Famous Foods in Paris | Sarina Swalm

France has some of the best food in the world. In France, food is more than just fuel to get you through the day. It’s an experience for the senses, a medium for socializing with friends, and a way to relax in the middle of the day.

Whether you’re a serious international food connoisseur or want to live out your Emily in Paris fantasy, use this guide to find the most famous foods in Paris.

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What Is French Cuisine?

French cuisine is the food you find in France that uses traditional French cooking techniques. Food in each region is slightly different, with Paris being at the center of French cuisine. French cuisine is most known for its use of cheese and wine in its cooking.

French Cooking Styles

French cooking combines simple tradition with elegant presentation. They emphasize fresh ingredients and pride themselves on traditional cooking techniques.

Meals can last two to four hours, especially if you have a full dinner with all the courses. This gives you time to socialize with friends and enjoy the hard work your chef put into your meal.

Characteristics of French Cuisine

What makes French cuisine unique is how the country adds a unique flair to simple dishes to turn them into a celebration for the senses instead of just a meal. The presentation is also just as important as the taste.

A typical French meal has five courses:

· Entrée or hors d’oeuvre: A light, first course, often a soup

· Plat Principal: Your main meal

· Salade: A small salad

· Fromage: A cheese course

· Dessert: A sweet course at the end of the meal

Their patisseries or pastries are less sweet than desserts and are often served on their own as a snack. The most famous examples of French pastries are macarons and croissants.

History of French Cuisine

France has a long history of rich cooking culture. Their traditions date back to medieval times when nobles cooked meals based on what was seasonally available. Chefs today still rely heavily on fresh seasonal ingredients for their meals.

What Are the Regional Specialties in Paris?

What should you eat in Paris and where should you try them? Take a look at these top eight foods you should order in the city.

1. French Onion Soup

French onion soup is a prime example of how French cuisine transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Once you taste this culinary delight, you will want it for more than an appetizer.

To make this national treasure, restaurants combine caramelized onions, beef broth, and white wine before crowning it with Gruyere cheese.

Best Restaurants for Onion Soup: Two restaurants serve France’s famous onion soup. Bistrot des Vosges is by far the most famous location for onion soup. Coming in a close second is Le Cinq.

2. Croque Monsieur

Croque Monsieur is a quick snack food in France that you can grab from most cafes or bars. It’s a baked ham and cheese sandwich covered in delicious, melted Gruyere. However, you can also get the sandwich with Comté or Emmental cheese.

This dish’s famous counterpart, croque madame, is similar to the monsieur, except with a fried egg on top.

Best Restaurants for Croque Monsieur: What better way to view the Eiffel Tower than while eating a fresh croque monsieur or madame at Le Petit Cler. This restaurant is famous for these dainty, delicious snacks.

3. Duck Confit

Duck confit is challenging to prepare, which makes it hard to find. However, when you do, it’s truly a treat for the taste buds. Duck confit is a salt-cured duck cooked until it becomes so tender it melts in your mouth.

Best Restaurant for Duck Confit: La Tour d’Argent is one of the oldest restaurants and a master at traditional, upscale cuisine. While they are most famous for their pressed duck, they also make a delicious duck confit.

4. Escargot

Escargot is a French delicacy you must try before leaving. Parisians used their French cooking magic to turn snails into a delightful, mouthwatering dish, complete with fresh herbs, tangy garlic, and melted butter creating a burst of flavor.

Best Restaurant for Escargot: L’Escargot Montorgueil has the best escargot in the city. In addition, they also serve the best frog legs if you want to try a second adventurous dish.

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5. Croissants

What pastries is Paris known for? Croissants are at the top of nearly every list.

The French have perfected this buttery, flaky pastry that many other cultures try to replicate but very few even come close. Enjoy this French delight during your morning breakfast, midday snack, or a treat while sightseeing.

Best Restaurant for Croissants: The best way to try croissants is fresh from a bakery. La Maison d’Isabelle was awarded for having the best croissant in Paris in 2018. They also serve some of the best baguettes in Paris as a bonus.

6. Macarons

Macarons have captivated global food connoisseurs with their light flavor and sweet varieties. They are small cookie sandwiches filled with a butter-cream center.

Best Restaurants for Macarons:

Several notable places service this international sensation. However, two of the most notable stops for this sweet treat are Ladurée and Pierre Hermé. In addition, these shops have several locations throughout the city, which gives you an excuse to purchase macarons several times during your visit.

7. Cheese

France and cheese go together like peanut butter and jelly, but with more flair. However, what are the best cheeses to try in Paris? Here’s my list of the top cheeses you must sample while visiting the city:

· Camembert

· Brie de Meaux

· Comté

· Roquefort

· Reblochon

· Pont l’Éveque

Best Shop for Cheese:

Fromagerie Laurent Dubois is the best place to shop for cheese in Paris. While it has some of the most expensive cheese in Paris, you will also find the taste is unmatched anywhere else.

8. Chocolate

French gourmet chocolate tantalizes the taste buds with its creamy, sweet flavor that melts away in your mouth. There are dozens of places around France where you can taste their world-famous chocolate. You can also try it in a variety of dishes. However, don’t leave the city before trying chocolate on its own in one of Paris’s many shops.

Where to Buy Chocolate in Paris:

Jacques Genin and À la Mère de Famille are the top two places you must stop if you want to try France’s famous chocolates.

Explore More International Foods

If these foods have your mouth watering, just wait until you see what other international food delights I’ve uncovered for you.

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