shonamac

Can anyone recommend some places in Paris where I can sample different kinds of French food, at lunch, for a set price? Of course most prix fixe menus are just 2-3 courses, while I want to be able to sample several, as in a hotel buffet.

Suggestions for places that won't break the bank and are located close to a Metro/RER station would be much appreciated.

olivedel

Put some fun in your life... Come multiple times in Paris, taste several restaurants and you will be fine.

But as a Parisian I do not know any French food buffet where you could have a great experience in Paris.

If you are just looking for generic food, you can try Flunch

nicolas75

There are no exact same concepts as Eataly or Le District in Paris (if you go to Lyon, don't miss the superb Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
http://www.halles-de-lyon-paulbocuse.com )

The closest concept would be Galeries Lafayette Gourmet (the food store of the famous department store, just opposite the fashion store) where there are different corners (quite close to Le District in NYC).

Food served is good and you can go from one stand to another. Prices are rather expensive (pastries are just great). But food served is not only French (but also Italian, Asian, etc).
http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.c...estaurants-fr/

Another options would be La Grande Épicerie at Le Bon Marché department store, on the left bank. The place is simply superb, and again you can eat here and there at different stands (Again, not exactly cheap).
http://www.lagrandeepicerie.com/decouvrir/univers.html

At the Louvre museum, you can find a food store with different stands (French and world food). More a sophisticated cafeteria than a restaurant though.
http://www.louvre.fr/en/les-cafes-de-la-pyramide

Another cheap option would be Le Marché des Enfants Rouges (but again, mostly world food at little restaurants: Libanese, Japanese, Morocca , etc).

You have to remember that French cuisine is very rich in terms of traditions. In Paris, I would therefore recommend to try classic food (for example Lazare http://lazare-paris.fr or Restaurant aux Près http://www.restaurantauxpres.com , café Constant http://www.maisonconstant.com/cafe-constant/ ) and more creative version (Le Dauphin, Septime)

A very good guide with English version to find your perfect restaurant:
http://lefooding.com/en/restaurants

nicolas75

The certainly best all you can eat buffet near metro is certainly... the Air France first class lounge at CDG. Not cheap still

http://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common...a_premiere.htm

Yahillwe

Actually there is a cafeteria in the 17th by the Etoile, I've seen people lining up. It isn't an "open buffet" as in the US, but a cafeteria.

I can't think of any buffets at all. Never seen them here. Not even sure that they exist.

The ones that Nicolas mentioned are food courts, as in you have to pay for whatever you choose to eat, from wherever. Just like in food courts in malls in the US.

Mountain Trader

Has anyone been to Maison Plisson:

http://www.lamaisonplisson.com

It is supposed to be sort of the same concept as Eataly. The one review I read was not very positive on the dining but said the boutiques may be interesting.

I'll have to give that place in the Louvre another look. A couple of years ago, the food was ok but the the whole operation of ordering and finding seating was a big mess.

nicolas75

I have been to Maison Plisson.

The concept is not so far from Epicerie du Bon Marché (boutique and Right Bank version).

There is a restaurant (which is quite good) and a take-away: but it is just a traditional restaurant, next to the supermarket/market.

Gagravarr

The only place I've ever found a good buffet in France with great French dishes, was a Club Med! None very close to Paris though...

Goldorak

One of the best buffet I know is at the Hyatt CDG, but not very central !