No city captures the imagination quite like Paris. It truly has something for everybody: history, art, culture, architecture. But few Parisian highlights can match the experience of the city’s food scene. Whether you prefer traditional street food or boundary-pushing haute cuisine, Paris has something to offer your palate.
In this guide, we’ll cover the essential foods you need to experience on your next visit. After just one bite, you’ll understand why dining out is truly one of the unique things to do in Paris.
Table of Contents
Steak Frites: Simply Delicious
A staple of Parisian brasseries, steak frites is one of the most popular things to eat in France. The dish is a grilled steak, typically entrecote cooked rare, with a plate of fries. Diners usually get a small serving of sauce on the side, typically maître d’hôtel butter (butter with parsley), bearnaise, or au poivre (black pepper and brandy).
Steak frites is an exceedingly simple dish but is one of the best things to eat in Paris.
Snails: A Truly Unique Thing to Do in Paris
Snails, known as escargots in French, might sound off-putting to a foreigner. However, you can’t visit Paris without trying this quintessentially French food. The most popular form of escargot is the recipe from Burgundy: snails stuffed with garlic, herbs, and butter. However, escargots are so popular today that you can find them cooked in a variety of ways and with different ingredients.
Croissants: Buttery, Flaky Goodness
It’s hard to top starting your day sitting in a French cafe, enjoying a cup of coffee and a buttery, yet light, croissant. Few foods are more quintessentially Parisian than the croissant. Plus, bakeries are on virtually every street corner and croissants are easy to consume while walking. So you’ll be able to pick one up early and beat the crowds at any of the city’s popular attractions.
Steak Tartare: For Daring Eaters
Yes, steak tartare is raw beef, minced and mixed with capers, parsley, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Some versions include a raw egg yolk. But don’t be turned off by the description. Steak tartare is a delicious and unique culinary experience.
It’s a nearly universal Parisian menu item, so you should have plenty of opportunities to enjoy this specialty.
Onion Soup: A Hearty Classic
French onion soup combines hearty beef stock with savory and slightly sweet caramelized onions and tops it with a giant crouton and melted gruyere. What’s not to love? Leave it to the French to create a classic comfort food out of just an onion.
Cheese: Endless Choices and Possibilities
Enjoying cheese is one of the great unique things to do in Paris. France produces more than 300 types of cheese, with 45 of those legally defined and protected by the government (a system known as AOP). The French love it so much they have an entire dinner course dedicated to cheese.
Simply buy a selection from a fromagerie, pick up a baguette from a baker, and enjoy in one of Paris’ many famous parks.
Macaron: Colorful Bites of Perfection
Macarons are light, airy almond flour cookies with a cream filling. Popular in Paris since the 1930s, traditional filings include chocolate or chocolate hazelnut, vanilla, pistachio, and fruit jams. But don’t limit yourself. Macarons are also made with innovative flavors such as lemon cake, rose petal, or lime basil.
Exploring the food scene in Paris is an unforgettable experience. Visitors can indulge in a variety of dishes, ingredients, and culinary styles. We can almost guarantee any Parisian vacation that focuses on food such as the ones above will be a success!