Depends on
your budget really how much of a tight cunt you are
If it's top end, no need to ask for advice.
If it's low end or just spend thrift then yep, avoid the main cafes restaurants nearby to main landmarks as they'll be at the "ohh look, here comes a tourist" end of the cost. That's a pretty sweeping statement for any large city with a big tourism pull.
"Gay Paris" is one of the pricier capitals but you can do plenty of stuff for free/cheap just by looking rather than doing *ahem*. For example if you want to "see" the Eiffel Tower but don't want to spend €50+ just for a couple to go up the bloody thing...then put that €50 towards a meal after watching the sunset at Montmartre hill. This is where the Sacré-Coeur Basilica is located and gives a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower and Paris; plus it's free!
After your Winter sunset Eiffel view, take a 5min walk back to Custine station and ride to Bosquet; which brings you close to Square Rapp. You'll have another great view of the Tower - being much closer you will get that more imposing sense of feeling. With Eiffel all lit up, a photo opp of the Tower (avec selfie of the Mrs and yourself) checked off and in the beautifully quaint Sq. Rapp, round off the early evening with some nosh by heading to somewhere like the nearby Su Misura. Offering a Starter, Main and Dessert for about €15...yeah ok, it's an Italian Restaurant in Paris but it is ran buy real Italians rather than "Tony" the Albanian (love Albania so no offence to any Albanians named Tony) but it's an absolute bargain and decent food to boot.
Finish off your "Good Books" points by NOT pestering the Mrs for a BJ whilst you dreamily stare at the lit up Tower and Parisian skyline from Champ Mars at the side of the Seine!
Enjoy your Winter trip to Paris
