Paris is one of the most enchanting places in the world to visit. It’s known for being a place of love, art, and culture and sees millions of visitors each year flock to the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum.
Perhaps one of the biggest attractions in Paris, though, is its cuisine. The culinary landscape in the city is diverse- catering to all tastes through anything from buttery croissants to savoury escargots. Whether you’re a trained foodie or simply looking for a tasty treat, there’s something for you to chew in Paris.
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Street Food In Paris
Any stroll in Paris will be one filled with the scent of good food. It’s impossible to miss the street food in Paris, and there are so many options to choose from- whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack on the go.
The Marche des Enfants Rouges is the oldest food market in Paris, having been established in 1615. The market has around 20 different food stalls and is a perfect testament to the city’s long-standing preoccupation with street food.
Today, Paris has its own unique street food culture based on classic French cuisine as well as some international favourites, with vendors placed on every corner of the city.
Some of the best food in Paris is found on the streets. Common street French cuisine includes:
- Crepes: Originating in 13th century France, Crepes can be found down any street in Paris. They’re thin, light pancakes cooked in a large pan. Crepes are often served with Nutella or jam, and they can also be served with savoury vegetables and a meat filling.
- Baguette Sandwiches: This sandwich is made from baguette bread and is a traditional food in Paris. Crab, artichoke hearts, beef, tomato, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise spread, shrimp, and green onions are commonly used as stuffing, but you can change them according to your preferences.
- Croissants: Croissants are quintessentially French and can be found at many a street vendor’s stall. They’re made from layered yeast-leavened dough and typically have French butter spread over the dough that is rolled several times in a row into a sheet, leaving a flaky textured and delicious pastry behind. They’re great for breakfast or a midday snack.
- Macarons: These classic French sweet treats are sold as street food in Paris. They’re made from egg whites, food colouring, almond meal, and icing sugar and have a wide variety of flavours. Macarons are a top food in Paris to try!
Along with these French favourites, you can find anything from the classic American burger and French fries to Lebanese food and much more!
The street food in Paris is truly a treat for the senses. So, if you’re looking for good food in Paris, then you don’t have to go much further than the street you’re staying on.
Popular Food In Paris
If you’re tired from walking all day and are looking for more of a sit-down meal, then you’re likely to find some of these common foods in Paris in one of the city’s many restaurants.
Escargot:
- Who can think of the French without thinking of their snails? This famous food in Paris has become a national symbol and popular food that you cannot leave the city without trying. Escargot is typically served in a portion of half or a full dozen at a time and presented while still in their shells.
- Rich in iron and magnesium, escargot tends to be stuffed with garlic, herbs, and butter.
- Some restaurants take them to the next level and serve them with truffle and curry sauces- so keep an eye out for those if that’s your thing!
Steak tartare:
- Steak tartare has become a bistro staple since its introduction into the country in the 17th century by Russian sailors, making it a typical food in Paris.
- The raw ground beef is seasoned with black pepper, onions, and capers and is typically served with a raw egg yolk on top.
Onion soup
- Caramelized onion and beef broth make up the famous French onion soup. It’s quite a simple soup to prepare and is a true testament to France’s gastronomy- where else is a simple onion elevated to such culinary heights?
Crème Brulee
- This French dessert is made of a custard base with a layer of hardened caramel on top. It was first made in the 17th century and has become one of the most popular foods in Paris.
Cheese:
- Cheese is so revered in France that it has become its own meal. It’s often consumed after the main dish and before the dessert. You can find many varieties in restaurants in Paris, from creamy Brie de Meaux to pungent Munster.
Since France is the third largest producer of wine in the world (producing around 34. 2 million hectoliters per year) be sure to gulp your food down with a tasty glass. You’ll find many varieties to choose from in the restaurants and wine bars littered throughout Paris.
Vegan Food In Paris
If cheese is not quite your thing, then don’t fret- Paris has many vegan and vegetarian food options to choose from.
The city has become one of the most vegetarian and vegan-friendly European cities in recent years and boasts a great variety of such restaurants. Paris has also become a leader in plant-based and eco-friendly fare!
Here are some Parisian restaurants that serve vegan food:
- Eden Lodge has renewable solar and wood pellet energy, which has made it completely carbon neutral. It serves vegan food options and is great for the environment all around!
- Jo and Nana Cakes is a completely vegan café. They specialize in putting plant-based twists on classic French desserts. It’s also allergy friendly and offers gluten-free pastries.
