France is broken up into a variety of different regions, each with their own popular and traditional foods. Paris, the capital city, has its own popular foods to try. So if you are going to be visiting, you definitely need to get some of the traditional Parisienne food. There is so much food to try in Paris that it may be hard to get through all of it in one trip. I know we had a really hard time trying to get through our list because there were simply too many things to eat and not enough days! Below, I detail pastries (including Viennoiserie and boulangerie), main foods, and desserts. Don’t forget France has many incredible wines too.
Foods to Try in Paris
Different regions of France have different traditional foods. Today, we will focus on the traditional (and popular) food in the Île-de-France region. Of course, there are some truly famous French foods that you might want to try regardless of where you are in France. As you know, we like to travel and eat our way through countries and cities.
Traditional Pastries to Try in Paris
Before delving into the pastries, I want to detail the two types of stores you’ll find to go buy them. First is a boulangerie which focuses on breads, croissants, sandwiches, and other yeasted treats (viennoisserie). Second is a pâtisserie which specializes in decadent and decorated desserts. Some stores do both, but most are one or the other. In this section, I am going to give information on pastries you can find in boulangeries, but scroll down to desserts for stuff from pâtisseries.
Baguette
This is probably one of the most famous breads of France. It is a long, skinny bread with a crunchy, crusty exterior and a soft inside. The crumb is soft and almost a little elastic. You can buy baguettes from all boulangeries. You’ll see people walking around or biking around with baguettes. Definitely bread worthy of sandwiches if you enjoy a little picnic. Or you can also walk around eating a baguette!
Pain Couronne
Literally translated to “bread crown,” this bread is a ring made of 6-8 balls of bread. It is perfect for sharing. The bread can either be a rustic bread loaf or an enriched bread like brioche. While this bread might not be necessarily from Paris, it is very popular and easy to find in Parisian boulangeries.
Madelienes
Madelienes are not breads, but they are found in boulangeries. They are thicker cookies. Famously known for their “shell” shape, where one side has ridges, and the other side is kind of a bump. They are sweet (slightly) and a little more of a chewy, doughy cookie. They are incredible with a cup of coffee.
Canelé
A canelé is a rich, vanilla and rum-flavored custard with contrasting textures. The outside is a dark, thick, and crispy caramelized crust, while the inside is a soft, tender, spongy custard. It is a cross between a flan and a crème brûlée. They have a distinct form. Canelés are baked in a small, striated cylinder, which gives them their shape, along with a little depression at the top. At the same time, they can be a little expensive, but they are definitely worth trying.
Croissants
Another incredibly famous pastry from France! Croissants are flaky, crunchy, and buttery. Croissants are regulated in France, where you’ll find that the straight ones are made with butter, while the curved ones are made with oil or a butter/oil mixture. For the best, most traditional croissants get the butter ones! There are so many places to get croissants, and they are way cheaper than in the US. We went to La Maison D’Isabelle for the best ones in Paris.
Brioche
This enriched dough bread is probably one of my favorites in the whole world. Brioche is sold in a variety of different shapes, but the traditional shape is a striated “cupcake” bottom shape with a cupcake-rounded top and a little ball on top of that. You’ll also find brioche as balls sometimes with sugar on top, known as “brioche sucre”. I prefer it without the sugar on top as I find it too sweet, but a brioche is an excellent snacking bread for walking around Paris. It is a soft, fluffy bread with a hint of sweetness to it. I wouldn’t make it into a sandwich.
Pain au Chocolat
If you like croissants and chocolate, then Pain au Chocolat is for you! It is a croissant with chocolate baked inside. Whenever possible, I recommend getting a pain au chocolat and asking for it to be heated up. The chocolate is usually dark chocolate, but don’t let that stop you! It is delicious, crunchy, buttery, AND chocolatey.
Food From Paris
French Onion Soup
Probably one of my favorite soups (right after tomato soup) is French Onion Soup. It is a caramelized onion soup topped with thick layers of rustic bread and a healthy dose of cheese. The onions are deeply caramelized, which gives the broth an excellent flavor. Usually, it’s beef broth with caramelized onions. Then, thick layers of bread are added to the top. Finally, cheese is added to the bread before it gets broiled to give you gooey cheese. It’s truly a perfect soup for cold weather.
Croque-Monsieur
Of course, no list will be completed without a croque monsieur and a croque madame! This is a very popular sandwich, and it is absolutely delicious. It is a ham and cheese sandwich with a bechamel sauce on top, covered with some more cheese (for good measure), then broiled. The difference between croque monsieur and croque madame is that croque madame includes a fried egg on top. This is a knife and fork sandwich, not a hand sandwich.
