Parisian food is one of the best things everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. We often crave French food while sitting at a café or restaurant in other parts of the world. But nothing tastes more like Parisian food than Paris itself! The food items in Paris are worth-trying, especially in one of its beautiful locations, such as old-style cafes, boutique restaurants, and rooftop dining. If you are visiting Paris anytime soon, here are the top 11 foods that you should try in this city:
1. BAGUETTE
A trip to Paris is incomplete without eating at least one baguette found everywhere. This warm loaf of bread has been consumed in France for centuries now. Though every baguette is slightly different, finding a good one is not hard. First, you must look for a baguette with a crunchy golden crust and softness from the inside. Then, you can enjoy a plain baguette with butter, jam, cheese, chocolate spread and a cup of coffee.
2. FRENCH CHEESE
The top 2 on our list of best foods to try in Paris is cheese. If you only know mozzarella and cheddar cheese, it’s time to explore over 400+ varieties in France. In Paris, hundreds of cheeses are available at supermarkets, restaurants, and fromageries (cheese shops). If you want to try the best quality cheese, go to any fromageries in Paris. You can also read our Best French Cheeses to Try for Beginners.
3. CROISSANTS
It’s impossible to ignore croissants when you are in Paris. Although they originated in Austria, they are a staple in France, and you can get many kinds of croissants here. They’re buttery and flaky pastries, usually eaten with a cup of coffee for breakfast. However, you’ll also find croissants filled with almonds, chocolate, ham & cheese, and many other fillings. You can find them all over Paris, but the best ones are at Maison Pichard, Café Pouchkine, Boulangeries Eric Kayser or Stohrer for the best almond croissants in the city.
4. ECLAIRS
Desserts are in every corner of Paris. But éclair is one of the tastiest sweet treats in Paris. It is a long narrow pastry filled with coffee or chocolate cream (even special ones like vanilla, pistachio, or salted caramel) and with icing. Eclairs also come with various icings like croissants, chocolate being the most common. You can try eclairs anywhere in Paris and learn how to make one. Lenotre is such a place in Paris that offers eclairs-making workshops.
5. ESCARGOTS
If you’re an adventurous eater, go for the Escargots. It consists of edible land snails served intact with their shells or sometimes in puff pastry and eaten as an appetizer. They are often cooked with parsley and butter. For the best escargots in town, head off to L’escargot Montorgueil; they serve three flavours of a snail dish of over ten burgundy snails. Other places that serve the best escargots are Chez Fernand Christine, Allard and Le Louchebem (they serve Escargots in butter and parsley).
6. DUCK CONFIT
The top 6 of our foods to try in Paris is Duck Confit. It is a classic French dish made by curing the duck with salt, spices, and garlic in the fridge for at least 36 hours. After the curing process, the duck is simmered in its fat until it becomes tender and served hot with vegetables. Some good eateries to try duck confit in Paris include; Les Philosophes, Bouillon Racine and La Jacobine.
7. MACARONS
Macarons are world-renowned, but nothing can beat the ones made in Paris. They are delicious cream-filled cookies from egg whites, almond flour, and sugar. Usually, they come in various colours and flavours, such as salted caramel and raspberry. Several shops and colourful cafes sell macarons around Paris, each prettier than the next. But the best ones are at Pierre Hermé; they offer incredible combinations of flavours in their macarons, including passionfruit and milk chocolate, salted butter caramel, foie-gras (French pate) and Madagascan vanilla with chocolate. You may also try the ones at Dalloyau (French High-Quality Catering).
8. STEAK FRITES
You must try Steak Frites in Paris if you are a steak lover. This dish consists of a piece of steak which you can have medium or well done with a plate of French fries. Many places serve “Steak Frites” in Paris, but if you want an unforgettable experience, you should visit Le Relais De L’Entrecôte. The restaurant’s best-selling dish is tender sirloin steak with secret sauce and french fries. Some other popular places to try this dish include Sur La Braise, L’Aller Retour and Au Bœuf Couronné.
9. CRÊPES
No one does the crepes best but the French! They are locals’ favourites you can easily find anywhere, from cafes to street vendors so that you can grab and go.
Crepes in Paris can be sweet or savoury. It can be topped with caramel-like syrup, fruits, and whipped cream. However, if you are not a fan of sweet crepes, don’t worry, as you can also find savoury crepes in Paris, filled with a variety of meats, vegetables, and French cheeses (like “la complète”, cooked with ham, shredded cheese and topped with a fried egg).
Head off to the Latin Quarter in the 5th and 6th arrondissement and find the creperie place of your choice, or Bretons and try their butter crepe for dessert for sweet cravings. For savoury crepes, there is no better place than Breizh Café. My favourite is the caramel beurre salé, which has that unique blend of salty and sweet.
10. ONION SOUP
You cannot leave Paris without trying the famous onion soup. The savoury soup, from beef broth and onions, is often topped with cheese and toasted sliced baguette. Try the onion soup at Flottes in Paris, Au Pied de Cochon, and La Rotonde, to name a few. If you want a less dense version of this soup, then Vavin should be your best bet. Enjoy the soup here and leave with a satisfied tummy without feeling heavy!
11. CHOCOLATES
Talk about all things sweet in Paris without mentioning chocolate? Impossible! Have you been to a luxury shoe shop? Well, in Paris, chocolate shops are just like that. It’s chocolate paradise. Chocolates in Paris take you to another level – they taste like nothing else. So, if you are a die-hard chocolate fan, you must opt for a chocolate tour in Paris. Apart from that, many chocolate shops are worth visiting, especially Jacques Genin. At Jacques, you’ll find the most exotic and unique flavoured chocolates, including coriander, tonka bean, Sichuan pepper, and caramel.
These are just a few of the many food items Parisians are proud of! Explore the city and ask for local delicacies at restaurants, cafes, and street vendors. No matter what you eat, you can never go wrong with any food in Paris. Now that you have your Top 11 foods to try in Paris but haven’t planned where to go check out our A Week in Paris Itinerary.
