The Place St-Michel is one of the best known locations in Paris, and a popular meeting spot. In the heart of the Latin Quarter and the 5th arrondissement, it has long been home to students and other economy-minded travelers. All visitors to Paris want to spend time in the Latin Quarter, and it is a prime spot for people watching.

The Boulevard St-Michel is home to many cafés, always popular places for a drink or a coffee and a chance to watch the passing spectacle. You might see demonstrations in front of the Fountain, or strolling musicians, and certainly plenty of people, cars, motorcycles, and buses.

Usually packed with tourists and locals, they're good for people watching and informal meals such as crêpes or sandwiches or salads. There's a great variety of food, from couscous to doner kebab to Asian food to traditional French dishes like Coq au Vin or Escargots (snails).

The small streets around Place St-Michel seem to be nothing but cafés, restaurants, and take out places. Rue de la Huchette is lined with little restaurants serving a wide range of food, much of it at bargain prices. Facing the fountain in Place St-Michel (Métro: St-Michel), look to the left and spot the Café St-Severin (great people watching).

Next to this café is the beginning of Rue de la Huchette, which was known in the Middle Ages for its inns, and since the 17th century for restaurants. Walk down this street and you'll have your choice of traditional French dishes, couscous, raclette, Greek food, Moroccan food, sushi, and more. A popular place for economy minded tourists, you can get a decent meal for a good price, relatively fast.

The small Rue Xavier Privas intersects with La Huchette. On this street I saw Greek, North African, Indian, Italian, and—oh yes—French restaurants, again reasonably priced.

Also nearby is Rue de la Harpe, which offers typical sidewalk cafés in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Usually packed with tourists and locals, they're good for informal meals such as crêpes or sandwiches or salads. There's a great variety of food, from couscous to doner kebab to traditional French dishes like Coq au Vin or Escargots (snails). There are so many restaurants and so much competition that prices are moderate.

If you don't find anything to your liking here, cross over the Place St-Michel and head down Rue St-André des Arts and you'll find a lot more restaurants. If you want something a little more upscale, try the areas around St-Germain or St-Sulpice.

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Paris Restaurant Areas Rue St-André des Arts Restaurants Blvd St-Germain Restaurants St-Sulpice Restaurants Marais Restaurants About Place St-Michel