Poulet Roti
In English, this is known as roasted chicken. It is probably one of the simplest foods, but also the most amazing. Famously, this roasted chicken with potatoes comes with a deeply rich white wine sauce. While the dish is very simple, when it is made well, it is absolutely succulent and incredible. The chicken should be moist with a good roasted flavor, with potatoes and a good helping of the white wine sauce.
Entrecôte Frites
Also known as steak and fries, this is another incredible dish. The steak is served with a delicious pepper sauce. Each restaurant and family has their own version of the pepper sauce, some leaning a little more green while others lean a little whiter. The steak is cooked to your liking with a healthy helping of fries and sauce.
Confit de Canard
While confit de canard may not be originally from Paris, you’ll find it in many of the different brasseries. It is a salt-cured and flavorful way of eating duck legs. Confit means “to preserve,” and that is exactly what is being done in this cooking technique. The salt-prepared duck legs are preserved either for immediate serving or for later. Originally, in Gascony, they used this method to prepare the whole duck, but in Paris, you’ll be served the legs. It is truly a succulent and tender way of preparing duck.
Cassoulet
Originally from the southern part of France, cassoulet is a staple in French cuisine. It is a meaty stew of poultry, sausage, pork, and beans, all under a rich dark brown crust. This is actually where we get the term for a casserole. The original Earthen pots used to cook the cassoulet evolved into what is now known as a casserole dish. So if you are looking to try a rich, savory, and meaty dish, which is the original casserole, look no further than the cassoulet.
Ratatouille
Made famous by the Disney movie, Ratatouille is a classical French Provençal vegetable stew. From the Nice region, this dish makes use of the abundant late summer produce. It is made with tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and many different herbs. The traditional method of making ratatouille involved cooking each vegetable separately, then combining and simmering them together until they melt in your mouth. The now popularized version of making it is the “layered” or “tian” version. This involves thinly slicing the vegetables, and then they are baked in the oven. It can be served warm, room temperature, or even cold.
Crêpes
Originally from the Brittany region of France, Crêpes are a staple in French food. Definitely a must-eat while visiting Paris. There are savory crêpes usually made with buckwheat flour and sweet crêpes. Crêpes are so popular that even street vendors make them. They are filled with all sorts of different things, from ham and cheese to Nutella and fruits. Head to a Crêperie to get the best crêpes outside of Brittany.
Cuisses de Grenouille
Also known as Frog Legs, cuisses de grenouille is a very famous French dish! Much like snails, while it seems like a strange thing to eat, it is very popular. There are several ways of preparing frog legs, with the traditional method being sautéed in butter and served with some olive oil and parsley. Additionally, you can enjoy frog legs pan-fried or even marinated with a variety of different spices and then sautéed. Frog legs have a soft, almost chicken-like flavor, which makes them easy to enjoy. While cuisses de grenouille are not from Paris but rather the Dombes region of France, they are readily available in Paris.
Escargot
While the origins of escargot in France are unclear, it is very clear that this is a very popular food in France. Escargot or snails have been a part of French cuisine for many generations. There are different ways of preparing escargot in different regions of France. In Paris, you are most likely to find the Burgundy version of escargot that was popularized in the 19th century. The snails are prepared with butter, garlic, and parsley, which gives the inside of the shell that characteristic green look. If you order them as an appetizer at a restaurant, you will be provided with tongs to pick up and hold the snail and small forks that are used to eat the snail.
Looking for the best places to find all these food? Check out our 48 Hours in Paris here!
Moules Frites
French for mussels and fries, this popular dish is one of my favorites. This dish originates from the north of France, right along the coast. The mussels are steamed in a white wine sauce and then served with a hefty side of fries. The broth includes things like shallots, garlic, butter, and herbs. While they may give you dipping sauces for the fries, I recommend skipping those and dipping the fries directly in the sauce. This dish can get messy, so make good use of your fork, and if you don’t get a second plate, leave your mussels as they are! As always, if the mussel is not open after it’s been steamed, do not eat it.
Desserts to Eat in Paris
Sainte Honoré
Named after the patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs, Sainte Honoré is a delicious “cake”. I put cake in quotes because it is not a cake as you and I think of it. More like a combination of choux pastry (profiteroles) and whipped cream. It can also come in an individual size or in a large sharing size. All the profiteroles are filled with a light and creamy filling and topped with caramelized sugar. It is decadent but also light.
