I am planning to travel in next 10 days. All packed and ready. I would welcome any advice what all options are there. Are there any specific meals that are availble any time of day.
Please be more specific. Where are you travelling to.
In some European countries there is often or usually a vegetarian option, and especially in big cities. "vegetarian" often includes dairy products (milk, cheese). If you want to exclude these as well, you need to look for vegan.
It is difficult to be more specific unless you say where you are going.
Oh yes,,, Cheese and dairy products are fine...I mean to ask that paris is a big city and I do not expect there will shops near the airport where I could get a a litre of milk or eggless cakes for instance or some fruits.
Are you staying near the airport? If you are staying in central Paris, there is certainly no reason to buy your groceries out by the airport. There are supermarkets and shops on nearly every street that can supply whatever you need. Most restaurants have a dish that would suit as "vegetarian" and there are many ethnic restaurants where it would probably be very easy to find vegetarian items on the menu. All restaurants are required to post their menus outside, so you can easily check the menu before deciding where to eat. There is a vegetarian restaurant in the 3rd Arr. called Le Potager du Marais that I understand is quite good. It is on Rue Rambuteau not far from the Centre Pompidou. Since there are something like 10,000+ restaurants in Paris, I am sure there are probaby others as well.
Carolyn & Chris....
this is the first time I used forum and I am realy astonished how much easy and effective this is.
Je suis Contente....merci beaucoup Carolyn and Chris for your invaluable advice
Are you thinking of joining up?
You might find this site helpful:
http://www.indiansinparis.com/blog/tourist-attractions/177-indian-quarter-in-paris
If you are in the Marais (Rue des Rosiers) and like falafel. Try L'as du Falafel or if that one is busy there is another falafel place a bit farther down the street(facing L'as du Falafel, turn to your left, the next corner on your right, Chez Marianne).
There is always the baguette, cheese and fruit option.
I'm a vegetarian and have found options at most places in Paris and other parts of France. Italy is the easiest though. My daughter has been in France for a few years and is a vegetarian. She will eat side dishes if there aren't other options. Potatoes, vegetables, salads.
You can search for vegetarian and vegan restaurants and grocery stores on the website happycow.net and enter Paris in the search box to pull up all listings, or you can narrow the field to meet your preferences.
I'm in Paris now and have been able to find vegan meals every day without much problem. I did eat at L'as du Falafel the other day and it was very good. My goal is to head back there and try some of the other falafel stands. There is also a chain called Maoz which has decent falafel. (Falafel options are thin on the ground in Idaho!!)
A time ot two I've gotten salad that had cheese on top which I just pushed to the side. I also got a veggie burger the other day which was actually a nicely marinated slab of tofu on a bun with grilled mushrooms and onions.
You will find many choices!
There are several vegetarian restaurants in Paris. I just googled "vegetarian restaurants in Paris" and got great results.
In general, restaurants serve lunch until around 2 p.m. and dinner from about 7.30 p.m. Restaurants that cater to the tourist crowd serve meals all day long, but they are usually not nearly as good as the places locals frequent; on the other hand, they are often more expensive :-) There are lots of bistros where you can get hot meals any time.
I am in Paris right now. My daughter only eats fish as an alternative to meat. She had no trouble at all and there are small grocery stores everywhere to get fresh fruits and vegetables.
French restaurants that serve full meals outside normal meal times will generally have the words "service continu" on display somewhere on the outside.
Thank you guys
Just working on my visa part. I hope I get my visa approved
Thanks again to all
There are also cafes everywhere that serve food any time. Cheese plates, eggs, salads, pasta, etc.
Just be careful. You will be safe with vegan, but things labeled as "vegetarian" may or may not be suitable for you. "Vegetarian" may be interpreted as "no red meat," "no red meat or poultry but fish is OK," or even "no flesh but eggs and dairy are OK." So, if you are specifically avoiding eggs, you will have to make sure they are not included in any dish you are considering.
If you're shopping for your own food, a biomarché is an organic food store; they will certainly understand exactly what you're looking for.
What are the restraunt ettiquets that need to be taken care?
As far as? If you are referring to asking about vegan or vegetarian food, as someone else mentioned upthread I check out the menu posted outside and select some possibilities. Then once the server comes to the table I show them my note saying I am vegan and point to my choices asking "OK"? Sometimes they will go check with the kitchen sometimes they will already know.
After the meal I thank them specifically for helping me.
Or were you asking about restaurant etiquette in general?