4 New Amazing Spots for Lunch Under €30

© Hasard, Erso and Armande by Salomé Rateau.

Who said you need to sell your kids to cover the bill in Paris? While some prestigious spots cater to the wealthy, these new gems have won over our picky taste buds without breaking the bank. Even better: all four offer fabulous lunches for under €30, perfectly balancing style and taste without skimping on quality. You’ll definitely be back for more.

 

Erso

The place, the vibe: A charming neighborhood spot where you're treated like royalty without draining your wallet! Located in the 11th arrondissement near Saint-Ambroise, this cozy spot was created by a lovely couple for friends and colleagues to enjoy a top-quality lunch at unbeatable prices (which they promise won’t increase!). After stints at Parisian institutions like L'Alcazar and Le Lazare for one, and Guy Savoy and Akrame Benallal for the other, Marine Bert (front of house) and Yann Placet (chef) started working together at Pantruche, their final stop before opening Erso last summer.

For lunch: Expect a delicious three-course meal for €29 (or two courses for €23), where every dish is enhanced with bold condiments that bring out the flavors. On our visit: mackerel with vinegar, fennel, tender leeks, and miso vinaigrette; roasted butternut squash with cumin butternut purée, garlic-lemon cream condiment (divine), Romanesco cabbage, and pecorino sauce; beef onglet with mashed potatoes and smoked butter, roasted baby carrots with prunes, and mouth-watering jus, or yellow pollock with broccoli purée, roasted cauliflower with honey, and tarragon sauce. For dessert: a chocolate ganache with choco streusel and lemon yogurt ice cream, or a pavlova with grapefruit jelly and peach sorbet. Verdict: dishes you'll crave again and again, just like the regulars who already swear by this hot new spot.

Erso, 18 rue Saint Ambroise, Paris 11th. Open Tuesday to Saturday, lunch and dinner.

© Erso - Olivier Placet / Clémence Renoux

 

Armande

The place, the vibe: Since its opening, Armande has been a favorite among locals and fans of homestyle cooking. This cute little spot perched on the heights of Montmartre is both a cozy deli and bakery, exuding the same warmth and charm as the duo behind it, chef Margaux Bellorguey and entrepreneur Sébastien Aubé. A perfect refuge for lunch with take-out options, this spot is ideal for a chilled break.

For lunch: Everything here is 100% homemade, with a menu that travels across the globe. Must-try items include a Crab Bun stuffed with crab claw meat, celery, green apple, carrot, chives, and vegan mayo (€15); melt-in-your-mouth potato gnocchi with za’atar, olives, parmesan cream, and fried rosemary (€13); crispy portobello mushrooms with creamy goat cheese sauce (€9.50); and a Banh Mi with French pulled beef, cucumber, carrot, vegan mayo, and wasabi (€16). There are also fresh daily salads: the green beans with feta, lemon, and hazelnuts (€8.50) is a standout. Sweet tooth? You’re in the right place! Chef Bellorguey sends out stunning desserts like the light black sesame and coffee tart (€6.50), lemon meringue tart with black lemon and bergamot (€6.50), and addictive chocolate-hazelnut babka (€4). Hot chocolate fans, rejoice—Armande’s version made with coconut milk and Peruvian chili (€5) is reason enough to linger.

Armande, 26 rue Tholozé, Paris 18th. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 9pm.

© Armande by Salomé Rateau

 

Hasard

The place, the vibe: Nestled in a small street near the grand department stores, this neighborhood bistro is all about good food and fun. The décor, by Depict architecture studio, combines vintage touches, thrifted furniture, and modern aesthetics with a glowing neon-lit bar. The friendly team is headed by chef Matteo Renzi, who puts a fresh twist on classic dishes with carefully sourced seasonal ingredients. Here, you eat, drink, play, and enjoy!

For lunch: The menu features bistro classics done right. Highlights include the oeuf-mayo with Espelette pepper and crispy bread (€6); chicken terrine glazed with cognac and white wine, served with pickled veggies (€7); and frog legs seasoned with buckwheat (€10). Mains include a croque-monsieur with salad (€15), comforting veal blanquette with pilaf rice (€16), and the daily butcher or fishmonger’s special with fries or seasonal vegetables (€16). For dessert, treat yourself to a floating island drizzled with salted caramel (€6) and try your luck with a scratch card handed to you at the table—how fun is that?

Hasard, 7 rue de l’Isly, Paris 8th. Open Monday to Wednesday 10am-11:30pm, Thursday and Friday 10am-midnight. Closed on weekends. 01 86 53 49 10

 

Journey

The place, the vibe: Journey is the little revolution the 2nd arrondissement needed—an all-day hangout, open from 9am to midnight, where you can sit with your laptop. Right next to the stunning green wall on rue des Petits Carreaux, this spacious and bright spot spreads over three stylishly designed levels. The basement lounge, with its comfy benches and cushions, can even be reserved for private events. This gem comes from the team behind Noir Coffee Shop.

For lunch: Fresh, homemade dishes with plenty of vegetarian options like a Thai quinoa salad with peanut sauce (€16), a cacio e pepe pizzetta (€14), or zucchini carpaccio with honey vinaigrette (€15). For meat lovers, there are hearty choices like meatballs in tomato sauce with parmesan (€16), a grilled cheese with ham and sheep's cheese (€16), or a vitello toasty with smoked cream (€15). Fish fans will love the exotic sea bream ceviche with Peruvian leche de tigre (€16) or the tender salmon gravlax (€16). Dessert? Opt for the matcha-sesame cheesecake (€9) or the signature cookie with vanilla whipped cream (€3.50). Don’t miss their weekend à la carte brunch, served until 4pm.

Journey, 44 rue des Petits Carreaux, Paris 2nd. Open daily from 9am to midnight.

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