From sweet pastries to savory dishes, here’s a list of must-try foods when visiting Paris.
Escargots
These small, juicy snails provide a tender, earthy flavor. The meat is stuffed into the shell with garlic and butter, creating an irresistible aroma. They are then baked until soft and simmered in a delicious sauce. Seasoned with spices, these delectable bites are presented in their shells as an appetizer (with tongs and a fork for the guest).
Beef Bourguignon
Nothing compares to the rich, nourishing red wine sauce accompanying the tender, slow-cooked beef.
Thick, succulent slices of beef are simmered in a light broth with Burgundy red wine, herbs, carrots, smoked bacon, onions, and garlic, bringing out a strong, hearty flavor that will make your taste buds dance. This dish should be made with the tender Charolais beef from the Burgundy region to be perfectly authentic.
Croissant
Perhaps the “king” of classic café foods in Paris.
The buttery, flaky pastry is named after its characteristic crescent shape. Crispy and golden on the outside, yet soft and fluffy on the inside, the filling can vary from sweet to savory, ranging from butter and jam, melted cheese and cold cuts, to pure butter (emphasizing the pure butter flavor and the flakiness of the pastry). Additionally, croissants come in a moreenticing version with pain au chocolat (buttery rolls with melted dark chocolate filling).
Croque Monsieur Sandwich
A nourishing and satisfying dish that soothes the soul and tastes better than ever.
If you’re unfamiliar with croque monsieur, imagine slices of delicious cold cuts, smothered in melted Gruyère cheese oozing out from two crispy slices of toasted bread. After dipping it in egg and frying it in butter, this delicious sandwich is then covered in creamy béchamel sauce. Add a fried egg on top, and you’ll have a “croque madame,” while the vegetarian version is called “mademoiselle.” No matter which variation you choose, this dish is a nourishing and satisfying treat.
Steak Tartare
A unique and delicious dish made with completely raw beef.
This steak tartare is a combination of the finest beef with onions and capers – although the standard ingredients may vary. After being finely chopped, the meat is arranged neatly on a plate and typically topped with a raw egg yolk (the fat in the egg balances the lean beef). This dish is often served with french fries or salad, with a sauce and seasoning, such as Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Finally, some watercress or olive oil is added as a garnish before the dish is mixed together (including the egg yolk) and savored.
Quiche
A savory, thick and delicious tart
A mixture of salty egg and milk is poured into a crust, which is crispy and golden brown after being baked. The filling usually consists of common ingredients such as bacon, cheese, onions, spinach, or tomatoes – in fact, it can be combined in many different ways. The result is a soft, light, and rich pie, which can be cut into delicious slices and eaten hot or cold.
Ratatouille
A stew of vegetables full of flavor and color
Healthy and nutritious, the classic stew from the Provence region consists of vegetables cut into thick slices, such as zucchini, eggplant, tomato, red bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Each ingredient must be sautéed separately before being layered in a large pan with thyme and balsamic sauce. Ratatouille is usually served as a side dish, but can be combined with pasta, rice, or bread to create a delicious vegetarian main course.
Eclair
A delicious pastry filled with cream, a masterpiece to devour in an instant
Made from choux pastry, the pastry has a light, puffy crust and a long, slender shape, topped with a soft chocolate glaze and filled with sweet cream or custard. Typically eaten for “le goȗter” – the traditional French snack time around 4 pm each day – the name of this tempting dessert means “lightning bolt” because it disappears in a flash.