe also offers unique desserts and a variety of other drinks. The cost of a bubble tea is slightly more expensive with a tea costing between four to six Euros. But the drinks are much larger than the average size and oh so delicious. 



 

LAVOMATIC

■30 Rue René Boulanger, 75010 Paris 

$$

To continue with the theme of drinks, Lavomaticis one of my favorite places to bring visiting friends. The cocktail bar is an undetected speakeasy located within a laundromat, where you enter the bar through a washing machine. Now for this specific cocktail bar, you are most definitely paying for the environment. Meaning the cocktail prices are a little high but the swings in the back of the bar hanging from the ceiling are worth it. 

The bar has low ceilings, packed wall to wall, with small, tall, long tables scattered across the room, voices clashing into a warm symphony and low lights setting a tone for the night. 

Hop on a swing with your Moscow mule and dangle your feet and enjoy it!

 

All seven of these restaurants will offer a different type of atmosphere and meal that will please any college students' stomach and wallet. Next time you aren't sure where to eat, take a look at the list, grab a friend and enjoy!