Butter. The French are famous for it. We love it.
One of the best cuisines in the world is French cuisine, and for a good reason.
I’m not going to lie – I plan my travels based on food. I created a “things to eat in Paris” list before I even booked my flight (and I may or may not have chosen the hotel location based on the proximity to that list).
Life’s too short for a bad meal. Since there are so many things to eat in Paris and so little time (and unfortunately, even Paris has bad food), I’ve narrowed it down for you guys to my top 21.
Seriously don’t leave Paris without trying at least a few of these exceptional French specialties!
Here are my top 21 things to eat in Paris and more importantly, where to find them:
< Things to Eat in Paris: Savoury >
1. Cheese | Fromagerie Jouannault
I visited Fromagerie Jouannault as part of a Paris food tour I took with Paris by Mouth. If you’re into cheese (if you aren’t, what are you?), it’s certainly worth a stop. Try a few different cheese varieties, pick your favourite, and then pass by Tout Autour Du Pain for baguette. Because nothing goes with cheese quite like a baguette de tradition.
Address: 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, France
2. Escargots | L’Escargot Montorgueil
This traditional French restaurant serves some of the best snail dishes in Paris. Here, you’ll find these delicacies cooked in garlic and butter (the classic), truffle butter, and even in a puff pastry.
Address: 38 Rue Montorgueil, 75001 Paris, France
3. Duck Confit | Maison Ramella
Another of our Paris food tour stops, Maison Ramella is a Charcutier traiteur offering all kinds of delicatessen foods including my favourite, the duck confit. It’s best spread over slices of baguette.
Address: 40 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, France
4. Steak Frites | Le Relais de l’Entrecote
You can’t visit Paris without having the classic French dish, Steak Frites. And what better place to have it than at Le Relais de l’Entrecote? Loved by locals and travelers, Le Relais de l’Entrecote is famous for their steak frites – that’s the only main dish they serve, and they serve it well. Top with more of that delicious mystery sauce if you’re feeling adventurous. In addition, you get seconds!
Address: Multiple locations around Paris
5. Truffle Pasta | Ober Mamma
The “Famous Truffle Pasta” has definitely lived up to its name. Truffle fans will revel in this indulgent pasta dish made with fresh truffle, mascarpone, black truffle cream, and mushrooms at the beautiful Italian restaurant, Ober Mamma.
Address: 107 Boulevard Richard Lenoir, 75011 Paris, France
6. Reuben Sandwich | Frenchie to Go
A few doors down from Parisian-favourite Frenchie bistro, this Anglo-theme delicatessen is great for a quick meal. Layered with tender beef brisket, sharp cheddar cheese, tangy red coleslaw, and hot mustard, the Reuben sandwich at Frenchie to Go is a must!
Fun Fact: Today Food asked Ina Garten what she’d pick as her last meal and Ina Garten surprised everybody by picking a hot dog from this particular restaurant! Did she try their Reuben though? 😉
Address: 9 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris, France
Check out what we tried at Frenchie to Go.
7. Sandwiches | Pret A Manger
Pret A Manger is a godsend, seriously. If it weren’t for Pret A Manger in Paris, my on-the-go meals would have been a lot heavier. Their sandwiches are so satisfying – I would try a different one every time I visit. Try the Grilled Cheese with pesto or the Salted Beef with hot mustard. FYI they also make a decadent hot chocolate.
Address: Multiple locations around Paris
8. Croque Monsieur | Vins Des Pyrénées
I’m so glad to have found this hidden gem in Le Marais. Vins des Pyrénées upgrades this classic French comfort food by adding truffle. The Croque Monsieur here is rich, cheesy, creamy, buttery, and oh-so-delicious!
Address: 25 Rue Beautreillis, 75004 Paris, France
< Things to Eat in Paris: Sweet >
9. Croissant | Tout Autour Du Pain or Paul
Other than the fact that croissants didn’t actually come from France (I was surprised too), they’re a huge part of the French breakfast culture. Try the award-winning flaky crisp croissant at Tout Autour Du Pain or the renowned chain boulangerie, Paul.
Address (Tout Autour Du Pain): 134 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France
Address (Paul): Multiple locations around Paris
10. Black Sesame Roll | Boulangerie Utopie
Close proximity to Boulangerie Utopie is the reason for our hotel choice. On my “things to eat in Paris” list for months, this Black Sesame Roll did not disappoint. It’s delicious and I love the ultra-soft texture! Note that Boulangerie Utopie uses vegetable charcoal, which has a neutral flavour, so you won’t taste it. Now that I think about it, I wish I tried their black sesame éclair!
