What and Where to Eat in Paris (Food Guide)

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Ah, Paris: the city of love! — and by love, I mean wine, cheese, and delicious food. Oh, and butter, lots of butter.

Food is the best way to get to know a city, and if you are not sure what to eat in Paris, you’ve come to the right place.

From croissants and crêpes to frog legs, steak tartare, and the best selection of cheeses and wine, in this article, you will find the best foods to eat in Paris— and the top restaurants to get them!

1. An authentic —and buttery— croissant at Yann Couvreur Pâtisserie

You can’t go to Paris without tasting a buttery and flaky croissant. France is well-known for its pastries and sweet treats, and at Yann Couvreur Pâtisserie, you can taste some mouth-watering desserts that are to die for!

This top-rated pastry shop is located in the Marais district of Paris, a place full of cultural and gastronomic offerings for tourists. In addition to some of the best restaurants, bars, and cafés in Paris, Le Marais hosts a wide range of art galleries and historical buildings that you can’t miss during your visit to The City of Light.

Besides the croissant, don’t forget to try the traditional —and ridiculously tasty— pain au chocolat, another Parisian favorite that you can enjoy as a sweet breakfast or mid-afternoon snack.

The last time I visited I tried their Lemon Tart which is absolutely fantastic with a truly acidic jam. And I also ate my favorite dessert from this shop: Paris Brest with Hazelnuts. I promise you that this small tart is worth the line outside.

2. A delicious French onion soup at Les Philosophes

Les Philosophes is one of the best bistros in the heart of Le Marais, and it’s a must-stop in your Parisian food tour to taste a classic onion soup with a homemade feel.

Onion soup is a typical French dish made with meat stock and caramelized onions, served au gratin with croutons or a larger piece of bread, and topped with cheese. It’s a divine mix of flavors and textures that’s hard to forget— especially if you’re a cheese lover.

3. A grilled sandwich and the tastiest crêpes at Chez Alain Miam Miam 

Chez Alain Miam Miam is famous for its bocadillos and crêpes, and it’s another gem of the Marais district.

As a fun fact, Miam Miam is the French translation of “Yum-yum,” and it sure lives out by its name.

This cozy shop is pretty simple at first sight, but it’s one of the best places to eat a rich and fulfilling sandwich in Paris. You might have to wait for a bit to get in, but it’s 100% worth it.

In addition to the sandwiches, you can order a crêpe or try a delicious galette to top off your meal. There is no way you leave hungry after going to this place.

4. The best cheese and cured meats at A la Ville de Rodez

If you have no idea what to eat in Paris that you won’t probably find in any other place in the world, French cheese will always be the answer. And luckily for you, A la Ville de Rodez offers a wide variety of cheeses that will blow your mind.

This small but cozy deli has been in the Rue Vieille-du-Temple Street for ages and offers some of the finest French cheeses and cured meats from the Auvergne and Aveyron regions of France.

The Comté cheese is a favorite that you can taste on your visit to A la Ville de Rodez. Accompany it with good wine and saucisson to make an exquisite appetizer, and enjoy!

5. The best falafel in the world at L’as du Fallafel

Paris is a multicultural city to delight every palate with flavors from all over the world, and if you like Middle Eastern food, you’ll love this recommendation.

In the Jewish quarter of the Le Marais, you can eat the best falafel at the famous L’as du Fallafel— a must-go place in all of Europe recommended by Lenny Kravitz.

L’as du Fallafel is a kosher Middle Eastern restaurant known for its mouth-watering falafel sandwich. The hummus and the filling shawarmas are other wonders to highlight.

When you plan your visit to this place, keep in mind that it is closed on Friday nights and Saturdays because of the Shabbat. 

Also, usually, it has a long queue but completely worth it in my opinion.

6. Soft and flavorful macarons at Boutique Pierre Hermé

If you have a sweet tooth, you can’t miss the iconic, colorful, and soft macarons. These airy sandwich cookies are a staple in French cuisine, and at Maison Pierre Hermé, you can taste some of the most delicious macarons from all of France.

