"To eat is a necessity; to eat well is an art."

Brillat-Savarin

1. Here's a tip to avoid some embarrassing confusion. In France, a "restaurant" is for a whole meal, which means never order just a salad . If you're not very hungry and just want a salad, a sandwich, or an omelet, head for a "brasserie". In general, if the table which is covered with a tablecloth, it has been set up for a meal (and for the French, a meal is not a sandwich!). In a brasserie, for example, if you just want a sandwich, head for the "tableclothless" tables!

2. Most restaurants in Paris serve lunch between noon and 2:30pm, and dinner from 7 to 10pm. To save money in restaurants, eat early and don't tie up the table all evening. Dinner is usually more expensive than lunch. Drinks are cheaper at the bar rather than at a table.

3. For quick meals at other times, do as the French do: frequent a café for a light one-course meal, such as an omelet, sandwich, soup or salad. Buying a tasty sandwich, crêpe or frites from a sidewalk booth is the cheapest alternative. During the cold weather, try the delicious roasted chestnuts.

4. For a free glass of water with your meal, request une carafe d'eau.

5. Breakfast - The French word for breakfast is le petit déjeuner (the little lunch).  Try to avoid having your breakfast in the hotels and eat at the local cafes together with locals. There is a great atmosphere as well as the excellent selection. Alternatively stop at the bakery for some great pastry or sandwiches.

Lunch and Dinner Menus

6. You may encounter several different types of menus, offering varying degrees of selection and price, which it is helpful to understand:

Menu prix-fixe: Every French restaurant must offer a fixed-price meal, which usually consists of four courses (with a choice of dishes at each course), and may include wine (but not coffee). Better than à la carte, quality is invariably good, and tax and service are included. Many restaurants offer several set menus at different price levels, with more expensive ones including extra courses, pricier ingredients, or a superior vintage of wine. Look for a menu du jour (a set menu of the day), which will generally be the freshest, and check out what those around you have ordered.

A La carte: Everything that is not on the special menu. These dishes are usually more expensive and come with a garnish of vegetables. Usually there will be a plat du jour (dish of the day).

Table d'hôte: These words posted outside a farmhouse once meant that anyone was invited to join the family at a single sitting and at a fixed price. Nowadays, the idea has caught on at a number of country restaurants, offering a chance to try real home cooking inexpensively.

7. Avoid touristy restaurants with "We speak English" signs and multilingual menus  with Menu touristique. They are usually overpriced and  designed for tourist, definitely not representing the local cuisine.  

8. Ask around or follow the locals. Most are proud of where they live and are eager for visitors to enjoy themselves. In France I eat in the places where I can only hear French . This is another way to enjoy regional culture. Eateries that are filled with locals aren't always cheaper, but they serve better food at a better value.

9. Remember picnics save you money. Join locals at numerous parks and gardens or have a picnic on your train ride. Bread, cheese, fruit, and wine can be a delightful and inexpensive meal, especially if you share it with a few friends. Get them in a delicatessen shops that offer gourmet-quality food at fast food prices.

10. Hotel breakfasts, while convenient, are rarely a good value. If your breakfast is not included, save money and join the local crowd at the corner café.