Imagine this scenario: You just finished up a long day exploring the Louvre, you’re ravenous and ready to grab something to eat, and you’re surrounded by a plethora of intriguing restaurants that are likely tourist traps. We’ve all been there before. In areas of the city that thrive off of the hustle and bustle of tourism, it’s genuinely difficult to find a restaurant that offers fair prices and a worthwhile meal. The streets are busy with cars and people, your brain has worked plenty when navigating new neighborhoods and taking in all that the Louvre has to offer, so why add to the chaos with a bummer of a meal?
If you’re dreaming of classic French dishes, maybe some French onion soup, a few freshly baked pastries, and traditional bistro meals, we’ve got you covered. There’s more around the Louvre than just that of course, so we’ve compiled a list of a little of everything we’d recommend. We’ve included suggestions that deliver a worthwhile dining experience rather than simply offering the lowest prices. And if you’re wondering where to eat in Paris on a budget, some of our recommended spots today will definitely answer that question.
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Where To Eat Near The Louvre Without Getting Ripped Off
We’ve compiled a list of ten different places here, but with our Guide, you’ll have access to over 550 recommendations of places to eat, drink, and visit in Paris, as well as dozens of articles on preparing for your trip. The Louvre is a LARGE landmark of Paris’ 1st arrondissement, so we’ve determined that “near” The Louvre is anywhere within a 15 minute walk. And since The Louvre is on the edge of the right bank (Rive Droite) we’ve included restaurants right, left, and center for you to check out.
Café Compagnon
Open daily from 8:00am-1:00pm, it’s safe to say they’ll be open before or after your visit to the Louvre. They have a refined aesthetic, an open-plan dining room, and a terrace to enjoy the scenery, along with a variety of tapas and meals to enjoy. They proudly make their chocolate on-site, and some of their wines come from their own estate in the Beaujolais region. Their menu changes seasonally, and they have vegetarian-friendly options. Did we mention they don’t require reservations? Get Directions
Chez carrie
Chez Carrie is an international combination of Californian and Mediterranean food located in the 2nd arrondissement. Regardless of what’s on the menu when you arrive, you HAVE to get the polenta fries. Unlike so many restaurants in Paris, Chez Carrie doesn't shy away from bold flavors and seasoning. The wine by the glass is a treat, but you could easily grab a bottle here. Prices are fair, hospitality is on point, the food is delicious for lunch or dinner, and they even offer weekend brunch. Get Directions
Ha Noi 1988
In between the left and right banks, still in the 1st arrondissement, is Ha Noi 1988. It’s a bright and colorful Vietnamese spot right off Pont Neuf. Drop in for their famous phô or some incredibly powerful coffee. Of course if you're looking for something a bit fresher, you might go for a bo bùn, one of our favorite Vietnamese dishes with rice noodles, fresh veggies, and the meat of your choice. Note that they close from 5pm-7pm so don't plan on eating dinner here at 6pm. Get Directions
Filakia, Petit Café d’Athènes
Over in the 2nd arrondissement, Filakia is a place we can’t get enough of. Casual, delicious, and with fair prices, this is where you find some great Greek street food. Their self-proclaimed star of the show is the gyros spit, which ensures that meats are cooked to perfection using time-honored, traditional methods. And for our beloved veggies out there, they have plenty of meat-free options as well. Get Directions
L’Avant Comptoir de la Terre
The cousin to L'Avant Comptoir du Marché, Terre is a fully indoor experience that has a much older, more neighborhoody vibe to it. It's warm, welcoming, and just a bit cramped, but in the best way possible. They are located in the 6th arrondissement just off of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, which is much closer to the Louvre than most people realize. Their French-style tapas are great for sharing, and they have a long wine list worth exploring. Get Directions
La Robe et Le Palais
Take a quick 10 minute walk down Rue de Rivoli to find a great French restaurant and natural wine bar in the center of Paris with owners that are passionate about the food they make and the wine they choose. They want you to have a good time and they really want to share the things they love. Grab a seasonal dish and trust them to lead you in the right direction on the wine selection. If you're in luck, they might even be in a good enough mood to pull out something truly unique from the cellar. Get Directions
La Taverne de Zhao Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Another great spot in the 6th arrondissement is La Taverne de Zhao. This is a more central location for one of our favorite Chinese restaurants in Paris, and there's a lot more seating here with the same great food. Whether you're looking for cold noodles, hot soup, some veggies, or fried chicken - it's all good here. Their pork buns are something decadent if your croissant experience so far hasn't delivered enough flakey goodness. Since La Taverne de Zhao has locations all over town, you could always use our guide to find a different location (along with other things to do) that’s a little more off the beaten path. Get Directions
Le Tambour
Probably our favorite classic French bistro in the center of Paris. Le Tambour is a cute corner bistro with the classic sidewalk seating over in the 2nd arrondissement. Not only is it picturesque, but their service is consistently friendly, and the offering of classic French dishes is solid. In our experience, the bavette (steak) or rotisserie chicken have both been memorable. Get Directions
Mannie
Looking for a quick veggie meal in the 1st arrondissement after all that arts and culture? Have you ever thought seasonal fast food could be a thing? Mannie answers those questions with reasonable prices and a 100% vegetarian menu. Since the menu is seasonable, it changes about 5 times a year, so no guarantees on what you'll find, but it will definitely be tasty. Get Directions
Restaurant Kunitoraya
Another gem in the 1st arrondissement is Restaurant Kunitoraya. This was the first udon bistro in Paris, and there’s a reason why it’s been around since 1991. There's a ton of natural light, counter seating that looks out to the street, and plenty of delicious things on the menu to try. Get Directions
After a list like this, how do you even pick where to go? Honestly, any of these spots would be worth the less than 15-minute walk it takes to get there after spending time at The Louvre. Pro-tip, having reliable service to help you navigate there is always a plus, so we trust the Ubigi E-sim to help with that. You’ll be avoiding the tourist traps and enjoying a delicious meal before you know it.
How To Spot A Tourist Trap Near The Louvre
What is a “tourist trap” anyway? It’s definitely not where the locals eat in Paris. Take the term literally… rather than get “trapped” spending too much money, sacrificing quality, and getting overwhelmed by other tourists, use our tips to avoid all of that. Realistically, a tourist trap is one of those “you know it when you see it” situations, but the below info might be able to help you identify them.
Menus in multiple languages
If they’re displaying a menu out front that’s not in French, they’re trying to catch the tourists rather than catering to the locals
Location
The “convenience” of a location close to a monument doesn’t mean the food itself is worth eating - in fact, it’s often the opposite (with exceptions of course!)
Higher Prices
The cost of real estate in those convenient locations is typically high, so the price of your meal is typically more about their rent than it is about the meal itself. And hey, if your customers don’t know any different, it’s easy to upcharge them.
Restaurant staff trying to wave you in
They’re luring you into the trap. Don’t fall for it!
As an important reminder, these areas also tend to have more incidents of pickpocketing. You’re surrounded by tourists that are overwhelmed (in a good way usually) by all the excitement, people, Parisian history, and novelty. But let’s be honest, most people don’t come to Paris to avoid these areas, so you likely won’t either. We love the products from Pacsafe, which keep those pickpockets out of your belongings. You can be a tourist while avoiding all the traps, and we are here to ensure you have some great adventures and great meals in the city we love so much. And for all your other trip planning needs, don’t forget to check out our guide for even more tips on how to make the most of your Parisian adventure.