Macarons have an —almost infinite— variety of fillings, including chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, raspberry, cream cheese, lemon, salted butter caramel, and more. Chef Pierre Hermé is famous for his creative combinations of flavors, besides his classic Balinese dark chocolate macaron.

7. First-class chocolate at Maison Jean-Paul Hévin

If you are visiting Paris, you can’t leave without trying some French chocolate.

Maison Jean-Paul Hévin is an award-winning chocolatier famous for its exceptional variety of chocolate and exquisite combinations to please all tastes. Plus, you can also try some top-tier macarons!

This is like the chocolate heaven for foodies, and it is a must-go if you love sweet treats. However, bear in mind that this is no cheap place.

8. Natural French wine at L’Etiquette

The best way to enjoy wine in Paris is to go to the small local stores tucked away in the neighborhoods of Parisian streets instead of the big commercial chains. And, at L’Etiquette, you can try some of the most delicious natural wines.

This place is in the Rue Jean-du-Bellay Street, and its owner Harvé will make your visit an exciting, refreshing, and flavorsome journey into the varied world of wines. It’s a whole new experience that you can only have in Paris!

9. A comforting hot chocolate at Angelina

Angelina is a high-end restaurant and café where you can find one of the best —if not the best— hot chocolate in France. It’s thick and has a vibrant flavor that you would hardly find in any other café outside Paris.

Besides the hot chocolate, Angelina is a great place to eat brunch or enjoy some tea with yummy pastries.

10. A classic, crunchy sourdough at Poilâne Bakery

Of course, bread is one of the top foods to eat in Paris, and Poilâne is the best place to find the traditional French sourdough, crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside.

Founded in 1932, Poilâne is one of the most famous local bakeries in Paris. Besides their fresh bread, you can enjoy other baked goods, like their delicious apple tart. If you want to know what authentic French bread should taste, you must come here!

11. The best steak tartare at Les Fines Gueules

Les Fines Gueules is one of the most popular restaurants to taste the best of French cuisine. It is an essential stop if you look for traditional dishes with 100% local flavor.

Located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, Les Fines Gueules offers one of the best steak tartars in the world. Their oysters, natural wines, and desserts are also excellent.

Another good recommendation for a first-class steak tartare is Le Severo, in the Rue des Plantes street in the 14^th arrondissement.

12. Fresh oysters in the Marché des Enfants Rouges market

A fundamental part of the typical gastronomy of Paris is in its local markets, where you can find fantastic and inexpensive options to eat.

At the Marché des Enfants Rouges, you can find many street food stalls and fresh, quality products. 

You can taste Paris’s best and freshest oysters among the many options you have to eat in this market. However, it is also worth exploring the place for its welcoming and multicultural restaurants.

13. Traditional frog legs at Roger La Grenouille

Founded in 1930, Roger La Grenouille is a historic, frog-themed restaurant in Paris, visited by famous personalities like Picasso, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Pope John XIII, and even the Queen of England. This is probably the most French place in Paris.

Roger La Grenouille is famous for its excellent French dishes— another incredible option to eat oysters, escargots, etc. But, their specialty is frog legs, which you can try in many different ways from the huge variety on their menu.

14. The famous escargots at L’Escargot Montorgueil

L’Escargot Montorgueil is a first-class French restaurant offering probably the best escargots you can taste in Paris since 1832. It is in the heart of Les Halles, and, according to its website, it is listed as a Historic Monument— just imagine the taste of their snails with that title.

Yet, consider this is an expensive place, but if you want to taste the most famous escargots in France, you need to include L’Escargot Montorgueil in your Parisian food tour.

15. Unique, refreshing, and 100% personalized cocktails at Bisou

Last but not least, if you are looking for some unforgettable cocktails for a fun night out in Paris, you must go to Bisou.

Bisou defines itself as a “sexy, fun & sustainable cocktail bar” and is a place known for its custom cocktails prepared on the spot with the ingredients of your choice. They make 100% personalized drinks for you with fresh ingredients, so they don’t give you a menu when you arrive— interesting, right?

Paris is full of unique places to see, eat, and enjoy. These were just a few of the best foods and restaurants in the beautiful City of Light, but there are many hidden gems worth exploring on your own.

Have you visited any of these places in Paris? Share your experience below!