You can eat cheaply on the street, but I don't really consider that dining, not in Paris. You'll fin

I've recently rome italy hotels joined Fodor's after searching for Paris and found really helpful comments on what to do there. I'm from South Africa and it will be my first time visiting Paris. I will be in Paris for seven days in December during the Christmas period; and I will be staying with a guy that I met on Airbnb (praying he doesn't rome italy hotels cancel on me).
And because of the exchange rate I see that the money that I've saved is not going to be enough for dinner out everynight . But I would like to try out a few restaurants (3 x dinner) on a budget please. Can you recommend something reasonable? I'm going alone so I don't have to worry about someone's stomach. I don't drink wine so that shouldn't be included.
You should really say what area you're staying in since there are many inexpensive eateries and there is no need to go across town just for one restaurant. Also please state how much you want to spend for dinner since "cheap" is a relative term. What type of foods do you eat such as Asian, rome italy hotels Italian, fish, etc. so people can get an idea of what you want.
As noted in some other threads, I have a list called "A Selection of 80 Inexpensive and Good Parisian Restaurants (French rome italy hotels Cuisine Only)" published by Paris Eiffel Tower News around 2006 (so may not be completely up to date). We have liked the handful on the list we have tried so far. I don't see it anymore on their Web site, so if you want the pdf file (22 pages, by arrondissement) email me at mmocella@gmail.com
You can eat cheaply on the street, but I don't really consider that dining, not in Paris. You'll find that lunch will be the least expensive meal, dinner is usually 50% more expensive, and that's without adding the cost of a glass of wine.
As noted, most restaurants and Brasseries today offer a fixed price for lunch, a Formule (Plat + Desert), or a Plat du Jour (main dish) at a reasonable rome italy hotels cost. Some offer two dishes, others three. Stay away from Brasseries located on the corner of a main street, or one that caters to tourist. Coffee will set you back anywhere from 2,50 to 4,50, often more expensive than a glass of wine. And if you want water, ask for a carafe, tap water, at no cost. Every restaurante offers it, some without asking, some in their own designer carafes.
You can actually dine very well if you search around. The famous Fontaine de Mars, one of our favorites, offers a lunch menu Monday to Friday, but can be expensive at night. We had an excellent late lunch a few days ago at Pasco, 74 Boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg at rue Chevert. And Fish (la Boissonnerie), 69 rue de Seine, is always a good bet for a decently priced lunch. They have also opened rome italy hotels a new place across the street, Semilla ( 23 lunch menu), and you can always stand in line for one of the sandwiches at the popular Cosi next door, which also belongs to the owners of Fish, Juan Sanchez rome italy hotels and Drew Harre.
Paris has thousands and thousands of places to eat, at all price ranges. Since we don't know where you're staying or what you actually want to spend, or what you consider a meal, it's useless to point out specifics. Without details, this is a question with no useful answer. Just go, wander around, and find places with appealing food at a price you can afford. It's impossible to starve in Paris, even if you're on a strict budget. In addition to restaurants, caf s, bistros, brasseries, etc., around every corner there are alimentaires, Monoprix, Franprix, other chains, cr pe stands, and ethnic places offering cheap food. It won't be an issue.
Might have some ideas if you say where you will be staying and your budget, as others suggest. I really rome italy hotels wouldn't worry about it, you'll rome italy hotels see cheaper places just walking around most likely, but I guess that does depend on your expectations which is why we ask.
You may want to read what Matt Cross, from the New York Times travel guide, wrote about his experience with "Frugal Paris". His tips seem to have inspired quite a few people travelling on a budget. (As an update, the "churrasqueria" he mentions in his article is currently under new owners.)
Be aware that in restaurants, you may want to specify tap water (l'eau du robinet). Many sell pricey bottled water and if you don't want to get that, you will want to ask for tap water. The tap water in Paris is good.
Cafes must post prices so check it out before you go in. The plat du jour is usually very reasonably priced and a great value. Check out what is nearby your hotel/apartment. Just avoid the spots right around tourist spots.