Chez Aline

Verdict

If you are eating lunch in the 11th arrondissement and your budget is single-digits, Chez Aline is the answer. This is a sandwich counter on Rue de la Roquette that has placed on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats in Europe list three consecutive years; ranked #63 in 2023, #90 in 2024, #93 in 2025; which makes it one of the most consistently recognised low-cost lunch spots in Paris. It opens Monday through Friday, lunch service only, closes by 3:30 pm. If that window fits your schedule, go.

The Space and the Format

Chez Aline operates out of a former horse butcher's shop on Rue de la Roquette, the room carries that history in its bones: tiled walls, compact footprint, no frills. Seating, if available, is tight. This is not a sit-down restaurant, it is a counter where you order, collect, either eat standing, take a seat if one opens up, or walk. The physical space tells you exactly what kind of visit this is: quick, casual, focused entirely on what is in your hands. For food enthusiasts visiting Paris to eat across formats and price points, this is the format at its most stripped back. Think of it as the counterpoint to a three-hour lunch at L'Ambroisie or an evening tasting menu at Arpège.

The Takeout Question

Given the spatial constraints and the lunch-counter format, takeout is not a secondary option here, it is the primary mode. The sandwiches are built to travel. Eating at a nearby park, on a bench, or back at your accommodation is a completely legitimate and arguably preferable approach, particularly on days when the counter is packed. The food holds well enough for a short carry. If you are building a day around the 11th and want to eat well without committing to a full restaurant sit-down, picking up from Chez Aline and eating outside is a practical and satisfying plan. Compare this to Alidoro in New York City or Pane Bianco in Phoenix, both are sandwich destinations that reward the same approach: order, carry, eat somewhere with a view. Chez Aline fits that model cleanly.

Who Should Go

This works well for solo visitors and pairs who want a fast, high-quality lunch without reservation logistics. It also works for food-focused travellers who want to understand what Paris does at the affordable end, not just at the Michelin tier represented by Le Cinq or the creative tier of Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen. Groups of four or more will find the counter format less comfortable. It is not a special occasion venue, it is a great-sandwich venue, which is a different and entirely valid category.

Practical Details

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Address: 85 Rue de la Roquette, 75011 Paris. Reservations: No booking required, walk in. Booking difficulty: Easy. Budget: Cheap eats tier; expect to spend well under €15 for a full lunch. Dress: No code, come as you are. Leading approach: Arrive before 1:00 pm to avoid the midday rush; takeout is a practical and recommended option if the counter is full.

Awards and Recognition

The Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in Europe ranking, three consecutive years, with a peak of #63 in 2023, puts it in the top tier of affordable eating in one of the most competitive food cities in Europe. For context on how seriously OAD takes its cheap eats list: it is one of the few credible external rankings that covers the sub-€20 lunch category with the same rigour applied to fine dining. A placement here carries weight.

Paris Context

The 11th arrondissement has a concentration of casual and independent food operations that punches well above its tourist profile. Chez Aline sits within that ecosystem. If you are planning a Paris trip across multiple days and want to eat across price points and formats, our full Paris restaurants guide covers the full range, from counters like this to the Michelin tier. You can also find our Paris hotels guide, Paris bars guide, Paris wineries guide, and Paris experiences guide for broader trip planning. If your itinerary extends beyond the capital, the same food-focused approach applies at Mirazur in Menton, Flocons de Sel in Megève, Troisgros in Ouches, Auberge de l'Ill in Illhaeusern, Bras in Laguiole, or Paul Bocuse in Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or.