If there’s one thing Paris knows how to do better than anyone else, it’s food. From buttery croissants to rich duck confit, every meal in the City of Light feels like a celebration. I just got back from a week in Paris, and honestly, I think I spent more time eating than sightseeing—and I have no regrets.
So, if you’re planning a trip and wondering what to eat in Paris, here’s a little guide based on my own experience of eating my way through this beautiful city.
Start Your Day the Parisian Way: Breakfast & Pastries
Mornings in Paris are slow, simple, and full of flavor. My favorite routine? Walking down to the nearest boulangerie and ordering a croissant au beurre (the buttery kind, always!). I stayed in the Marais district, and there’s a little bakery called Au Petit Versailles du Marais—their pain au chocolat is unreal. Still warm from the oven, with that perfect balance of crispy and flaky. I sat on a bench, sipped on a café crème, and just watched the city come to life.
Must-Try Pastries:
- Croissant au beurre
- Pain au chocolat
- Tarte aux fraises (strawberry tart)
- Éclair au chocolat
10 most popular foods in Paris
A list of famous French foods in Paris is provided below.
Crêpe
You can’t walk through Paris without spotting a crêpe stand. I grabbed mine from a tiny kiosk near the Eiffel Tower—simple, warm, and perfect. My favorite? Nutella with banana, though the savory ones with cheese and ham are a solid lunch option too.
It’s impossible to avoid catching the French mania for the wafer-thin pancakes known as crêpes when in Paris. Crêpes are available at street carts, kiosks, and eateries, ranging from casual to elegant. As we go through some of the busiest retail areas, we frequently detect the alluring perfume in the air. Famous sweet crepes include fruit, ice cream, and even Nutella inside. Veggie, ham, cheese, and other fillings are added to savory crepes to create a tasty but healthy meal. It is the best French food in Paris.
Where I loved it: Crêperie Brocéliande in Montmartre—authentic Breton-style crêpes!
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Israeli Food
Okay, not exactly “French,” but trust me—Israeli food is having a moment in Paris, especially in the Le Marais neighborhood. I stumbled into Miznon after a friend recommended it, and their lamb pita blew my mind. Fluffy bread, juicy meat, and bold flavors. So good.
Try: Falafel, roasted cauliflower, lamb pita.
French Cheese
I could write an entire blog just on cheese. France takes its cheese seriously, and in Paris, it’s everywhere—from cheese shops to restaurant boards. I grabbed a mix of brie, camembert, and goat cheese with a baguette and some wine and had a mini picnic at Jardin du Luxembourg.
In 1962, French President Charles de Gaulle questioned how anyone could rule a nation with 246 varieties of cheese. Fortunately, the only thing we have to control is our desire for fantastic French cheese. Currently, France offers 1,200 different types of cheese. One of our favorite things in Paris is going to a store and purchasing cheese to sample.
Cheese shops to check out: Fromagerie Laurent Dubois or Androuet.
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Croissants
The humble croissant is an art form here. I tried one nearly every day (for research purposes, of course). The best ones have that crispy golden shell and buttery layers inside. Honestly, they ruined croissants for me anywhere else in the world.
Croissant is a must-try French food in Paris. You cannot help but be mesmerized by the aroma of fresh croissants wafting from air vents in the early morning. This is your signal to enter and get your golden prize. Enjoy it while out for a morning stroll while the city wakes up. Asking to make sure your Boulanger still practices that noble, delectable craft is important. Sadly, fewer and fewer French bakeries make their croissants from scratch and instead buy them frozen.
My go-to spot: Du Pain et des Idées—unreal texture!
Cassoulet
If you’re in Paris during cooler months, do not miss out on cassoulet. It’s a slow-cooked stew of white beans, sausage, and duck that’s incredibly rich and comforting. It’s the kind of dish that makes you want to nap after—but in the best way.
Cassoulet might be the national comfort meal of France. Various ingredients, including beans, sausage, duck, pig, vegetables, and herbs, are used in this hearty stew. Its origins are in Southwest France. It was a typical dish made from whatever was available to feed the peasants as a filling lunch.
Where I tried it: Auberge Pyrénées Cévennes—very local, very hearty.
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Croque Monsieur
This one became my favorite quick lunch. A Croque Monsieur is basically a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with béchamel sauce—crunchy, cheesy, melty goodness. Add a fried egg on top and it becomes a Croque Madame. Either way, you win.
The croque-monsieur is an oozy and crisp grilled ham and cheese sandwich typically moistened by a touch of béchamel sauce. It is a mainstay of the menus of most brasseries and cafés in Paris that provide nonstop service. Get the croque-madame, with a fried egg added on top, if you’re starving.
Top spot: Café de Flore—a little touristy, but worth it.
Baguette
You’ll see Parisians walking around with fresh baguettes tucked under their arms like it’s no big deal. It is a big deal. A good baguette is crispy on the outside, soft inside, and it goes with just about everything.
