7 Most Famous Foods in Paris (& the Best Places to Try Each One)

You could climb the Eiffel Tower, stroll down the Champs-Elysées, and spend the rest of your time in the French capital getting lost among paintings in the Louvre. But if you don’t eat out in Paris, you’ll have missed out entirely on what is almost sure sure to be a life-changing experience.

Food is an integral part of French culture. So much so, in fact, that UNESCO declared the French way of eating an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. Needless to say, when it comes to deciding what to eat in Paris, you’ll have a lot of options.

To better understand the country’s love for our gastronomy, there’s only one way: eat it all! Or at least, start with some of the most famous food in Paris.

These seven examples of famous food in Paris are the perfect way to fall in love with French cooking. To make your mission easier, we’ve even included a recommended address or two where you can try each bite. Bon appétit!

The Most Famous Food in Paris—And Where to Try It

Croissants: Cheap, yet unforgettable

Start your day like a true Parisian and get yourself an all-butter croissant for breakfast.

Croissants may look simple, but these perfectly flaky pastries require time (we’re talking several days!) and a whole set of skills to perfect. Whether you have them with your coffee, orange juice, or on their own, croissants are guaranteed to brighten up your morning!

And no need to worry about missing out on precious sightseeing time to sit down for breakfast. While lunch and dinner are more sacred sit-down affairs, breakfast on the go is completely acceptable here in France, so you can enjoy your croissant wherever.

Where to try the best croissant in Paris: Stay away from frozen industrial croissants and only order your pastries from true artisan bakeries. A great option is La Maison d’Isabelle (47ter Boulevard Saint-Germain), which has received an award for the Best Croissant in Paris. This boulangerie makes truly unforgettable croissants using organic flour and certified butter from the Charente-Poitou region. 

For another one of our favorite croissants in Paris, join our Paris Pastry & Chocolate Tour!

Escargots: A national symbol of Parisian food

You just can’t leave Paris without trying them!

Though we enjoy snails cooked in a variety of ways in Paris, the Burgundy recipe remains the most popular. The escargots (usually a dozen of them) are presented in their shells and stuffed with a mouthwatering combination of garlic, herbs, and butter.

However, escargots are now so popular that countless Paris restaurants have put their own creative spin on the dish. You’ll now find snails served with Roquefort, truffle, curry-based sauces, and so much more.

Want to know the best part? Not only are escargots delicious, but they’re also rich in iron and magnesium.

Where to try the best snails in Paris: L’Escargot Montorgueil is a true Parisian institution that has been serving snails for nearly 200 years. You can sample the traditional Burgundy variety, or spice things up and try the curry, foie gras, or truffle butter versions.

Insider’s tip: Can’t get enough escargot? Check out even more fabulous spots to try snails in Paris. 

Macarons: Bite-sized works of art

Not to be confused with macaroons (shredded coconut delicacies), macarons are possibly the best thing that ever happened to French sweets. Their delicate and airy shells are made of almond flour, and filled with a rich, luscious interior.

Nobody is quite sure where, exactly, these iconic treats come from. Some stories credit Catherine de Medici with the idea; others, a late 18th-century French Carmelite convent. But no matter which version of the story you believe, macarons might just be the most famous food in Paris today.

Insider’s tip: Typically made with almond flour, authentic Macarons are naturally gluten-free. If you’re searching for more gluten-free options in Paris, check out our list of 6 Gluten-Free Bakeries in Paris That Are Going to Change Your Life 

Popular flavors include pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, or raspberry, but don’t be scared to try some of the more unusual options, such as salted butter caramel, green tea, or rose petals.

Where to try the best macarons in Paris: Paris abounds with macaron specialty shops, most of them offering incredible quality. Pierre Hermé remains a clear favorite of ours for his creativity—and his Balinese dark chocolate macaron.

Dessert lovers should also try “Symphonie,” an innovative recipe by Tokyo-born Sadaharu Aoki. His scrumptious violet macaron comes filled with violet and earl grey creams as well as fresh raspberries. Délicieux!

Jambon-beurre: Paris street food at its best

Who knew sandwiches could taste so good?

Simplicity is key for this beloved lunch snack. A great jambon-beurre is all about the quality of its only three ingredients: Parisian ham, butter and, of course, the deliciously crispy baguette that’s holding the magic together.

But because the ingredient list is so short, it’s worth it to ensure that each one is of the utmost quality. That means a perfectly crusty baguette, excellent French butter, and real Parisian ham. (And yes, there’s a difference between this and your standard ham.)

Where to try the best jambon-beurre in Paris: Made from carefully-selected ingredients, the jambon-beurre sandwich at La Fontaine de Belleville is famous throughout the city. You can opt to have it to go, or sit down at the terrace and enjoy it alongside a green salad.

