Parisian cooking has art status, the top chefs are stars and dining out is a national pastime. Many people go to a restaurant every single working-day for lunch. As a consequence there are 10,000 bars and restaurants in the French capital, and you can get a good-quality menu anywhere for less than 20 €. But do avoid the tourist hotspots, where the quality is low. Find a local bistro instead, and do not forget that Paris is also renowned for its foreign cuisine. Meaning there are numerous excellent Chinese, Thai, Japanese, African and Middle Eastern restaurants.