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This is a popular, award-winning Lebanese restaurant with a terrace open in the warmer months. For those pressed for time, an excellent delicatessen ( 7.30am-midnight) selling meze, mini pizzas, sandwiches and other cheap eats to munch on the move is attached.

LE BUISSON ARDENT Map French, Bistro €€

01 43 54 93 02; www.lebuissonardent.fr, in French; 25 rue Jussieu, 5e; mains €19, menus lunch €14 & €19, dinner €31; lunch & dinner to 10pm Mon-Fri, dinner to 10pm Sat; Jussieu

Stéphane Mauduit (gastronomy-mad chef) and his childhood, wine-mad mate, Jean-Thomas Lopez, head the team at this pocket-sized bistrot gastronomique where a local set flocks for lunch. In true bistro fashion, tables are jammed tightly together and the cuisine is traditional with an inventive kick. Think cheese-stuffed courgette, minestrone soup with pan-fried langoustine tails or scallops with a chicory fondue and sweet pepper ‘n’ anchovy coulis.

MAYJU Map World, Tearoom €€

01 44 07 13 29; 36 rue des boulangers, 5e; 2-/3-course menu lunch €14/18; noon-5pm & 7-10pm Mon-Sat; Cardinal Lemoine

Wedged between the Sorbonne and Paris University, Mayju is a Zen retreat in a frenetic part of Paris. Pink and black are clearly the favourite colours of the interior designer – love the gargantuan pink rose, darling – whose modish mezzanine area oozes style. Pick from four starters, four plats (mains) alongside four savoury tartes (€6) and no guessing how many desserts. ‘Saveurs du monde’ (world flavours) is the culinary theme.

LE PRÉ VERRE Map French, Bistro €€

01 43 54 59 47; 25 rue Thénard, 5e; starters €6, mains €17, 2-/3-course menu €13/27.50; lunch & dinner Tue-Sat; Maubert Mutualité

Noisy, busy and buzzing, this jovial bistro run by the Delacourcelle brothers plunges diners into the heart of a Parisian’s Paris. At lunchtime join the flock and go for the fabulous-value formule dejeuner (€13) – the day we were there it had curried chickpea soup, guinea-fowl thigh spiced with ginger on a bed of red and green cabbage, a glass of wine and loads of ultra-crusty, ultra-chewy baguette (the best). Desserts mix Asian spices with traditional French equally well. Philippe cooks but is constantly in and out the kitchen, throwing around his charm, while Marc is the man behind the interesting wine list, which features France’s small independent vignerons (wine producers).

SAVANNAH CAFÉ Map World, Bistro €€

01 43 29 45 77; www.savannahcafe.fr; 27 rue Descartes, 5e; starters €7-16, mains €13-15; dinner to 11pm Mon-Sat; Cardinal Lemoine

The food at this hip little bistro is as eclectic as its retro, carnival-like decorations and choice of world music. Tabouli mixes with tortellini as does hummus with mozzarella and fromage blanc (cream cheese) with baklava. Can’t decide? Kick off with the mixed plate of starters that flit from Italy to Lebanon to India.

BOUTIQUE CENSIER Map Greek, Delicatessen €€

01 45 35 96 50; 47 rue Censier, 5e; mains €10-15; 9am-7.30pm Mon-Sat; Censier Daubenton

Pocket-sized and scarcely big enough to swing a shopping basket – but who cares when the food is so delicious? The self-catering arm of Mavrommátis, this traiteur (delicatessen-caterer) is the pit-stop for a discerning lunchtime crowd who don’t have hours to dine but still want to dine well. Most takeaway dishes are just like those served in its big-brother restaurant.

LES CINQ SAVEURS D’ANANDA Map Organic €€

01 43 29 58 54; 72 rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 5e; plats du jour €13.90 & €14.90, menu €26.90; lunch & dinner to 10.30pm Tue-Sun; Cardinal Lemoine

Set back from place de la Contrescarpe, this bright semi-vegetarian – it serves fish – restaurant is much-loved by health-food lovers. Ingredients are fresh and 100% bio. Décor is simple, refined and stylish.

MACHU PICCHU Map South American €€

01 43 26 13 13; 9 rue Royer Collard, 5e; starters €6.50-8.20, mains €8.50-14.90, menu lunch €10.50; lunch & dinner to 10.30pm Mon-Fri; Luxembourg

Students adore this place, named