Paris Champs-Élysées (8ème)

Once the center of Paris' most glamorous dining and world-class cuisine, the 8ème's culinary importance is on the decline, but its prices are not. There are still plenty of extravagant establishments, particularly south of the Champs-Élysées, but few of them merit the small investment required to eat there. The best affordable restaurants are on side streets around rue la Boétie, rue des Colisées, and place de Dublin.

Ty Yann, 10 rue de Constantinople (☎01 40 08 00 17), The ever-smiling Breton chef and owner, M. Yann, cheerfully prepares outstanding and relatively inexpensive galettes (€7.50-10.50) and crepes in a tiny, unassuming restaurant; the walls are decorated with his mother's pastoral paintings. Creative concoctions include La Vannetaise (sausage sauteed in cognac, Emmental cheese, and onions; €10). Create your own crepe (€6.40-7.20) for lunch. Credit card from €12. €7.50-10.50. Open M-F noon-2:30pm and 7:30-10:30pm, Sa 7:30-10:30pm. Takes credit cards.
Ladurée, 16 rue Royale (☎01 42 60 21 79; www.laduree.com), Opened in 1862, Ladurée started off as a modest bakery; it has since become so famous that a Gossip Girl employee was flown over to buy macaroons here, so that Chuck could offer his heart to Blair properly. On a more typical day though, the Rococo decor of this tea salon attracts a jarring mix of well-groomed shoppers and tourists in sneakers. One of the first Parisian salons de thé, Ladurée shows its age but remains a must-see (and taste). Along with the infamous mini macaroons arranged in high pyramids in the window (16 different varieties; €1.50), this spot offers little that hasn't been soaked in vanilla or caramel. Dine in the salon or queue up an orgasm to go. Macaroons €1.50 each. Open M-Th 8:30am-7:30pm, F-Sa 8:30am-8pm and Su 10am-7pm. Also at 75 av. des Champs-Elysées Takes credit cards.
faFouquet's, 99 av. des Champs-Élysées (☎01 47 23 50 00), Restaurants can only dream of this kind of fame. The sumptous, red velvet-covered cafe once welcomed the likes of Chaplin, Churchill, Roosevelt and Jackie Onassis. But as its gilded interior suggests, all that glitters is not gold. Today, Fouquet's owned by a hotel and dining conglomerate, and the only celebrity spottings you'll see are the framed pictures on the wall. Still, it's an experience of quintessential old-time Parisian glamour, easy on the eyes and devastating for the bank account (starters run upwards of €30). Best to buy a coffee (€8) and see and be seen. Plates €20-55. Open daily 8-2am. Food served all day in the cafe. Restaurant open daily 7:30-10am, noon-3pm, and 7pm-midnight in the restaurant. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Thabthim Siam, 28 rue de Moscou 01 43 87 62 56 A Thai favorite where locals come for their curry fix. With embroidered tapestries, silk-draped chairs, and bronze statues, Thabthim Siam is an intimate place to enjoy dinner for two. The rotating menu allows patrons to sample a wide range of Thai cuisine. As good as pad thai is, try some of their more exotic options—you'll be happy you did. Takes credit cards.
Fauchon, 26-30, pl. de la Madeleine 01 47 42 60 11 A Mecca of gourmet food, Parisians (and tourists) travel from far and wide for Fauchon's coffee, jams, teas, caviar, wine, chocolate, and other fancy culinary fare. Occupying two separate storefronts on pl. de la Madeleine alone, this traiteur, pâtisserie, épicerie, and charcuterie serves heaping portions at reasonable prices. Never fear—browsing is a la mode. You might succumb to the many tins of yummy though. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.