For those who love to sink their teeth into culinary delights and delectable dishes during their travels, France is a country filled with morsels that will tantalise your tastebuds and leave you longing for more after you’ve left.
Having developed a reputation in Europe for its spectacular – and extremely unique – cuisine, visiting France will take you on a memorable culinary journey. But, of all of the destinations in the country that promise a gastronomic getaway to remember, France’s capital, Paris, has to be added to the top of culinary connoisseurs’ lists.
The City of Lights is much more than the home of breathtaking architecture, world-famous art, and iconic monuments. It is a hub of culinary craftsmanship from across the country where timeless dishes and local delicacies live in harmony, and await many hungry tourists looking to taste them on their travels.
Whether you venture to one of the city’s many traditional cafés, its thriving food markets, or even its Michelin-starred eateries, you’re guaranteed to find much-loved recipes and gourmet ingredients on the menu that will give you a real glimpse into French, and Parisian, cuisine.
If you’re not already hungry, you will be soon, as we’re here to share the 10 most popular foods in Paris to offer you some inspiration for what to savour during your next French getaway. We’ve also shared exactly where you should go to sample the very best of these Parisian foods.
So, what are you waiting for? Dig in!
Arguably the most famous food in France, no Parisian morning is complete without a buttery, flaky croissant – preferably accompanied by a hot cup of coffee. Freshly baked before sunrise in patisseries across the capital, this cheap but unforgettable pastry will have you questioning how you ever settled for supermarket imitations. As you roam through Paris’ cobblestone streets in the morning, you’ll no doubt catch the smell of a batch of freshly baked croissants wafting through the air.
We’d recommend capitalising on the moment whilst you can and stopping in any traditional French cafes and bakeries you may come across to try this delectable Parisian food at its freshest. And when you do, you can go classic or opt for versions stuffed with a preserve, almond paste, or even hazelnut spread for those feeling indulgent.
Looking for the crown jewel of the Parisian croissant world? La Maison d’Isabelle – nestled in the city’s Latin Quarter – is a firm favourite amongst locals and tourists alike. Offering croissants baked to perfection with beautiful flaky exteriors and buttery interiors, this bakery makes croissants throughout the day, so you’re guaranteed to bag one. So, you have no excuse not to try this mouth-watering Parisian food during your next visit to the city.
Another excellent breakfast option on the go, crêpes are – in our opinion – the best street food in Paris. You’ll find street food vendors throughout the city serving up freshly folded crêpes in abundance, making it the perfect on-the-go Parisian food to fuel you on your city adventures.
Essentially a large, thin, and sweet pancake, this famous food in Paris is almost always available in both sweet and savoury flavour combinations. You’ll find many street stands topping them with butter and sugar, Nutella, jam, honey, or even chestnut spread. Just make sure you see vendors making the crêpes before purchasing one – while this process takes a little longer, there’s no point paying for something that they’re just reheating!
After a sit-down experience with a twist to sample popular foods in Paris, including the heavenly crêpe? Head to Breizh Café and try out its menu of both traditional and more outlandish crêpe options – think ginger and yuzu but also chocolate and vanilla ice cream – this venue truly caters to all!
If you’re visiting Paris during the chillier months, cosy up and warm your soul with a hot bowl of French onion soup – simply referred to as “onion soup” in France. This is a typical French dish that has been replicated internationally, but trust us when we say that the authentic version made in Paris truly is unbeatable.
Every country has its own comfort foods, and in France, onion soup is one of the best around. Made with beef broth, caramelised onion, and often topped with plenty of gooey melted cheese, there’s not much a big hearty bowl of this traditional French food can’t fix. While visiting the country’s capital, especially during the winter season, a bowl of onion soup is a Paris must-eat.
La Jacobine is a snug restaurant within one of Paris’ many historic passageways, serving up an exquisite bowl of onion soup that is hard to compete with. Many who have visited the French eatery have praised it for its onion soup, stating it’s one of the best they’ve ever eaten. If that’s not enough to convince you to taste this unmissable Parisian food, we don’t know what is.
If you’re a cheese lover who simply has to get their fix during a holiday, you’ve come to the right place. Over 300 varieties of cheese can be found across France, and many of them are in the heart of Paris – so you don’t have to stick to just comté and camembert.
If there are any foods to try in Paris, its plethora of cheeses is a fantastic place to start your culinary journey in the city. From strong Roquefort to nutty Gruyere, there’s a reason why France has developed a reputation for its exceptional cheeses given its long-standing cheese-making heritage and traditions.
With a range of cheeses being the most popular foods in Paris, it only makes sense that you should try a little bit of everything during your stay. Make sure to save room for a cheese course after your meals out at restaurants, as they are typically served after your main and before dessert. Head to one of the markets and get talking to a cheesemonger – they may just offer you a few samples too!
And if you want to try even more varieties, think about heading to La Fromagerie. A very popular fromager in Paris, it has quickly made its name as one of the best cheese shops in the city. Serving everything from soft to hard cheeses, the shop has knowledgeable cheesemongers on hand to pair you with your perfect cheese.
