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10 iconic Paris foods to try from a local
A quick guide to iconic Paris food, local tips, and must-try dishes you can't skip.
Paris is more than the Eiffel Tower and museum tours.
The real city lives in its warm bakeries at sunrise, busy sidewalk cafés, and markets filled with cheese, fresh bread, and local chatter.
To guide you toward the dishes that define the city, I spoke with Camille Norest, born and raised in Paris and now an SEO Manager at Holafly, to share her local tips on what you should try in the City of Light.
1. Croissants
An authentic Paris croissant is simple, warm, and eaten fresh from a boulangerie.
Paris adopted the croissant from the Austrian kipferl. Local bakers, however, transformed it through lamination, creating the crisp exterior and airy interior we now associate with French breakfast culture.
Most croissants in France are industrially produced, so locals seek out artisanal shops where the dough is made by hand and baked throughout the morning.
What makes a good croissant? It should crackle when you pull it apart, smell of caramelized butter, and reveal soft, layered dough inside.
While classics rule, you’ll also find modern twists like almond croissants, New York rolls, and even the “crookie” in France’s capital.
According to Camille, some of the best croissants are found in Paris’s underrated suburbs like Neuilly-sur-Seine and Saint-Cloud, where neighborhood boulangeries bake fresh throughout the morning without the tourist crowds.
2. Escargots
Escargots are one of the city’s most classic starters. Yet, Camille tells me that Parisians often reserve them for festive meals rather than everyday dining.
The dish traces its fame to Burgundy, but Paris refined it into the version we know today: tender snails baked with garlic, parsley, and plenty of butter.
The flavor is mild and earthy, with the sauce doing most of the work, and the texture is closer to that of mushrooms or shellfish than you’d expect. Camille says that you’ll find escargots in old-school brasseries, bouillons, and historic spots like L’Escargot Montorgueil, always served with bread to soak up the extra butter.
Pro tip from Camille: Expect light tipping (pun intended) in Paris. Add about €1 for a coffee if you’re seated, nothing if you order at the bar, and around €5–15 for a meal, depending on the service.
3. Coq au Vin
Coq au Vin may come from the French countryside, but Paris made it a true bistro staple.
Camille says that you’ll find it in historic spots like Le Procope and cozy Latin Quarter restaurants. Interestingly, the dish is built on layers of flavor:
- Chicken braised in red wine until tender
- Smoky lardons
- Earthy mushrooms
- Sweet pearl onions
Yet, the sauce is the star: dark, glossy, and rich with herbs like thyme and bay leaf.
Modern kitchens use chicken instead of old roosters, but the long, careful braise remains the heart of the dish.
4. French Onion Soup
French onion soup is deeply rooted in Paris’s history, and Camille notes that locals still consider it the ultimate comfort dish for cold weather.
It started as simple market food but became famous around Les Halles, where late-night restaurants served it to workers and partygoers who needed something warm and restorative. Its flavor comes from onions cooked until deeply caramelized, a beef broth adding savory depth, and a splash of wine that brings brightness. On top, toasted baguette and melted Gruyère form the signature golden crust.
Today, you’ll find standout versions at classics like Au Pied de Cochon, La Poule au Pot, and cafés across the Marais.
5. Oysters
Oysters are a cornerstone of Parisian dining, especially in traditional brasseries and seafood-focused restaurants.
Camille specifically recommends trying oysters when visiting Paris, as they’re a staple of French food culture. Parisians eat them year-round, though they’re especially popular in winter. You’ll see them piled on ice at brasseries, served with lemon, shallot vinegar, and rye bread with butter.
The most common varieties in Paris are from Brittany and Normandy—Fines de Claire, Spéciales, and Gillardeau. They range from briny and crisp to creamy and sweet, depending on where they’re raised.
For the full experience, order a plateau de fruits de mer (seafood platter) at historic spots in Montparnasse or Saint-Germain, where oysters come alongside prawns, whelks, and crab. Camille also points to Versailles, one of her recommended underrated spots just outside Paris, as a great destination for quality oyster bars.
6. Blanquette de Veau
Blanquette de veau is one of Paris’s most comforting bistro dishes, recommended by Camille as an essential taste of traditional Parisian cuisine.
