What To Eat In Paris: 11 Mouth-Watering Foods You Can’t Miss
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What to eat in Paris? When you think of Paris, what comes to mind? The Eiffel Tower? The Notre Dame? Instagrammable streets? Same here! But for me, Paris is mostly about awesome food and great wines!
From pain au chocolat to charcuterie boards to a lovely Bordeaux or Pinot Noir, the culinary delights are endless, as are the many wine bars and food options!
I may have gained a few pounds from indulging too much on my Paris trip, but it was worth it! Let me share my top 11 foods on what to eat in Paris. And believe me, it’s not just about croissants! Even though those croissants are the best thing you’ve ever tasted!
There’s so much to try in Paris, and don’t forget: every meal needs an accompanying glass of champagne or French wine! Even a little champagne for breakfast is an indulgence you should allow yourself to have!
What to know about French Cuisine
French cuisine is renowned worldwide—and for good reason. Aspiring chefs from all over go to France to master the art of cooking.
I’ve noticed that French cuisine has influenced much of the food culture in the Netherlands too. There’s an undeniable elegance and refinement unique to French cooking that sets it apart.
Take fine dining, for instance—it often feels synonymous with French cuisine. While it can be calorie-rich, French food is rooted in fresh, simple, and authentic ingredients.
In this post, I’m sharing my favourite dishes from the French kitchen. Some might be a little under the radar for most people (one of the perks of dating a French guy!).
What is the top 3 most popular food in France?
France is a paradise for food lovers, especially if you’re a cheese lover like me—it’s truly cheese heaven! Add to that their exquisite pastries and bread (nothing beats a perfectly flaky croissant or a freshly baked baguette) and delicious crêpes, both sweet and savoury.
When you’re in France, these culinary delights are an absolute must-try! And of course, don’t forget to pair it all with a beautiful glass of French wine or champagne to complete the experience.
The top 11 foods to eat in Paris
1. Pain aux chocolate
I have deeply loved pain au chocolat since I was a child. I still remember the first time I had it, and it was the best thing I’d ever eaten at that point in my life.
And even today, I can eat it every day, and I’m not even a serious chocolate lover. There’s something magical about the combination of creamy, rich chocolate inside a fluffy and buttery pastry. It’s one of those simple pleasures that never gets old.
Get your pain aux chocolate from your nearest bakery. Any bakery will do. It’s the perfect breakfast to start your day with. That and a cup of coffee, of course! And let me make it clear that I’m talking about real coffee! Not that watered-down Americano stuff people outside of Europe seem to like! Yikes!
2. Quiche Lorraine
Quiche is easy to make and find and comes in various flavours. But the classic “Quiche Lorraine” is a must-try in Paris. Made with the simplicity of just eggs, bacon, and cheese, it might sound basic. But as we all know, less is more.
The salty bacon combined with the rich eggs and cheese creates a heavenly match. Pair it with a green salad and a glass of white wine; you’ve got the perfect lunch. The difference with the quiches in Paris is that the French do not overdo it on the ingredients.
The delicacy is in the rich flavour of the right, fresh, perfect combination of ingredients. Doesn’t that sound delicious?
3. Macarons
This list wouldn’t be complete without macarons. Instagram is full of photos of these beautifully coloured treats, which are oh-so French. I must admit it took me a long time to try my first macaron. I always assumed they would be super sweet and hard on the outside.
Boy, was I wrong! They’re a little crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a buttery cream in between. The best macarons and most expensive macarons are from Ladurée.
You’ll find shops all over Paris and even at the airport. These macarons come in beautiful packaging and are great to bring home to your loved one! My favourite macaron flavours are rose and caramel.
4. Croissant au beurre
Ok. I had to include the classic French croissant in this list of what to eat in Paris. While you can grab a croissant at your local 7-Eleven or any supermarket, there’s a world of difference in taste.
The croissant you desperately need in your life is a ‘croissant au beurre’ from an authentic boulangerie or patisserie. A real croissant should be fresh, layered, slightly crunchy on the outside, and soft on the inside with a rich, buttery taste.
According to my source in Paris, the best croissants are made with ‘beurre de Normandie’, which indeed means ‘butter from Normandy’.
5. Café Gourmand
I’ve often seen Café Gourmand on dessert menus in Paris, but I never really knew what it was. I always wrongly assumed it was just coffee or tea with some chocolates. Nope!
Café Gourmand is a selection of small desserts served with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It’s perfect if you can’t decide and want to try a bit of everything. See it like a grand petit dessert! Now who would say no to that?
6. Tarte Tartin
One of the many delights I tried for the first time a few months ago in Paris is tarte tatin. It’s essentially an upside-down apple pie with caramel but with a French twist. Order a tarte tatin with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream paired with a nice cup of coffee or tea. It’s a must-try in Paris!
7. Galette Bretonne
Galettes are made with ‘farine de sarrasin’ (buckwheat flour), while regular crepes use white flour. Crepes are typically sweet, and galettes are savoury. Galettes have a slightly darker colour and are filled with savoury toppings.
My favourite galette is one with bacon, cheese, and arugula, but the options are endless, so go nuts! Galettes are great any time of day; as a bonus, buckwheat flour is gluten-free.
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8. French cheeses
Just like croissants, indulging in as many cheeses as possible is a must in Paris. Every cheese lover will find themselves in cheese heaven. Many shops specialize solely in cheeses, and they can always advise you on what to try.
Try some blue cheese! My favourites are Roquefort and Bleu d’Auvergne. If these are a little too strong, try Rochebaron. They are amazing!
There are plenty of awesome bistros in Paris where you can order a cheese charcuterie board to still your end-of-the-day savoury cravings after a long day of walking around Paris.
9. Crepes Suzette
If you’re a pancake lover, you can’t leave without trying crepe Suzette. The crepe recipe Suzette was created by accident when the liquor in the sauce accidentally caught fire.
The result was a thin pancake in a delicious sauce made of orange juice, orange zest, Grand Marnier, melted butter and sugar.
Ordering a crepe at Suzette might get you a live cooking show, where they set your crepe on fire at the table, depending on the restaurant!
10. Galette des Rois
This delicious pastry is mostly enjoyed in January. It is made with frangipane, sugar, butter, eggs, and flour. The real fun comes with the story behind eating ‘Galette des Rois.’ Inside the galette, there’s a tiny hidden present, usually a small toy.
Whoever finds this hidden surprise in their slice is crowned King or Queen and gets to choose their Queen or King. So, if you buy a galette in France, be careful when you take a bite—you don’t want to lose a tooth!
11. Pain Perdu
Pain perdu means lost bread. If you have three-day-old bread lying around the house that you’re about to throw away, stop it right there! This French toast calls for stale bread baked into a crunchy, soft, moist, and sweet dessert by soaking it in a mixture of milk, eggs, and sugar.
I haven’t seen pain perdu actually on a menu in Paris, since it’s a typical recipe to make at home! So the only way to eat a real “pain perdu” is to find yourself a French boyfriend while in Paris 😜
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Paris is truly the place to be when you’re a food and wine lover like myself! And walking the streets of Paris will make you hungry for sure!
I’m sure this guide on what to eat in Paris will help you eat your way through Paris! As always, I’m here for questions and anything else you’ve got on your mind!
Leave me a comment on my last Instagram post if you have any questions! I’ll reply the fastest over there!
There’s for sure so much to eat in Paris, but I feel you’ll do well with these basics for beginners.
