Things to eat in Paris
From simple to more complex dishes, try as much as you can while in Paris.
Here is a selection of 10 things to eat in Paris we recommend you try while visiting Paris. You can download this article in pdf using the button at the bottom of the page.
French Breakfast
Try a French breakfast in a café or at your hotel, with croissant, pain au chocolat (+/- croissant with chocolate), all other viennoiserie (pastries) and baguette with butter or jam.
Quiche Lorraine or Croque Monsieur—quick lunch
Two good options for a quick and affordable lunch. Quiche Lorraine is made with egg, cream, cheese and ham, while Croque Monsieur is the French version of grilled sandwich.
Bœuf Bourguignon—traditional food
A favourite consistent dish, especially in winter months: a slow-cooked beef stew with 1 litre of burgundy wine. Usually served with potatoes, mushrooms and carrots.
Oysters platter—original food
You can easily get this in most of restaurant close to Montarnasse train station, where most of the seafood arrived by train from the Atlantic coast. The oysters are eaten raw, and you can test their freshness by adding some lemon juice : the sourness will make them contract. Try it even if you are scared, you will find them refresing.
French cheese platter—traditional food
Try once a plateau de fromage (selection of cheese) instead of dessert in a restaurant. This is one of the best things to eat in Paris. You will usually get a roquefort, a cantal or comté (milk cheese), camembert and a goat’s cheese.
Confit de canard—Regional food
Very popular dish in Paris, a tender duck confit, usually served with French fries, purée or potatoes. This dish from the South West must be ordered with a glass of Bordeaux.
Coq au vin—Traditional food
A chicken cooked in wine, served. Another cold winter dish, but it is excellent. Order some Bordeaux wine with is makes it perfect.
Popular steak frites—popular food
You will find it everywhere, it’s very popular and often the most affordable. Rumsteak with French fries is a traditional brasseries’ dish. Add French mustard and enjoy.
Escargots (Snails)—Original food
No, no and no. French people do not eat snails that often. Though snails are popular in most touristic restaurants. The butter and garlic sauce is what makes it succulent.
Onion soup—Traditional food
Rich beef based soup full of onions cooked until they are soft and sweet. I will come with bread, cheese but usually considered as a starter.