Address: 20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris, France
11. Chocolate Pistachio Escargot | Du Pain et des Idées
The flaky buttery signature escargot roll filled with pistachio and chocolate chips is a REALLY good idea at Du Pain et des Idées. I fell in love at first bite.
Address: 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris, France
12. Chouquettes | Tout Autour Du Pain
Make Tout Autour Du Pain a stop for croissants, baguettes, and now, chouquettes. These little pear-sugar-coated Choux pastry puffs are light and addictive. I challenge you to stop at just one chouquette!
Address: 134 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France
13. Crêpes | Breizh Café
Nothing screams French than a good ol’ crêpe, especially when said in a French accent. I’m all for having a quick crêpe on the street, however, the Breton crêpes at Breizh Café are a must-try. Get yours filled with ham, cheese, and mushrooms topped with a fried egg. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try their classic chocolate and banana crêpe. Whatever you choose, you’re in for a treat!
Address: 109 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris, France
14. Ice Cream | GROM
Forget the overhyped (and overpriced) Berthillon ice cream and check out GROM in the trendy Le Marais neighbourhood. The ice cream here is out-of-this-world good – one of my favourite things to eat in Paris! Top with their homemade whipped cream for a refreshing summer treat.
Address: 16 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris, France
15. Macarons | Pierre Hermé
The godfather of macarons, Pierre Hermé, makes delicate meringue cloud-like sandwich cookies with all kinds of delicious creamy fillings in between. What’s not to love?
Address: 18 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris, France
16. Tarte Tatin | La Closerie des Lilas
I didn’t get a chance to try this mythical upside-down-apple-tart by William Lamagnère, but I think you should. It looks exquisite. Find it at La Closerie des Lilas.
Address: 171 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris, France
17. Saint Tropez | La Tarte Tropézienne
Brigitte Bardot’s favourite pastry landed in Paris from Saint-Tropez. Tarte tropézienne, aka “La Tarte de Saint-Tropez”, is a sweet cream-filled pearl-sugar-coated brioche. No one has ever replicated this recipe and succeeded. Try it yourself at La Tarte Tropézienne in Saint-Germain, Paris.
Address: 3 Rue de Montfaucon, 75006 Paris, France
18. Eclairs | L’Eclair de Génie
L’Eclair de Génie keeps on surprising us with their éclair novelties, including seasonal and limited edition varieties. One thing’s for sure: you’ll never be bored.
Address: 13 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, 75006 Paris, France & multiple locations around central Paris
19. Paris-Brest | La Patisserie Des Rêves
Frequently nominated as the best Paris-Brest in Paris, the Paris-Brest at La Patisserie des Rêves is a masterpiece.
Address: 93 Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris, France (& Other Locations)
20. Chocolate | Jacques Genin
Jacques Genin’s boutique in Le Marais resembles a museum, a sweet indulgent museum. Take home a box of melt-in-your-mouth fine quality chocolate and perhaps some buttery caramels.
See my full review of Jacques Genin.
Address: 133 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France
21. Hot Chocolate | Angelina Paris
Unlike anything you’ve ever had at home, that cup of thick, rich and creamy Chocolat Chaud at Angelina Paris is worth queuing for. Top with a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate indulgence. Another bookmarked hot chocolate in Paris is Carette, but I haven’t had the chance to visit yet.
Address: 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
Which of these things to eat in Paris would you most likely try?
Been to Paris? Did I miss any of your favourite things to eat in Paris? Give me your recommendations in the comments 🙂
Don’t forget to check out my post on Things to do in Paris (that don’t involve the Louvre) for some fun and memorable activities in the city of lights.
LIKED THIS ARTICLE? CHECK OUT MORE FOOD & TRAVEL ARTICLES IN PARIS!
Unless otherwise noted, all posted content and photographs are owned exclusively by me. None of the content / photographs may be reproduced, modified, recirculated, commercially exploited or reused in any form whatsoever without my prior written consent.
Non-watermarked photos in Top Things To Eat In Paris were sourced from restaurant management unless credited otherwise.
For further information regarding permission to use content or photographs, please contact me.