- L’ abattoir vegetal translates to ‘vegetable slaughterhouse’ and it’s a trendy vegan restaurant in Paris that is situated in what was once a butcher’s shop. They serve organic, vegan, gluten-free food, cocktails and mocktails. Their menu is expansive, including curries, traditional French foods, and modern-styled food. The restaurant is also committed to reducing waste and seasonal eating, keeping its sourcing chains to a minimum.
- Le Potager de Charlotte is one of Paris’s original and most revered plant-based restaurants. The founders are vegan brothers, and the menu is both local and organic. It rotates as the seasons do and they also have an extensive collection of natural wines and homemade juices.
Fast Food In Paris
What culinary centre would be complete without its fast-food chains? Paris is not only made up of esteemed restaurants but also hosts a range of the typical guilty pleasure fast-food chains.
Paris has the highest density of fast-food restaurants in France- reaching 336 fast-food outlets.
International fast-food chains offer similar menus to their restaurants in other countries. Some of the popular international chains in Paris include:
- McDonald’s: It’s the most popular chain in Paris, with 85 restaurants in the city.
- Burger King: There are 22 Burger King restaurants in Paris, and the popularity of the chain has seen an increase in recent years.
- KFC: There are 12 KFC restaurants in Paris.
- Quick: there are four outlets in Paris.
Alongside these international fast-food favourites, Paris also has local fast-food options like Galettes, which is a savoury crepe made with buckwheat flour.
Facts About Food In Paris
It’s not only the flavour of the food in Paris that makes it remarkable. The history and fun facts behind some of the dishes also make them stand out.
Here are a few fun facts about food in Paris:
1. There are more than 400 varieties of French cheese.
- The cheeses are classified according to their industrial, farm, or artisanal character.
- Eating cheese is a common dietary habit for the French, with 96% who eat cheese.
- The average consumption of cheese is 26. 7kg per head.
- 1 out of 4 French people are heavy consumers of cheese (they eat it all day long).
- 42% of French people eat cheese once or twice a day, they are average consumers.
- Light consumers of cheese make up 31% of French people and they eat cheese less than once a day.
2. Paris has 119 Michelin-starred restaurants.
- This makes it the city with the second highest Michelin stars in the world, just under Tokyo in Japan which has 226-starred restaurants.
- In Paris, 10 restaurants have three Michelin stars, 17 have two Michelin stars, and 92 have one Michelin star.
3. Bakers Are Bound By Law
- Bread bakers in Paris have strictly regulated summer holidays for fear of there not being enough bread in the city.
- This rule dates back to the French Revolution in 1798 when a baker, Denis Francois, was lynched for not opening his shop to the hungry. There was not enough bread being produced for those who needed it, and the Military Law passed by the Constituent Assembly that year meant that authorities could commandeer bakeries so that enough bread was being produced and its availability as a staple food was guaranteed.
- In 1956, this legislation changed so that all bakers could get a minimum of three weeks off per year so that they could also enjoy a holiday.
- Today, the roughly 1, 200 bakeries in Paris are split between two groups: One group that closes in July and the other in August. They swap the dates annually. This is done to ensure a daily dose of croissants, baguettes, and other bread types.
4. And So Is Their Bread
- Every French village must sell bread by law and around ten million Baguettes are sold in France each year.
- The Decret Pain law passed in 1993 by the French Government stipulates that traditional baguettes need to be made at the same place where they are to be sold and may only contain four ingredients, namely, salt, wheat flour, water, and yeast. Following the law, they also may not be frozen or contain preservatives and additives. So this means they have a pretty short shelf life of 24 hours before going stale.
- Baguettes must also have a diameter of 5-6 cm and a length of 55- 65 cm.
What’s the best food in Paris? Well, that depends on your tastes. All we can say is Bon Appétit!
Sources:
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https://www.lefoodist.com/guides/cooking-classes-paris/cookingparis2
https://www.france24.com/en/20130815-french-revolutionary-rule-keeps-bakers-paris
https://en.parisinfo.com/shopping-paris/73876/Marche-couvert-les-Enfants-Rouges
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https://www.renestance.com/blog/la-baguette-central-to-french-life/
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Penny is a sought-after wedding and party planner, known primarily for her exquisite culinary knowledge, sharp palette and inventive pairings of wine and drink.
She has traveled the world hunting for the best food and drink to share with her clients on their special day.