Bonjour foodie friends! Planning a trip to the French capital and wondering what to eat in Paris? From flaky croissants to rich duck confit, the city is a paradise for anyone who loves good food (and doesn’t mind a bit of butter).
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Paris isn’t just about pretty pastries and touristy brasseries. It’s about long lunches, neighbourhood markets, and wine-fuelled dinners that stretch late into the night. And if you want to eat like a local, it helps to know what’s worth your appetite.
I’m Hazel, a former-chef-turned-traveller with a soft spot for cities that love food as much as I do. From late-night cheese boards to street-side crêpes, here’s my guide to what to eat in Paris.
1. Croissants & Pastries for Breakfast 🥐
Start your day with a buttery croissant and a café crème, and you’re basically Parisian. Add a pain au chocolat or chausson aux pommes if you’re feeling fancy (you are).
Top tip: Skip hotel buffets and head to a proper boulangerie instead. Try Du Pain et des Idées or Boulangerie Utopie – two of my faves.
2. French Onion Soup 🧅
Sweet caramelised onions, crusty bread, melty cheese, and a beefy broth that’ll warm your soul.
📍 Where to go: Le Comptoir du Relais or Au Pied de Cochon (open late!).
3. Steak Frites 🥩🍟
Perfectly seared steak + crispy fries = French bistro magic.
Order it à point (medium rare) and prepare to swoon.
📍 Where to go: Le Relais de l’Entrecôte – no menu, just steak, frites, and secret sauce.
4. Crêpes on the Go 🍓
Sweet or savoury, folded or rolled, crêpes are a must in Paris.
You’ll find street stalls near the Eiffel Tower, Montparnasse, and Parisian neighbourhoods like the Latin Quarter serving up hot, buttery goodness all day long.
Try a classic Nutella crêpe, or go savoury with a galette complète – a buckwheat crepe stuffed with ham, cheese, and egg. Cheap, cheerful, and très délicieux.
5. Croque Monsieur (or Madame) 🧀🍞
Basically a French grilled cheese with extras – the croque monsieur is a toasted ham and cheese sandwich, smothered in béchamel and grilled until bubbling.
Add a fried egg on top and you’ve got a croque madame.
It’s comfort food, Parisian-style. Best eaten with a fork and knife, and maybe a glass of white wine.
📍 Where to go: Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, or any classic Parisian café worth its salt.
6. The French Baguette & Perfect Paris Picnic 🥖🍷
No food in Paris list is complete without the iconic baguette – crusty, chewy, and freshly baked daily.
Pair it with brie, comté, a slice of country pâté, and a bottle of Bordeaux, and you’ve got yourself a Parisian picnic to remember.
📍 Where to shop: Fromagerie Quatrehomme, Poilâne bakery, or Rue Cler market for all your alfresco goodies.
7. Cheese, Glorious Cheese 🧀
France has over 1,000 cheeses, and Paris is a delicious place to sample them. Soft, hard, creamy, stinky – there’s a cheese for every mood.
A proper cheese plate can be a whole meal. Think brie, camembert, roquefort, chèvre, and the ever-delightful comté.
📍 Where to go: Fromagerie Laurent Dubois, or Androuet for cheese tastings.
8. Duck Confit or Cassoulet 🍖
Rich, hearty, and made for lingering dinners, duck confit and cassoulet are French comfort food at its finest.
The duck is slow-cooked until melt-in-your-mouth tender, and cassoulet adds beans, sausage, and smoky depth.
📍 Where to go: Chez Dumonet (it’s worth the hype, and the queue).
9. Escargots & Foie Gras (If You’re Feeling Fancy) 🐌
Snails might sound odd, but in a pool of garlicky parsley butter, they’re a revelation.
Foie gras, the rich duck liver pâté, is a French delicacy usually served with toast and sweet chutney.
📍 Where to go for both: L’Escargot Montorgueil – traditional, iconic, and theatrical in the best way.