Steak tartare: A bistro classic

Eating raw meat may not be for everyone, but for daring foodies wanting to try traditional Parisian food, the reward promises to be extremely flavorful.

Steak tartare is a bistro classic that consists of raw ground beef seasoned with capers, onion and black pepper. Traditionally, you’ll find it served with a raw egg yolk on top.

Despite its popularity in France today, steak tartare actually came to the area by way of modern-day Mongolia. In the 17th century, Russian sailors brought it to Europe, and the rest is history.

Where to try the best steak tartare in Paris: Le Severo is heaven for carnivores, so you can expect the meat quality to be absolutely top notch. Their amazingly tasty steak tartare comes with french fries or green beans.

Insider’s tip: Have a short time in Paris, but want to try all the best plates the city has to offer? Check out what we would eat if we only had one day in Paris. 

Cheese: A world of possibilities

“How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?” former French president Charles De Gaulle famously asked. We don’t have the answer, but we do know that visiting such a cheese-loving country is bound to be a treat!

In fact, France offers more than 300 varieties of cheeses, ranging from creamy Brie de Meaux to pungent Munster. That’s over 300 possibilities to fall in love with French fromage!

Cheese is so highly regarded in France today that it’s even earned its place as part of the meal. A cheese course is traditionally served between the main course and dessert (or sometimes in place of the latter).

Where to try the best cheese in Paris: Fromagerie Laurent Dubois is a cheese lover’s dream come true. If you’re seeking a recommendation, don’t hesitate to consult one of the knowledgeable cheese experts on staff. Our personal favorites? A matured Comté or the distinctively delicious Roquefort.

Onion soup: The ultimate comfort food

Another famous food in Paris, onion soup is about as comforting as it gets.

According to legend, the recipe was invented by Louis XV nearly three centuries ago. Nowadays, the caramelized onion and beef broth is served gratinéed with crusty croutons and a slice of Gruyère cheese on top. And, oui bien sûr, it tastes as good as it sounds.

The preparation of traditional French onion soup is as simple as it gets, and a testament to how seriously we take our gastronomy here in France. What other place on earth could take the humble onion and elevate it to such culinary heights?

Where to try the best onion soup in Paris: Order it from the excellent Bistrot des Vosges, where the onion soup is maison (homemade), and to die for. 

The French onion soup at a beloved Marais eatery is a favorite on our Ultimate Paris Food Tour—but you’ll have to come along with us to find out where it is!

Eating in Paris FAQs

What is the most famous dish in Paris?

Whew. Choosing one famous dish out of so many may be an impossible task. Of course you have the croissant, the crepe and the macaron, all beloved Parisian classics as far as sweet treats. But when it comes to an actual dish, we’d have to say its a strong competition between French onion soup, escargots, and maybe the beloved croque monsieur, and of course, the cassoulet can’t be left out either. Yeah, this is an impossible task to choose just one.

What are unique Paris street foods?

The street food scene in Paris has exploded over the last few years. Where previously, eating on the street would have been frowned upon by locals, the city has now embraced it’s quick-bite culture, which, thankfully, has quite a bit on international flair. From warm falafel sandwiches to poutine, check out our favorite street food bites in Paris

What are the best Parisian food markets?

Ohhh, how we love strolling through European markets, and Paris definitely delivers. One of the most famous is the huge open-air Marché Bastille at Place de la Bastille. From gourmet delights to clothing to knickknacks, this market has it all, along with some amazing street food options. Another one of our favorites is the Marché d’Aligre. Located between the Place de la Bastille and the Place de la Nation, this market is both a food market and a flea market. A wonderful option for purchasing locally-grown fruits and veggies is the all-organic Marché Raspail, which is located in the  6th arrondissement.

Where can I try authentic French desserts?

From macarons to chocolate, and more, this city’s dessert scene is strong. For the most authentic desserts in Paris, first, we have to send you to the oldest bakery in the city, La Maison Stohrer. This family-run pâtisserie goes back to 1730 and is an absolute legend as far as desserts and chocolates. And if you’re looking to try the classic eclair, make sure to stop by L’Éclair De Génie.

What are the best international foods in Paris?

Although Paris holds a very proud grip on its traditional recipes and restaurants, the city is incredibly diverse when it comes to international foods. Hidden within the city’s twenty arrondissements, you can find any number of wonderful international restaurants. For example, we love these Vietnamese Restaurants in Paris. You also have a large number of Kosher restaurants as well. 

This blog post was updated on October 15th, 2024.

Want to get an even more exclusive look at the ins and outs of French food culture? Our Paris Ultimate Food Tour is calling your name. Join us for a morning full of foodie fun in the Marais, where we’ll devour some of France’s most emblematic bites at the places that do them best.