What to Eat in Paris: 13 Famous Food in Paris You Must Try!
Wondering what to eat in Paris? Here’s the Top 13 must-eat food in Paris!
While I’m not known to be a foodie, I’ve become one because of my wife. She loves to eat and try out new restaurants, and she takes me everywhere with her, whether at home or on our travels.
In case you haven’t already heard, our home is Paris (born and raised) and luckily, Paris is an ideal playground for foodies! French cuisine is out of this world and I think tasting some typical specialties is key for anyone wanting the full Parisian experience.
So, I’m sharing in this post the 13 most famous food in Paris that I think you must try as a local, along with some good tips on where to get them.
The 13 Best Food to Try in Paris
I’ve listed here the most popular dishes in Paris you should try, sweet, savory, and beverages included.
Planning your trip to Paris and don’t know where to stay yet? Check out this guide.
1. Croissant & Pain au Chocolat
One of the iconic symbols of French “art de vivre” is the Croissant! Just edging out Pain au Chocolat, the Croissant is the most-eaten viennoiserie in France.
Originally brought to Paris by Austrian bakers in the 1830s, this Viennese pastry is beloved for its buttery, flaky layers. It used to be more like a brioche, but now it’s made with puff pastry and brushed with egg for that perfect crunch. And let’s not forget its cocoa-filled counterpart, pain au chocolat, which is my absolute favorite! Honestly, I can easily devour four of them in one go!
Where to Eat: You can step into (almost) any bakery you come across. But if I had to recommend one specifically, it would be Victoire Boulangerie in the 9th arrondissement.
2. Cheese & Charcuterie Platter
We French people consider cheese (and charcuterie) to be a meal in its own right. That’s how passionate we are about it! Of course, we eat it with a good crispy baguette fresh from the bakery. And wine, preferably red.
Most bars and brasseries in Paris offer cheese platters, with or without charcuterie. You’ll have a variety of French cheeses and cured meats such as Brie, Roquefort, and Comté, alongside cured meats such as saucisson sec, jambon de Bayonne, and pâté. It’s served with baguette slices and sometimes accompanied with some cornichons (pickles) and jam.
Where to Eat: Oplato in the 11th arrondissement is specialized in cheese and charcuterie platters. What sets it apart is that it’s the only place I know where you can fully customize your platter as you wish.
3. Steak-Frites
Although simple, Steak-Frites is one of the most popular and classical French meals. As the cheese and charcuterie platter, it’s a staple in Paris bistros and brasseries.
It’s a juicy, pan-seared or grilled steak with crispy French fries, often served with a small green salad on the side. The steak is typically seasoned simply with salt and pepper and cooked to your preferred doneness. Of course, you’ll have ketchup and mayo, but you can prefer some typical French sauces such as Béarnaise or Peppercorn sauce, perfect for dipping steak and fries.
Where to Eat: Without any hesitation, I recommed Le Relais de l’Entrecôte in Montparnasse for its secret sauce that comes with it!
4. Paris-Brest
This is one of my favorite pastries! It’s a ring-shaped choux pastry filled with rich praline-flavored cream and topped with powdered sugar and sliced almonds. Contrary to what you might think, it’s light and airy, provided you choose the right pastry to enjoy it.
It’s named after a famous bicycle race between the cities of Paris and Brest. And it’s circular shape is meant to resemble a bicycle wheel.
Where to Eat: You can indulge in the finest Paris-Brest at Chef Philippe Conticini’s pastry in the 7th arrondissement.
5. Crêpes
While most French people cook Crêpes at home, especially for Mardi Gras, it’s also very much appreciated both in restaurants or on food stalls as a street food.
Crêpe is a thin, delicate pancake made from a simple batter of flour, eggs, milk, and a pinch of salt. It can be enjoyed sweet or savory. Sweet crêpes are often filled with ingredients like Nutella, jam, ice cream, or sugar and lemon. Savory crêpes, also known as galettes, are filled with a wide variety of ingredients such as cheese, ham, eggs, mushrooms, spinach, salmon… It’s very versatile and can be infinitely customized, that’s why everyone loves it.
Where to Eat: Crêperie Bertine in the 11th arrondissement is for sure the best place to enjoy Crêpes in Paris.
6. Macarons
A macaron is a delicate French cookie made from almond flour, egg whites, and sugar, featuring a smooth, crisp shell and a chewy interior. They come in a variety of flavors and colors and are typically filled with ganache or buttercream.
These colorful, bite-sized treats are both visually appealing and delicious, making them a favorite in patisseries. You certainly know La Durée, a famous shop selling Macarons all around the world!
Where to Eat: French people agree that the best Macarons in the world are from the iconic chef Pierre Hermé. He has several shops in France and Paris. I recommend his shop at the Opera Garnier area.
7. Onion Soup
The Onion Soup is one of the most iconic French dishes! It’s a soup made with caramelized onions simmered in a rich beef broth. It’s typically topped with a slice of toasted baguette and melted Gruyère cheese, then baked until bubbly and golden.