10. Macarons, Éclairs & Dessert Heaven 🍰
Don’t leave Paris without a macaron (or six). But also make room for éclairs, mille-feuille, tarte au citron, and glossy fruit tarts that look like art.
📍 Where to go: Pierre Hermé (for wild flavours), Ladurée (for classic chic), or Stohrer (the oldest pâtisserie in Paris, and still one of the best).
11. What to Sip: French Wine in Paris 🍷
You don’t need to know the difference between left bank and right bank Bordeaux – just taste and enjoy.
Paris is full of cosy wine bars, elegant bistros, and knowledgeable sommeliers who’ll steer you right.
Top wine to sip:
- Bordeaux – full-bodied reds.
- Burgundy – elegant Pinot Noir & Chardonnay.
- Sancerre – crisp and minerally whites (my fave).
- Beaujolais – light, fruity reds.
- Champagne – obviously 🥂
📍 Where to go: Septime La Cave, Le Verre Volé, or join a tasting at Ô Chateau or Les Caves du Louvre.
12. Apéro Hour: Drinks & Nibbles Before Dinner 🍷🫒
Before dinner, Parisians unwind with l’apéro, a relaxed pre-dinner ritual of drinks and snacks. Think olives, nuts, saucisson, maybe a wedge of cheese or tapenade on toast. It’s not a full meal, but it can turn into one.
Typical drinks include red wine, kir royale, vermouth, or a spritz. If you see locals clustered outside a wine bar with a glass in hand – that’s apéro magic in action.
📍 Top spots: Le Baron Rouge, Frenchie Bar à Vins, or any buzzing corner café in Le Marais or Canal Saint-Martin.
13. Café Culture & Coffee Like a Local ☕
Coffee in Paris is more about pace than size. Forget venti flat whites; here, it’s all about a tiny espresso at the bar or a café crème slowly savoured on a terrasse.
Parisians often drink coffee several times a day: standing in the morning, lingering in the afternoon. A noisette (an espresso with a splash of milk) is a solid go-to. And while takeaway is growing, the real joy is sitting still and soaking it in.
Where to go: Any café with rattan chairs and good people-watching near Saint-Germain, Canal Saint-Martin, or Rue Montorgueil.
Bonus: Take a Food Tour or Cooking Class 🍳
Want to dive deeper? A guided food experience is the tastiest way to explore.
🧀 Montmartre Food & Wine Tour – market visits, tastings, stories.
🍷 French Market Tour + Cooking Class – shop, cook, eat.
🥐 Macaron Workshop at Galleries Lafayette – bring home sweet new skills.
👉 Check Get Your Guide or Viator for small group tours and classes.
Final Thoughts on Food in Paris ✨
Paris isn’t just a city, it’s a five-course feeling. You don’t need reservations at Michelin stars to eat well here – just curiosity, a bit of French cheese, and time to linger.
So whether you’re grabbing a crêpe from a street cart or sipping wine under fairy lights, remember: the best food in Paris isn’t just on the plate – it’s in the moment.
FAQs About Food in Paris ❓
Planning to eat your way through Paris? Here are a few quick answers to help you avoid rookie mistakes and make the most of every bite.
A: Lunch is usually 12:30-2pm, and dinner starts around 7:30-9pm. Many restaurants close between services, so plan ahead.
A: Service is included in the bill (service compris), so tipping isn’t mandatory. But rounding up or leaving €1-€2 for good service is always appreciated.
A: Coffee, a croissant or baguette with butter/jam, maybe a juice – it’s usually simple and carb-fuelled. Most locals eat on the go or standing at the counter (au comptoir).
A: It’s certainly much easier than it used to be! Look for bistronomie spots or dedicated veggie restaurants. Dishes like ratatouille, cheese galettes, and veggie tartines are easy wins.
A: Bakeries, crêperies, and local markets are your best friend. Also look for fixed-price formule menus at lunchtime, they are great value!
A: Macarons, cheese (in vacuum packs), wine, mustards, salted caramels, and pastries that travel well (like kouign-amann or cannelés). Just watch those liquid rules if flying hand luggage!
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