Paris-Brest
Created to celebrate the 1200 km bicycling race from Paris to Brest, this pastry has remained a staple in french desserts. Paris-Brest looks like a bicycle wheel, and more than a century later, it is still popular. It is made with choux pastry that is piped into a wheel/circle. Once that is cooked, it is filled with a sweet, nutty almond filling and topped with almonds. It is a light and airy dessert.
Opera Cake
This famous French cake or gateau is known for its meticulous layers. It is an almond sponge known as a joconde, soaked in a coffee syrup, then layered with ganache and coffee, french butter cream, and covered in a chocolate glaze. It is the ultimate chocolate coffee cake, yet it still manages to be light. Due to the light sponge and thin layers, it is not overwhelming.
Île Flotante (Floating Island)
We tried Île flotante at a restaurant to see what it was all about, and we were hooked! It is a delightfully fluffy and airy piece of meringue that “floats” in a lake of custard. You’d think that it is an overly sweet dessert, but it’s really not, which was the most surprising part. Somehow, the merengue balances the custard. Instead, you get an interesting juxtaposition of textures that leaves you wanting more.
Mille Feuilles
Mille Feuilles, which literally translates to a thousand sheets, is one of the most famous desserts from France, and you might not even realize it. In the US, it is known as a Napoleon, and in other countries, it might be known as a custard slice or vanilla slice. Yet it dates back to the 17th century in France. It is three layers of flaky puff pastry and two layers of rich crème pâtissière. Traditionally, the top layer is finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. Sometimes it’ll be a marbles vanilla and chocolate icing design. The juxtaposition between the thin, flaky puff pastry and the smooth, soft cream filling will leave you wanting more.
Mousse au Chocolate
While this dessert is not from Paris, it is definitely a must-have dessert in France. Mousse was originally created as a salty food in France, but when chocolate was introduced to the French, it changed everything. This light and airy dessert is made with egg whites whipped up with sugar. Then it is mixed with chocolate. It is then left in the fridge to firm up. Chocolate mousse is a light, airy, chocolatey dessert that I could eat forever. With the incredible chocolate options in Paris, it is absolutely a food worth trying and eating in France.
Crème Brûlée
Objectively, one of the most famous desserts of France and Paris is the crème brûlée. You’ll find it as an option in nearly all restaurants. There is nothing like that first crack of the sugar to let you know that it’s going to be an amazing dessert. It is a rich, creamy vanilla custard with a crisp caramelized sugar top. My recommendation is to take the back of your spoon and give that sugar a firm tap to hear that first crack before digging right in. The mix of the sugar with the velvety custard is sublime.
Macarons
For the other of the most famous desserts of Paris is a must-eat food called macarons! They are a delicate, meringue-based sandwich cookie. Made even more famous by Laudree shops everywhere. Now I’d recommend skipping Laudree for nearly any other spot in Paris, but honestly, you can’t go wrong. Macarons have a distinct crunch when you bite into them with a soft, chewy interior. Sandwiched between them are different flavors of jams or spreads. There’s everything from chocolate to lemon. My recommendation would be to get fruit or citrus-based ones along with your richer chocolate or caramel ones.
Religieuse
Choux pastry is incredibly popular in French patisserie. The most famous being profiteroles. Now to further up their game you’ll want to try the religieuse which a small profiterole stacked on top of a larger one to make them look like a religious sister (hence the name). They are both filled with crème pâtissière and commonly topped with chocolate ganache. There is some buttercream used to keep them together. A great pastry to eat by yourself or to share. While the traditional flavor is chocolate, you’ll find many more flavors nowadays.
Baba au Rhum
This cake gives Caribbean rum cake a run for its money. It is a dense cake that is absolutely soaked in rum. The alcohol is not cooked off. So if you are not into alcohol, then I’d skip this dessert. But in order to cut some of the alcohol and add a little bit of sweetness, it is served with a light chantilly cream. The cake is soaked for so long that the density of the cake is now light, airy, and moist.
Wrap Up: Foods to Try in Paris
As you can see, there is so much food to eat in Paris. France is full of delicious foods and world-famous foods. It is truly impossible to eat your way through Paris (although I do recommend trying). The world-famous food makes it easy to recognize, so I’d recommend trying a variety of food that you’ve heard of before and some new items. We truly enjoyed trying new places in Paris while attempting to eat as much traditional food from Paris as possible. Remember, pastries and desserts are the main items that were created in Paris. Finally, don’t forget the many, many famous and popular French cheeses.
