On our Traveling Professor small group tours to Paris, one of the true highlights is celebrating the food of Paris. Paris is renowned worldwide for its culinary excellence, and we take the time to discover some of the city’s best places to eat — combining elegance with reasonable prices.

During our tours, we often have the chance to enjoy up to three unforgettable lunches at iconic locations that perfectly blend atmosphere, history, and exquisite cuisine:

Le Nelie Salon de Thé at Musée Jacquemart-André
Nestled inside the stunning Musée Jacquemart-André, Le Nelie offers a refined tea salon experience. Guests savor delicate pastries, freshly brewed teas, and light seasonal dishes such as quiches and salads. Typical lunch menus range from €18 to €30, making it an elegant yet affordable choice. This might be the most beautiful salon de thé in the city.

The Restaurant at Musée d'Orsay
Dine amid Impressionist masterpieces at the Musée d'Orsay’s elegant restaurant. The menu features classic French cuisine such as duck confit, fish of the day, and seasonal vegetable dishes, with three-course prix-fixe options around €35–€45. The grand setting complements the sophisticated flavors perfectly.  For the elegance, convenience, and quality of food, this is certainly a bargain.  Since we do visit the Musée d'Orsay on every small group tour to Paris, we often offer this as a lunch dining option. 

Le Train Bleu
Located inside Gare de Lyon, Le Train Bleu is a historic Belle Époque restaurant offering traditional French fare. Lunch options include seasonal starters like foie gras terrine, main courses such as roast chicken or sole meunière, and decadent desserts like tarte tatin. Not as inexpensive as the other selections noted here, the set menus start around €55, with à la carte options available. It’s a dining experience steeped in history and elegance.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or visiting Paris for the first time, these elegant yet affordable lunch spots promise a memorable gastronomic experience.

We do have one more recommendation for Paris dining.  We suggest picking up a copy of Eating and Drinking in Paris, written by our friend Andy Herbach.  It is, hands-down, the best guide available for Paris dining options.

For other Paris dining options, check out our previously published Paris posts.