Ever wondered how to navigate the world of Parisian dining like a true local? Let me share some insider tips I’ve picked up over the years, living and traveling in this beautiful city. These tips will not only help you save some money but also immerse yourself in the authentic Parisian dining experience.
Budget-Friendly Bites:
Water is your friend. In France, asking for a carafe d’eau (pronounced “care-af-doh”) will get you a free bottle of tap water. Don’t be tricked by the €6-€8 price tag for bottled water. However, this usually only works for still water. If you prefer sparkling, you’ll need to pay for it. Just remember to say “une carafe” when the server asks for your preference.
Savvy Dessert Savvy: Order a cafe gourmand (pronounced “ka-fay-goo-r-mahn”) for a sweet treat at a fraction of the price. This delicious offer includes a coffee and three to five mini desserts, often enough for two people to share! Imagine, a coffee and a shared dessert for the price of one! The cafe gourmand makes for an affordable and delicious ending to your meal.
Bread is not just bread. In most Parisian restaurants, you won’t get an individual bread plate. Instead, a basket of bread will be brought to your table. Feel free to rest your piece on your plate or directly on the table. And here’s a tip from the locals: use the bread to soak up the delicious sauce remaining on your plate after finishing your meal! It’s a delightful way to savor every last drop of flavor.
Parisian Dining Etiquette:
Be Patient with the Pace: First-time visitors to Paris often find the pace of French service, especially when it comes to the bill, a little different. At most restaurants, the bill won’t arrive until you ask for it. Just let your server know when you’re ready to leave.
Leave When You’re Ready: Don’t worry if you can’t find your server to bring you the bill. Just stand up and leave, stopping by the payment station on your way out. This is perfectly normal in most Parisian restaurants, especially during lunchtime. Of course, it’s always good to be mindful of the establishment’s atmosphere. You wouldn’t want to do this at a Michelin-starred restaurant, for instance.
Share the Cost, Share the Joy: When it’s time to pay, don’t feel pressured to split the bill evenly. It’s completely normal to pay for your own meal. If some of you had wine and others didn’t, simply calculate each person’s individual share and pay the server individually. The last person can simply pay the remaining balance. Some restaurants have POS systems that allow the server to click individual items for each person, but this is not the case at all restaurants. No worries, you can do the math yourself!
The Rhythm of Parisian Dining:
Dinner is Late Night: In Paris, dinner is typically served around 8 or 9 pm. Apéro (pronounced “ah-pay-roh”), a pre-dinner drink with snacks, is enjoyed around 6 or 7 pm. Remember, many Parisians finish their workday at 7 pm, so you won’t find them dining at 6 pm. Join the lively atmosphere by arriving at 8:30 pm or later. You can always eat earlier, but be prepared to enjoy your meal with a handful of other tourists.
What are your Parisian dining tips? I’d love to hear your insights and add them to my list! Let’s continue this conversation and learn from each other!