A dainty, delicious, and decadent Parisian food, macarons are one of the city’s most famous eye-catching exports. Typically enjoyed in just two bites, the meringue-based morsels can be ordered to go from one of many dedicated macaron shops around the city, or enjoyed tableside with a cup of espresso.
One of the most difficult-to-master traditional French foods around, the airy and chewy shells of the meringue are sandwiched together with flavoured creams or ganaches, including vanilla, raspberry, and pistachio. If you want to have an elevated Parisian food experience, macarons are a great place to start.
Feeling experimental? Head to Pierre Hermé Paris, where you’ll find macarons flavoured with everything from rose and lychee and raspberry to milk chocolate and passion fruit! The shop is that of famous French pastry chef and chocolatier Pierre Hermé, who is known worldwide for his edible works of art that are almost too good to eat!
A typical French dish that you really can’t go wrong with, steak frites – or steak and chips – is something that you’re bound to come across if you’re eating in Paris’ many eateries and restaurants. In fact, locals and tourists can’t get enough of it, and we know why – there’s nothing not to love!
Cooked right, the prime cuts of steak stay beautifully juicy, and the freshly cooked skinny chips remain crispy on the outside but fluffy on the inside – a perfect pairing. You’ll often find the dish served alongside a classic peppercorn sauce or even a compound butter.
Le Relais de l’Entrecôte has become social media famous in recent years, but it is truly worth the hype. Whilst eating in Paris at this traditional bistrot, you’ll be served a hearty portion of steak frites, with the waiters even coming back to serve you more as you eat. You certainly won’t leave here hungry!
While those unfamiliar with escargot might squirm at the thought of them, they are missing out. Escargot is one of the most famous foods in Paris, and those who don’t take a chance to sample this delicacy will regret it given how truly delicious they are!
Translating to snails, escargot can be prepared so beautifully with parsley and butter whilst being stuffed with garlic – which is the Burgundy way – and we’d recommend you order it when you’re next eating in Paris at an authentic establishment.
You’ll also find restaurants around the capital putting their own spin on the signature, with fillings like curry sauce, foie gras, and truffle butter all becoming popular too. So, be sure to give escargot a try, for it is the food that travellers often love once they’ve given it a chance.
Head to L’Escargot Montorgueil, known around the city for its delightful atmosphere and delicious Parisian foods, including escargot, which it serves slathered in butter and parsley – truly scrumptious!
One of the best Parisian street foods, Jambon-beurre is the name for a crispy buttered French baguette filled with pink ham. Sounds simple, right? But it’s the quality of ingredients that elevates what is otherwise a humble sandwich into something unmissable.
You’ll find this simple but perfect quick snack or lunch at street vendors throughout the streets of Paris. They’re the ideal quick bite to eat if you’re on the go, and we have no doubt they’ll hit the spot for you.
The one thing with the delightful Jambon-beurre is that, given its simplicity, you want to make sure that what you’re being served is high quality. This is why you should head to La Fontaine de Belleville, a chic Parisian eatery serving Jambon-beurres, cakes, and coffee. They’ve got a terrace for dining in too!
Hungry for something even more indulgent than a Jambon-beurre, but you still have a taste for warm, buttered bread and delicious meat? You should try a croque monsieur, which is made using buttered bread, ham, and melted cheese – and we’re talking a lot of melted cheese.
This distinctly French take on the everyday grilled cheese sandwich or toastie is also relatively inexpensive, and a real delicacy in Parisian cuisine. If you’re feeling extra peckish, opt for a croque madame instead, which comes with a fried egg on top!
For a croque monsieur that does not disappoint, head to Le Petit Cler. This restaurant doesn’t skimp on the size of this popular Parisian food, with a huge piece of bread filled to the brim with melted cheese and ham that will have your mouth watering as soon as it’s served up to you.
Time to strip things back. No ham, no cheese, no egg – just freshly baked-that-morning baguettes. They’ve been enjoyed by Parisians for centuries (even though the word for them was only invented some 100 years ago), and are a staple food in Paris that you’ll find in every household in the city.
The great thing about the hearty baguette is it can be eaten just about anywhere. Why not grab a couple to go, pick out a selection of preserves and fresh fruits to eat with them, and head for a picnic in the park? We recommend Champ de Mars, which just so happens to be right behind the Eiffel Tower, so you can soak in the beautiful views of the city in one of its lovely greenspaces.
For a baguette like no other, you need to visit Au Levain des Pyrénees. There’s a reason this traditional bakery won the Best Paris Baguettes title in 2023. Offering affordable and delicious French pastries, desserts, and baked goods, be sure to visit here on an empty stomach!
So, there you have it – our top 10 French foods to try in Paris on your next city break. From delicate, chewy macarons to delectable cheeses and perfectly crusty baguettes, Paris is the place for foodie travellers to savour the many delicacies and culinary delights that France has to offer.
Looking for a place to stay in one of the world’s best foodie destinations? We’ve got luxury apartments in Paris that are suitable for friends, families, and couples alike – anyone who is keen for a getaway that includes trying all the foods in Paris! If you need a little help choosing just one that’s perfect for your needs, speak to a member of our concierge team.
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