Classic Foods Not to Skip in Paris, France

Croissant
Photo by mahyar motebassem on Unsplash

Paris, France is widely considered to be one of the top culinary locales in the world. The city is home to over 100 Michelin Star restaurants as well as several revered cooking schools such as the famous Le Cordon Bleu. Whether you prefer fine dining or more casual fare is your thing, there’s no denying that Paris is the place to be for anyone for whom food is an important aspect of a travel experience. While there is certainly plenty of innovation found in such a culinary-focused culture, in our opinion, there are a few classic French dishes and desserts that we’d consider a must-try when visiting the City of Light.

Croissants

You can never go wrong with a flakey, buttery croissant alongside a cup of coffee, and where better to enjoy such a pair than in Paris? Some of the best croissants we’ve found were from the bakeries Maison Pichard and Du Pain et des Idées.

Crêpes

The best thing about crêpes is how versatile they are. They’re traditionally made from just flour, milk, and eggs, making them a perfect canvas for all kinds of sweet and savory fillings. We love the salted caramel crêpes (Caramel Maison) from La Crêperie du Clown when we’re feeling something sweet or the mushroom crêpes (poêlée de champignons) from Breizh Café for a savory option.

Ratatouille

Yes, like the movie. Ratatouille is traditionally a peasants’ dish of stewed vegetables such as tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplant. It’s also very popular in Paris and can be a nice alternative to many of the meat and dairy-heavy dishes found in French cuisine.