Affordable Michelin-Starred Eats in Paris During the Summer Olympics
The Summer Olympics are just around the corner, with the much-awaited Opening Ceremony scheduled this Friday along the scenic Seine river—a first in Olympic history for the ceremony to take place outside a stadium.
Over 15 million visitors are expected to flock to Paris for the Summer Games. While the spotlight is on the world’s athletes, it would be a pity to miss out on the exquisite Parisian culture and cuisine that define the French capital.
To experience the best of Paris, head to one of its famous Michelin restaurants. Paris boasts the second highest number of Michelin restaurants in the world so there are plenty of amazing restaurants to choose from. However, dining at a Parisian Michelin restaurant can be pricey; our recent study found Paris among the most expensive cities globally for fine dining, with an average Michelin meal costing €210.
It costs on average €210 to dine out at a Michelin restaurant in Paris.
But don’t worry—you can still find hidden gems in Paris that offer a sensational Michelin dining experience at a more affordable price. Our team has researched the most affordable Michelin lunch and dinner options in Paris during the Summer Olympics. For this reason, we only included restaurants where reservations are still available for the next couple of weeks.
Surprisingly, some of the most affordable Parisian Michelin restaurants are closed during the Olympics, and others have introduced higher-priced Olympic menus. Nevertheless, several restaurants offer reasonably priced lunch menus below €60 per person, typically as a prix fixe menu with two or three courses.
If you’re one of the 15 million visitors to Paris, bookmark this list and make a reservation as soon as possible.
1. Benoit: €32-€42
Address: 20 Rue Saint-Martin, 75004 Paris (near Tour Saint-Jacques)
Benoit, a traditional bistro with over 100 years of history, is part of the Alain Ducasse family of restaurants and a cherished spot for both locals and visitors seeking an authentic Parisian bistro experience. Situated at 20 Rue Saint-Martin, near the Town Hall, this historic bistro offers a quintessential Parisian dining experience with classic French dishes prepared meticulously.
Benoit is the most affordable Michelin restaurant in Paris with the lunch menu priced between €32 (two courses) and €42 for a full three-course meal.
2. Quinsou: €40-€58
Address: 33 Rue de l’Abbé Grégoire, 75006 Paris
Situated just across École Grégoire-Ferrandi, the famous French culinary school, Quinsou is a contemporary restaurant in Paris, helmed by Chef Antonin Bonnet. Known for its inventive, yet unpretentious take on artisanal cuisine and focus on seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients, Quinsou is a fantastic choice for a Parisian lunch.
For lunch, you can opt between a two-course menu priced at €40 and the three-course meal priced at €58.
3. Auguste: €47
Address: 54 Rue de Bourgogne, 75007 Paris (near Musée Rodin)
Chef Gaël Orieux’s restaurant, Auguste, is celebrated for its inventive take on traditional French cuisine. Known for providing a dining experience that is both refined and adventurous, Auguste highlights the finest seasonal ingredients in innovative ways, reflecting Orieux’s experience with culinary legends like Paul Bocuse and Alain Ducasse.
Established in 2004, Auguste takes inspiration from the legendary Auguste Escoffier’s Culinary Guide. Located in a historic neighborhood near the Rodin Museum and the dome of the Invalides, the restaurant embodies the timeless elegance of old Paris.
The restaurant’s popular lunch menu, priced at €47, consists of a three-course meal and highlights seasonal ingredients and a blend of classic and contemporary techniques.
Besides the three restaurants highlighted above, there are nine other Michelin restaurants where lunch is priced around 50 euros. Check out the map above for more details.
Affordable Michelin Dinner Choices in Paris During the Summer Olympics
If you’re looking to dine out at a Michelin restaurant in Paris during the Olympic Games, there are a few affordable yet still excellent options where the prix fixe or tasting menu is well below the city’s €210 per person average.
1. Fleur de Pavé: Starting at $75
Address: 5 Rue Paul Lelong, 75002 Paris (near Jardin du Palais Royal)
Situated in the heart of Paris, Fleur de Pavé provides a delightful dining experience crafted by Chef Sylvain Sendra. The restaurant features an inventive fusion of French, Mediterranean, Asian, and South American influences, utilizing the finest seasonal ingredients from local markets. Chef Sendra’s passion for travel and cuisine shines through in his dishes, which are inspired by his visits to Peru and Japan, beautifully balancing textures and flavors.
The €75 four-course dinner menu provides great value, featuring a curated selection that highlight the best of modern fine dining. Note that this option is not available on weekends, so plan your visit accordingly. However, the weekend 6-course tasting menu, priced at €130, is still very affordable compared to other Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris.
2. Tomy & Co: €80
Address: 22 Rue Surcouf, 75007 Paris (near Hôtel des Invalides)
Tomy & Co, owned by Chef Tomy Gousset, is a contemporary Michelin-starred restaurant located near Les Invalides. Chef Gousset, known for his dynamic approach to French cuisine, combines classic techniques with modern flair. Guests can expect some unique dishes such as fried gnocchi with truffles and wine sauce, roasted sea bream with zucchini flowers and candied tomatoes, or the dark chocolate ganache with caramel ice cream.
The restaurant features a highly affordable Summer Olympics special menu, with a three-course meal priced at 80 euros. Traveling with kids? No problem—there’s also a budget-friendly children’s menu available for 28 euros.
3. Jacques Faussat: €80+
Address: 54 Rue Cardinet, 75017 Paris
Jacques Faussat, situated in a charming corner of Paris, is where Chef Jacques Faussat showcases his mastery of traditional French cuisine with a modern twist. Each dish is fresh with the seasons and flavored with spices Chef Faussat collected during his travels. From the succulent meats to the delicate French desserts, every course is a celebration of French culinary excellence.
Dinners can opt between an affordable three-course meal priced at 80 euros or the four-course discovery menu priced at 110 euros.
Auguste, Baieta, and FIEF are three more excellent choices where you can enjoy a Michelin-starred dinner without breaking the bank.
Related: Most Expensive Michelin Restaurants in Paris
