Planning a trip to the French capital and wondering what to eat in Paris? This article is curated by Vadim Hedonist, a local Paris guide, to help you confidently discover the most exciting dishes of French cuisine.
From flaky croissants and iconic pastries to luxurious foie gras and Michelin-starred masterpieces, this guide covers everything you need to taste during your Parisian journey.
🥐 Parisian Bakery (Boulangerie) Must-Eats
Parisian bakeries are legendary—and for good reason. The smell of fresh bread and buttery pastries alone is enough to tempt any traveler. If you’re wondering what to eat in Paris, this is the perfect place to begin:
- Croissant – Buttery, flaky, and perfectly golden. A true Parisian classic.
- Pain au Chocolat – A flaky, buttery pastry filled with rich dark chocolate.
- Baguette – A fresh, crispy French baguette—perfect with cheese or butter.
- Chausson aux Pommes – A delicate puff pastry filled with warm apple compote.
- Kouign-Amann – A caramelized, buttery pastry from Brittany.
🍰 Classic French Desserts & Pastries
French desserts are pure magic—light, decadent, and unforgettable. If you’re wondering what to eat in Paris after a meal, these are the quintessential French treats you shouldn’t miss:
- Macarons – Delicate almond-based cookies with creamy fillings. Try Ladurée or Pierre Hermé for the best.
- Éclair – A choux pastry filled with cream and topped with glazes like chocolate, caramel, or fruit.
- Tarte Tatin – A caramelized upside-down apple tart that’s warm and comforting.
- Crème Brûlée – A rich vanilla custard with a perfectly crisp caramelized sugar crust.
- Mille-Feuille – Layers of crispy puff pastry and silky pastry cream.
🦪 French Delicacies You Shouldn’t Miss
Paris offers sophisticated dishes that define fine French cuisine. If you’re wondering what to eat in Paris beyond the basics, try these refined delicacies:
- Foie Gras – A rich duck or goose liver pâté, often served with fruit compote or toasted bread.
- Escargots de Bourgogne – Snails baked in garlic butter—surprisingly delicious!
- Huîtres (Oysters) – Fresh, briny, and best enjoyed with a glass of crisp white wine.
- Fromage (Cheese) – France has over 1,000 types! Try Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, or Comté from a local fromagerie.
- Truffle Dishes – French black truffles add luxurious flavor to pasta, omelets, and risottos.
🌯 Iconic Parisian Street Food
Street food in Paris is simple yet delicious. If you’re wondering what to eat in Paris like a local, this is where to begin:
- Baguette Sandwich – A Paris street food classic! Crispy baguette filled with ham, cheese, smoked salmon, tuna, or goat cheese.
- Quiche Lorraine – A savory pie with eggs, cream, bacon, and cheese in a flaky crust.
- Croque Monsieur – A grilled ham and cheese sandwich with creamy béchamel sauce.
- Crêpes – Try a classic Nutella crêpe or a savory ham & cheese (jambon-fromage) version.
- Falafel – Head to the Marais district for the best falafel in Paris (hint: try L’As du Fallafel).
🍽 Parisian Café & Restaurants of French Cuisine
Sitting at a Parisian café, sipping coffee, and people-watching is a must. If you’re wondering what to eat in Paris when dining out, here are the timeless dishes to order while you soak in the atmosphere:
Appetizers
- French Onion Soup – Caramelized onions in a rich broth, topped with melted cheese and crispy bread.
- Foie Gras – Luxurious duck or goose liver pâté, served with toasted bread and fig jam.
- Escargots de Bourgogne – Snails baked in garlic-parsley butter, a true French delicacy.
- Pâté de Campagne – Rustic country-style pork pâté, served with bread and pickles.
- Oeufs Mayonnaise – Classic French dish of hard-boiled eggs with creamy mustard mayo.
Main Courses
- Steak Frites – A perfectly cooked steak served with crispy French fries – simple yet iconic.
- Coq au Vin – Chicken slow-cooked in red wine with mushrooms and bacon, a comforting classic.
- Bœuf Bourguignon – Beef braised in red wine with vegetables, rich and flavorful.
- Duck Confit – Slow-cooked duck with crispy skin, served with potatoes or salad.
- Moules-Frites – Fresh mussels steamed in white wine and garlic, served with fries.
- Sole Meunière – Delicate Dover sole pan-fried in butter and lemon sauce, a French seafood favorite.
- Magret de Canard – Seared duck breast, often served medium-rare with a rich sauce.
- Blanquette de Veau – A creamy veal stew with mushrooms and carrots.
Desserts
- Profiteroles – Cream-filled choux pastries with warm chocolate sauce.
- Île Flottante – A light, fluffy meringue floating on vanilla custard.
- Moelleux au Chocolat – A molten chocolate lava cake.
- Crème Brûlée – A rich vanilla custard with a perfectly crisp caramelized sugar crust.
- Chocolate Mousse – A rich and velvety chocolate dessert, light yet intensely flavorful. A true French classic found in many Parisian cafés and restaurants.
🌟 Michelin-Starred French Dining
Paris is home to some of the world’s most exquisite Michelin-starred restaurants. If you’re wondering what to eat in Paris when you’re craving luxury on a plate, these dishes are for you:
Appetizers
- Amuse-Bouche – A small, complimentary bite to awaken your taste buds.
- Foie Gras au Torchon – A refined foie gras preparation, often served with fruit compote.
- Caviar & Blinis – Delicate fish roe served with small pancakes and crème fraîche.
- Velouté de Homard – Creamy lobster bisque with a rich, deep flavor.
Main Courses
- Lièvre à la Royale (façon poitevine) – Wild hare slow-cooked in red wine, creating a rich and deeply flavored ragout.
- Lièvre à la Royale (Carême) – Deboned wild hare stuffed with whole foie gras and truffles, then slow-braised in a luxurious sauce.
- Homard Bleu Rôti – Roasted blue lobster, a rare and exquisite delicacy.
- Filet de Bœuf Rossini – Beef filet topped with foie gras and black truffle sauce.
- Saint-Pierre Meunière – John Dory fish with butter and lemon sauce.
- Pigeon au Sang – Rare-cooked pigeon served with red wine or blood sauce for deep flavor.
- Agneau de Lait – Milk-fed lamb, slow-roasted to perfection.
- Canard aux Cerises – Roast duck with a cherry reduction sauce, a blend of sweet and savory.
Desserts
- Grand Marnier Soufflé – A light and airy baked dessert infused with orange liqueur.
- Opera Cake – A layered almond sponge cake with chocolate and coffee flavors.
- Tarte au Citron – A refined lemon tart with a balance of sweetness and acidity.
🍷 Drinks to Try in Paris
No Parisian meal is complete without the perfect drink to pair it with. If you’re wondering what to eat in Paris—and what to sip alongside it—these are the classics to know:
- Vin Rouge / Vin Blanc – Sample French wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, or the Loire Valley.
- Champagne – Try a glass of real Champagne—after all, you’re in France!
- Kir Royal – A sparkling wine cocktail with blackcurrant liqueur.
- Pastis – A traditional anise-flavored aperitif from the south of France.
- Chocolat Chaud – Parisian hot chocolate—rich, thick, and incredibly indulgent.
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