You could climb the Eiffel Tower, stroll down the Champs-ElysĂŠes, and spend the rest of your time in the French capital getting lost among paintings in the Louvre. But if you donât eat out in Paris, youâll have missed out entirely.
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!
![Restaurant table full of delicious and varied plates of food](https://wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019-09-13-19-02-31-1.jpg)
To better understand the countryâs love for our gastronomy, thereâs 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, weâve even included a recommended address or two where you can try each bite. Bon appĂŠtit!
The Most Famous Food in ParisâAnd 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 (weâre 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 them: Stay away from frozen industrial croissants and only order your pastries from true artisan bakeries. A great option is La Maison dâIsabelle (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.Â
For another one of our favorite croissants in Paris, join our Paris Pastry & Chocolate Tour!
![Three Italian-style croissants on a white plate in a person's hand](https://wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/croissants-cornetti.jpeg)
Escargots: A national symbol
You just canât 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. Youâll 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 theyâre also rich in iron and magnesium.
Where to try them: LâEscargot 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.
Insiderâs tip: Canât get enough escargot? Check out even more fabulous spots to try snails in Paris.Â
![Plate of snails or escargot in butter and herbs with wine at a table in Paris](https://wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0046-e1705397788535.jpg)
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.
Popular flavors include pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, or raspberry, but donât be scared to try some of the more unusual options, such as salted butter caramel, green tea, or rose petals.
Where to try them: Paris abounds with macaron specialty shops, most of them offering incredible quality. Pierre HermĂŠ remains a clear favorite of ours for his creativityâand his Balinese dark chocolate macaron.
Dessert lovers should also try âSymphonie,â 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. DĂŠlicieux!
![Yellow, brown, and orange macaron cookies](https://wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/macarons-1.jpeg)
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 thatâs holding the magic together.
But because the ingredient list is so short, itâs 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, thereâs a difference between this and your standard ham.)
Where to try it: 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, 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, youâll 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 it: 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.
![steak tartare with roasted potatoes on a white plate at a fine dining restaurant](https://wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC02361-scaled.jpg)
Cheese: A world of possibilities
âHow can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?â former French president Charles De Gaulle famously asked. We donât have the answer, but we do know that visiting such a 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. Thatâs over 300 possibilities to fall in love with French fromage!
Cheese is so highly regarded in France today that itâs 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 it: Fromagerie Laurent Dubois is a cheese loverâs dream come true. If youâre seeking a recommendation, donât hesitate to consult one of the knowledgeable cheese experts on staff. Our personal favorites?A matured ComtĂŠ or the distinctively delicious Roquefort.
![Parisian store counter with french cheeses, fromagerie](https://wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC01993-2.jpg)
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 gratinÊed with crusty croutons and a slice of Gruyère cheese on top. And, oui bien sÝr, 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 it: Order it from the excellent Bistrot des Vosges, where the onion soup is maison (homemade), and to die for.Â
The French onion soup at a beloved Marais eatery is a favorite on our Ultimate Paris Food Tourâbut youâll have to come along with us to find out where it is!
![french onion soup in white bowl](https://wordpress-assets-devourtours.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr-french-onion-soup.jpg)
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 weâll devour some of Franceâs most emblematic bites at the places that do them best.
I want to try everything
That’s the spirit! Thanks for reading, Walter!
Paris is a cool place I wish Icould go their food sound delish.
We hope you’re able to make it to Paris sometime soon! Thanks for reading đ
Your welcome đ
Yummy! Thanks for the recommendations!
Thanks for reading, Harper! đ
Thats amazing website ! Wish to go in 2021 to eat these delicious food!
Thanks for reading, Rigya! We hope to see you in Paris sometime soon!
Wonderful post! Paris is one of the most preferred destinations for tourists & sybarites not only because of its popular attractions but also for its amazing cafĂŠs & restaurants. I am glad to have applied for a France Visa UK as I get to explore various facets of France with my lovely wife. Your blog might just make our France trip more memorable as it offers some remarkable places where we can enjoy mouth-watering gastronomical delights.
So glad you found it helpful! Have a lovely trip to France!
We r doing a project on Paris so this was really helpful
Happy to help! Best of luck on your project!
Iâm in love with Paris and Iâm here now for 10 days! So I will try to visit all these places. But I really need to find the real Crepe Susette. Do you have any suggestion?
Hi Mariyana,
While the origins of crepes Suzette are a bit murky (and they may not even have originated in Paris), Breizh Cafe does an excellent version! We hope you enjoy!
Thanks a lot!! It’s my dream to visit France and roam through the streets of the “City of love” with a loving soulmate. Surely try all of these. Thank you for making me fall in love with France all over againđ
Thanks for reading, Vasudha!
This is so helpful
Thanks for reading, Tess!
Oh my god. Now I REEEEEEEEEEEEEEALLY want to go to Paris. When I go, (Not sure when đ) I’ll have to try everything. This was super helpful, thanks!
So glad you found it helpful! We hope you’re able to make it to Paris soon đ
Going to Paris with my daughter on 1st week of December for 8 days! Thank you for this tips, canât wait to try them â¤ď¸
Thanks for reading, Maria! So glad the blog post was helpful. Have a wonderful trip with your daughter đ
Very helpful.
Thanks for reading!