Often enjoyed as a hearty appetizer or a light meal, Onion Soup is savory, slightly sweet from the onions, and incredibly comforting. It’s also known as ‘the drunkards’ soup’ because it’s a popular after-hangover meal.
Where to Eat: Au Pied de Cochon in the 1st arrondissement has one of the most delicious Onion Soup I’ve ever tasted.
8. Croque-Monsieur
Similar to a grilled cheese, a Croque-Monsieur is a classic French grilled sandwich. It’s traditionally made with slices of bread filled with ham and cheese (commonly Gruyère, Emmental, or Comté) then topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and more cheese. The whole thing is baked or toasted until it’s golden and crispy.
There are lots of versions of the Croque-Monsieur now, without meat or even veggie versions. Most of the time, accompaniments include French fries and/or a salad.
Where to Eat: Tram Librairie and Square Trousseau are some of the best places in Paris to try the Croque Monsieur.
9. Wine
France is famous worldwide for the quality and variety of its wine, so you definitely must try some when visiting Paris. The city offers a unique opportunity to taste wines from all the famous regions of France, like Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne.
Plus, wine is a big part of French culture, so enjoying a glass at a cozy café or a chic wine bar lets you experience the local lifestyle. Whether you’re a wine lover or just curious, sipping on French wine in Paris is a delightful experience.
Where to Eat: There are tons of great wine bars of Paris, such as Le Barav in Le Marais which also has a festive atmosphere. Or you can choose to have dinner with customized wine selection.
10. Escargots
While I’m personally not a fan of this dish, Escargots has to be on this list as it’s one of the most iconic French specialties. Escargots are often enjoyed as an appetizer.
It’s made from snails, typically cooked in a rich garlic, parsley, and butter sauce. The snails are usually served in their shells, which makes for a unique presentation. And to eat them, you need a special fork to extract the meat from the shell. It’s tender, slightly chewy, and essentially has the taste of butter and herbs.
Where to Eat: I recommend trying Escargot at Bouillon Chartier. There are several bouillons in Paris, which are traditionnal restaurants serving classic French comfort food at very affordable prices in a lively atmosphere. But, be prepared to queue up a bit.
11. Coq au Vin
Coq au Vin translates to ‘rooster in wine’: It’s made by slow-cooking chicken (traditionally a rooster) in red wine, usually Burgundy, along with mushrooms, onions, garlic, and bacon. The whole is simmered for a long time (about 2,5 hours) until the chicken is tender and the flavors meld together.
It’s a rich, flavorful stew that’s often served with crusty bread or potatoes. This staple in French homes is hearty and comforting, perfect for cold weather.
Where to Eat: L’Auberge Bressanne near the Eiffel Tower is one of the best places to have a Coq au Vin.
12. Mille-Feuille
Mille-Feuille is a classic French pastry also known as ‘Napoleon’. It’s made of several layers of thin, flaky puff pastry filled with rich pastry cream and often topped with a glaze or powdered sugar.
It’s absolutely delicious but tricky to eat without making a mess, as the creamy filling tends to get everywhere. They say there’s a technique to eating it neatly, but I’ve never quite mastered it!
Where to Eat: The pastry shop of La Grande Epicerie de Paris serves a marvelous Mille Feuille, along with other great classic French pastries.
13. Ratatouille
This is a super popular dish now thanks to the Disney movie “Ratatouille,” where the lovable rat Remy makes it famous. But it’s a deserved fame because it’s an absolutely wonderful dish.
It’s a traditional vegetable stew made with eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions, all simmered together with herbs. Ratatouille is not only delicious and healthy but also a colorful and comforting classic that brings a bit of French countryside to your plate.
Best Food Tours in Paris
If you’re a foodie and absolutely can’t miss out on tasting the must-try food in Paris, you should definitely take one of these best-rated tours:
- Saint Germain des Prés Guided Foodie Walking Tour: This tour is the best if you want to discover Paris’ oldest neighborhood while sampling savory and sweet treats on the way.
- Food and Wine Tasting Walking Tour in Le Marais: Explore Le Marais’ diverse scene food thanks to this 3.5-hour tour with no less than 11 samples and 2 drinks.
- Night Food Tour in Montmartre: Experience Montmartre at night like a true local. This fun tour will take you to the best eateries for locals, far from the tourist traps.
- Behind the Scenes Bakery Tour with Breakfast: If you want to discover the French art of bakery while feasting, this is your tour. Kids will love it!
- French Wine Tasting Class with Sommelier: During this 2-hour wine experience, you’ll learn how to taste and identify wines like a pro with 6 drinks included.
Best Places to Eat in Paris
I’ve gathered here the places I’ve mentioned in the list above on this map. They are all amazing places so make sure to try some of them while exploring the city.
To get my map of the best places to eat in Paris, simply click on the image below to open it in Google Maps. Then click on the “star” icon to save it to your own maps.
🔍 Read More About Paris:
- Dangerous Areas to Avoid in Paris
- Best Places to See in Paris
- Best Beaches Near Paris
- Why You Should Visit Paris in Winter
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