It's one of the best destinations in France for foodies. And it's a place that is bound to leave you speechless. Go along the Canal Saint Martin, discover the authentic streets of the Marais, eat a croissant in the morning in a good boulangerie artisanale, have a lunch in a small bistro, wine and cheese plate in a wine bar.
If you have been told that croissants are a must that you must try in France, it is true. It is one of the things to eat in Paris. But not everything is sweet, there are also other delicious dishes that you can try when visiting Paris like the Ratatouille or the cheeses. Among the thousands of varieties of French cheeses we recommend that you do not stop trying the national versions of the Emmental, Brie and Camembert.
Imagine walking through its cobbled streets of the Bois de Boulogne or elegant avenues, touring the Seine in bateau mouche, enjoying a coffee and delicious croissants in the traditional Café de Flore. Connecting with a local culture is so much more than visiting monuments and museums. We can do it through tasting its food, too. One of the best ways to really get to know this European capital is treating your palate to its heavenly flavors.
The weather is pleasant throughout the year. All one needs to do is to dress well like the French, and walk in the artistic boulevards. Bakeries and cafes are spread throughout the city. One can relish on a slice of chocolate cake and have red wine or a hot cup of espresso. Almost all street pillars have statues of horses, nymphs, and cherubs.
Don't let French cuisine's pricey reputation fool you. You can try some of the best food in Paris for a couple of Euros. Yes, fine dining is part of the city's rich culinary tradition, but that doesn't mean there are no affordable options. This way, those with a tighter budget can enjoy the gastronomic hub of France, too.
So, when it's time to take a break from sightseeing, recharge, and experience another side of Paris, go to a local café or restaurants in Paris and indulge in the city's delicious food.
1. Baguette
The French baguette is a long loaf of bread, crusty on the outside, soft on the inside. But it is so much more than food. It is a symbol of French culture. Even though the French have been making it for centuries, the word itself has been in use since 1920. Centuries later, Parisians are still in love with their baguettes.
So much so that they still hold the Best Baguette in Paris competition (a tradition that started in 1994). The contest takes place each year and the winner gets a medal, a cash prize, and the honor of supplying the Elysée Palace for a year.
2. Steak frites
The country's dining scene would not be the same without the iconic French brasseries. When in Paris, head to one of Paris' brasseries and order steak frites. This is a grilled steak made of carefully selected and matured meat paired with fresh, hand-cut, double-fried potato chips and different sauces that are optional.
3. Choucroute
Choucroute is another brasserie staple that will blow your mind. It came to Paris from Alsace, a region in eastern France, in the late 1800s. After Alsace was annexed by Germany, the refugees fled to the French capital. Choucroute means sauerkraut in French. The dish is made with white cabbage cooked in riesling, pork or duck fat, garlic, herbs, with sausages and pork knuckle on top.
4. Duck confit
The preparation of this dish is hard work. First, the meat stays in the refrigerator covered in salt and herbs for a few days. Then, the duck thighs are slowly cooked in their own fat, until the meat is moist and tender. The traditional side dish is pommes sarladaises, made of potatoes, garlic and duck fat.
Although Paris is one of the best destinations in France for foodies, a good duck confit is hard to find, and not many bistros in Paris make their own.
5. French cheeses
In Parisian cheese shops, you can taste each region's top cheeses, from the mildest ones to the sharpest ones. There are so many mouth-watering French cheeses that it’s hard to decide which ones to recommend. Brie, Comté and camembert are the stars, but there are numerous lesser-known, small producer cheeses that are just as good.
6. Jambon-beurre
Jambon-beurre is the most popular Parisian sandwich. It is perfect for busy Parisians who need to eat on the go. Like many other delicious dishes in Paris, you can find it at corner bakeries or order it at most Parisian cafés. It usually comes in the form of a fresh half-baguette. It is filled with cool butter and a delicious, pink-hued cooked ham called Jambon de Paris with optional cornichons.
7. French oysters
Love them or hate them, French oysters are well-known for their quality. Oysters may not be the cheapest food in Paris, but they are definitely worth a few extra Euros. You can choose from many varieties coming from different parts of the country’s coastline.
8. Couscous
If looking for comfort food in Paris, couscous is a great choice. It is so popular with the locals it was voted Parisians' favorite dish back in 2006. As there are many immigrants from North Africa living in Paris, you will find many couscous restaurants from various regions.
9. Chocolate
Chocolate is a dessert many people cannot live without. France is home to some of the world's best chocolatiers. However, unlike the Swiss and Belgians, the French still keep this a secret from the rest of the world. Parisian chocolate shops are so elegant and over the top, and for a good reason. This is not your average chocolate we’re talking about. France takes one of the world’s most popular sweets to a whole new level.
10. Paris-Brest
This wheel-shaped pastry was made in 1910 to commemorate the Paris–Brest–Paris cycle race it was named after and it is still one of the best-selling desserts in Parisian pastry shops. It quickly became popular with riders competing in the race thanks to its high calorific value. Whether you're into cycling or not, you will love this pastry. No one can resist its choux pastry shell topped with praline buttercream, sprinkled with caramelized almonds.
11. Rum baba
Rum baba, or baba au rhum, is a dense cake with cream. It is soaked in syrup containing some sort of hard liquor, typically rum. It can be filled with whipped or pastry cream. Sometimes, it comes in larger forms, but it is usually in the form of individual servings.
This small yeast cake was first made in the 18th century. It was King Stanislaus of Poland who brought this cake to France when he was exiled in Lorraine. He loved this dish so much that he asked his chef, Nicolas Stohrer, to recreate it. When Stohrer moved to Paris, he opened his own bakery, and introduced the rhum baba to Parisians.
12. Macaron
The macaron in French and macaroon in Italian is a type of biscuit of French origin that has gained worldwide fame. Originally, the macaroni was not filled, but consisted only of two round domes with a flat base. However, this has changed a lot with the passage of time, since not only do they always carry stuffing called ganache, but this can be found in a multitude of flavors.
In this way, the current macaroons in France are considered more a cake than a simple cookie.
13. Croque Monsieur
Croque Monsieur is the name of the most popular sandwich in Paris. It is made with sliced bread and stuffed with ham and Gruyere cheese and even, in some places it is added bechamel. The word escargots means snail in French. The dish is snails that are seasoned with garlic, parsley and butter. Once seasoned, the dish is passed through the oven to melt the butter and make the meat a little.
14. Quiche
Quiche is called dishes that look like pies but are salty.
15. Pain au Chocolat
Pain au Chocolat is a sweet made with puff pastry and butter, filled with chocolate cream.
Among the many types of wine you will find in Paris, we recommend you not to miss the Bordeaux and the Médoc, which are the jewels of the French wine industry. Try to sit in a cafeteria and have a coffee with a Parisian crepe, enjoying the views.
If you're just visiting, we must warn you that the food in Paris is so good that you'll be coming back for more. If you're moving to Paris, you must invite your friends and family for a visit and introduce them to French cuisine. And if you ever decide to leave France, movers won't be able to transport your food with you, so enjoy it to the fullest while you can.
