Weekend in Paris: how to plan a city trip around the best tables (and not just the Eiffel Tower)

Paris is one of the best cities in the world to eat, and it doesn't have to be expensive. The secret lies in a few habits that you as a visitor will quickly adopt, and in choosing the right neighborhood.

Getting there

From the Netherlands, you can easily travel by high-speed train, including direct routes from Amsterdam and Rotterdam to Paris-Nord. You arrive right in the middle of the city, without an airport and without traffic jams. Booking early is usually the cheapest way to travel.

Choose your neighborhood, not just your hotel

Paris is divided into twenty arrondissements, each with its own character. A few to consider:

• Le Marais: narrow streets, small shops, and many places to eat, centrally located.

• Saint-Germain-des-Prés: classic cafés, bookstores, and walking distance to the Seine.

• Around the Canal Saint-Martin: a bit younger and quieter, with terraces by the water.

• Montmartre: hilly and atmospheric, with views over the city.

If you sleep in a neighborhood where you also like to walk around in the evening, you won't have to travel across the whole city after dinner.

Eating like the Parisians

• Lunch is your best chance. Many restaurants have a formule or menu du midi: starter and main course, or main course and dessert, for less than in the evening.

• Watch the times. Kitchens often only open around 7:30 PM and close between lunch and dinner. If you want to eat at 5:30 PM, you'll often end up at a place that serves all day.

• Reserve for dinner, especially on weekends and at small, popular bistros.

• Tip: service is included in the price in France. A small extra tip for good service is appreciated, but not mandatory.

• Apéro: a drink with a small snack before dinner is a fixed ritual. A great moment to watch the city from a terrace.

Don't plan too much

The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Seine deserve a visit, but you only get to know Paris when you also walk into a neighborhood aimlessly. Book the big museums in advance, plan one major attraction per day, and leave the rest of the day open for markets, parks, and cafés.

A good rule: one museum, one walk, and one table per day. The rest is a bonus.

With friends or family

The larger the group, the more important it is to book in advance. Choose a few restaurants together before you leave, and agree on who arranges what.

Paris in HelloWhere

On our city page about Paris you will find restaurants and hotels in the city. Choose where you eat with your travel companions via Choose together, and put everything in one plan, with the hotel and restaurants per day.