The dish features tender veal in a creamy white sauce. Veal is simmered until incredibly tender, then finished with a velvety sauce made from the cooking broth, cream, and egg yolk. The dish includes carrots, pearl onions, and mushrooms, all bathed in the silky sauce.
Unlike darker braises, blanquette stays pale and delicate, with lemon juice adding brightness. It’s traditionally served with rice or steamed potatoes to soak up the sauce.
You’ll find excellent versions at classic bistros like Benoit and Allard in the 6th arrondissement. Camille recommends exploring Saint-Cloud, one of the underrated Paris suburbs, for neighborhood bistros serving authentic blanquette.
7. Quiche Lorraine
Quiche Lorraine is a French classic that appears in every Paris café, bakery, and bistro. Camille specifically includes this on her list of essential Parisian dishes.
The authentic version features just eggs, cream, bacon, and a buttery crust—no cheese, though most modern places add Gruyère. The filling should be custardy and rich, with smoky lardons providing savory depth. The crust is key: it needs to be crisp and golden, not soggy.
Parisian bakeries bake them fresh throughout the day, serving them warm or at room temperature. You’ll find great versions at neighborhood boulangeries and classic spots like Liberté in the Marais.
According to Camille, the bakeries in Neuilly-sur-Seine, one of the underrated Paris suburbs, offer excellent quiche without the tourist crowds.
8. Cassoulet
Cassoulet is a hearty, slow-cooked casserole from southern France that has become a Paris winter staple. Camille recommends this as an essential dish to try in Paris.
The dish combines white beans, duck confit, pork sausage, and sometimes lamb, all slow-cooked until the flavors meld together. The top forms a golden crust from breadcrumbs and rendered fat.
Each region in France has its own version, but Parisian bistros tend to favor the Toulouse style with duck confit and Toulouse sausage. It’s rich, filling, and perfect with a glass of red wine.
Try it at traditional brasseries like Benoit or Chez Denise for an authentic version.
9. Boeuf Bourguignon
Boeuf Bourguignon may come from Burgundy, but Paris turned it into a bistro essential.
Originally a simple farmhouse stew, this dish became popular in the early 1900s, making appearances in elegant hotels before settling into the hearts of families as a winter staple. It’s crafted through a slow-braising process that takes hours, featuring well-marbled beef that’s beautifully caramelized and then simmered in deep red Burgundy wine until it’s incredibly tender and bursting with flavor.
In Paris, Camille notes, it’s often served over mashed potatoes, making it one of the city’s most comforting meals.
10. Tarte Tatin
Tarte Tatin is one of France’s great culinary stories, and Parisians love it for its mix of nostalgia and technique.
Born in a country hotel run by the Tatin sisters, the dessert gained fame only after Parisian restaurants like Maxim’s added it to their menus in the early 20th century. The tart is baked upside down: apples simmer in butter and sugar until dark and glossy. Then they are covered with pastry and flipped after baking. The flavor balances sweet, tart, and lightly bitter caramel notes, while the texture shifts from soft, syrupy apples to a crisp, buttery crust.
Served warm with crème fraîche, it’s a Paris classic you can’t miss.
Find Paris’s best food spots on the move with Holafly
Whether you’re chasing the city’s best croissants, a bistro that slow-braises Boeuf Bourguignon, or a perfect Tarte Tatin, a Paris travel eSIM can come in handy.
Holafly’s eSIM store offers unlimited data plans with flexible validity periods from 1 to 90 days, 24/7 live chat customer support, and reliable 4G/5G coverage across Paris and France.
You can install the eSIM in minutes and stay connected without needing to swap SIM cards or worry about international roaming charges, so you can navigate hidden bistros, check opening hours, or share your Parisian food finds on the go.
Frequent travelers exploring across Europe or planning a longer stay can also try Holafly Plans, a pay-monthly global eSIM plan that offers unlimited data, unlimited hotspot, and a local number to receive SMS, plus other travel perks.
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I am a Liverpool-based SEO content specialist with years of experience crafting content that connects. I combine my love for clear communication with a passion for travel and languages (currently diving into Japanese!). At Holafly, I'm here to help you understand everything about staying connected abroad, turning technical jargon into straightforward advice you can actually use.