It’s challenging to fathom visiting Paris and needing a baguette (or many baguettes). This iconic French bread can be seen on Parisians going about their daily lives. We won’t claim to know which baguette is the best. Every year the winner of the Best Baguette competition is chosen. So adventurous eaters can try as many as they’d like while in town.
Tip: Look for bakeries with a “Meilleure Baguette de Paris” sign—they’ve won awards for a reason.
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Escargots
Yes, it’s snails. But trust me, escargots are all about the garlic butter, not the snail. I tried them at a cozy brasserie in the Latin Quarter, and they were surprisingly tender and flavorful. Pair with a glass of wine and some crusty bread? Perfect combo.
Escargots, believe it or not, are among the most adored French food in Paris. They are typically served as appetizers before a multi-course meal. They are now one of the more well-known strange French meals (at least to the rest of the world). The Burgundy escargots are the best variety, even though there are other varieties. Escargots don’t naturally have a flavor; they typically cook in beurre et al. (butter and garlic) and are topped with parsley to give them that flavor. However, they can become rubbery if overcooked.
Where I said yes to snails: L’Escargot Montorgueil—a Paris classic.
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Macaron
Don’t confuse macarons with macaroons (the coconut ones). These delicate almond meringue cookies come in dreamy flavors like pistachio, rose, and salted caramel. I brought a box home—and instantly regretted not buying more.
We can’t imagine going to Paris and not eating macarons. Tastes like Paris in a bite, these little, airy shells holding a variety of delectable fillings. Bold contemporary tastes and time-honored flavors like pistachio, chocolate, raspberry, and lemon now share the stage. The list is greatly expanded by lavender, rose petals, matcha, passion fruit, salted caramel, red velvet, and many other flavors. Visit Ladurée, the grand dame of macaron shops, and keep the lovely box for nostalgic thoughts of Paris.
Famous spots: Pierre Hermé or Ladurée, but also try small bakeries for surprises.
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Jambon-beurre
Simple but legendary: jambon-beurre is just ham, butter, and a fresh baguette. That’s it. And yet, when the ingredients are this good, that’s all you need. I picked one up from a deli and ate it by the Seine. Zero complaints.
Jambon-beurre, one of the delicious French food in Paris, is now the city’s standard sandwich for on-the-go consumption. The Jambon-Beurre is an excellent snack. It’s simple to grab and eat while exploring the city. Most cafés and boulangeries have it on hand at their display counters, making it simple to locate. The ham is “jambon de Paris,” a pink Parisian ham that has been expertly slow-cooked. It is a ham sandwich on a sliced baguette with butter to give you an idea of what it is. The standard version only includes bread, ham, and cheese. Some boulangeries give it their unique spin using pickles and occasionally salad.
Tip: Grab one from Caractère de Cochon—they’re known for the best versions.
After tasting these iconic dishes, don’t miss exploring Paris’s top attractions.
Final Bite of Advice
Paris isn’t just a place to see—it’s a place to taste. Whether you’re into sweet, savory, adventurous, or comforting foods, this city delivers. Take your time, follow your nose, and don’t worry about calories. Walk it off along the Seine later
FAQ’s
Some of the best places to explore in Paris include Moulin Rouge, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Palais Garnier, and Place de la Concorde.
Marché des Enfants Rouges, Marché d’Aligre, Marché Mouffetard, Marché des Enfants Rouges, and Marché Monge are some of the places where you can find street food in Paris.
One of the most traditional French foods you’ll find in Paris is coq au vin, a slow-cooked dish made with chicken, red wine, mushrooms, and herbs. It’s hearty, rich, and full of flavor. Other traditional picks include duck confit, French onion soup, and of course, escargots (yes, the snails!). You’ll find these classics in many bistros and brasseries across the city.
Paris is famous for several iconic foods, but the croissant might top the list. This buttery, flaky pastry is a breakfast staple across the city. Other famous foods include baguettes, macarons, escargots, and croque monsieur. Whether sweet or savory, Paris is packed with legendary bites that live up to the hype.
While France doesn’t have one official “national food,” dishes like pot-au-feu (a slow-cooked beef stew) are often considered a national treasure. In Paris specifically, you’ll commonly see foods like jambon-beurre (ham and butter sandwich on a baguette) as a classic, everyday favorite. It’s simple, affordable, and very Parisian.
Here are five traditional French foods you should absolutely try in Paris:
Coq au Vin – Chicken braised in wine with mushrooms and herbs
Duck Confit – Slow-cooked duck leg with crispy skin
Escargots de Bourgogne – Snails cooked in garlic parsley butter
Boeuf Bourguignon – Beef stew simmered in red wine
Ratatouille – A Provençal vegetable dish that’s both rustic and flavorful
These dishes reflect the heart of French cuisine—rich, slow-cooked, and made with love.
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