The Proper Traveler

#1 - Boeuf Bourguignon

Considered the most famous dish in France, boeuf bourguignon is basically a beef stew. It is beef that is brazed and slowly cooked in red wine, carrots, potatoes, herbs, onions, and garlic. It is hearty and tender, and it deserves time at your table… but it won’t be at your table long.

#2 - Duck Confit

Photo Credit: *The Secret Supper Society*

Duck confit represents the class and sophistication of French cooking. It is duck that is cooked in its own fat and is gradually basted in butter. The meat is tender and the skin is crispy and salty. It’s usually served in a cassoulet or with vegetables.

#3 - Crossaint

There is really nothing more French than a traditional croissant. After all, France came up with the iconic pastry. Croissants are great anywhere you go, but nothing beats a croissant in Paris. Seriously, you haven’t had a croissant until you’ve had one in Paris. It tastes more buttery, crispier, and the texture is a little different. All the ones I had on my trip tasted wayyy better than any others I had outside of Paris.

#4 - French Onion Soup

Perhaps one of my favourites, this is soup that is comprised of tons of onions, garlic, herbs, and fine French wine. It is slowly cooked down and is usually topped with nice French bread and cheese. I’ve had it with white wines, such as chardonnay, as well as red wines to enhance the rich flavour of the onions. Not sure which is more traditional, but either way, it’ll flavourful and iconically “French.”

#5 - Steak Frites

This is a dish that you’ll see at every French restaurant. It is tender rib eye steak that is topped with a type of sauce (usually béarnaise) and served with fries (or other cuts of potato). It is a very filling and calorie-dense dish, so maybe skip breakfast ahead of time. The French cuisine is full of rich flavours, and steak frites is no exception.

#6 - French Baguette

French baguettes are world-famous for a reason. You haven’t really lived until you’ve had a proper French baguette from a bakery in Paris. It’s versatile: you can have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as many forms, such as the well-known jambon- beurre (ham sandwich).

#7 - Croque-Madame

A family favourite - the croque-madame is a sandwich with ham, cheese (particularly guryere), and topped with a fried egg. Although some may see this as a lunchtime meal, we like to enjoy ours during breakfast to get us through the day. Another popular sandwich is croque monsieur, which is the same minus the fried egg and served with bechamel sauce and dijon mustard.

#8 - Macarons

Nope, not talking about the coconut cookies… or the French president. Macarons are meringue wafers sandwiched with a type of filling. The flavours are endless, so try as many as you can. These cookies are very difficult to make (I know - I used to sell them). It takes hours to make just one, so know that they will be a little more pricy than expected; hint: you’ll know they’re high quality if they’re more than a few euros each.

#9 - Escargots

Not my cup of tea, but when in Paris…. Honestly, it’s not as bad as it sounds (or looks). I wouldn’t say Parisians eat this all the time, but it is definitely iconic to Parisian culture, which is more what this blog is about (not always the best food). It has the texture of an earthy mushroom with a garlic and herb butter. You’ll be given special utensils to take it from its shell, which can make it a unique experience. It kind of feels like a rite of passage when you’re in France.

#10 - Crêpes

We can’t have a food blog of Paris without talking about crepes. There are stands absolutely everywhere around Paris, so you’ll have no problem finding any. The most popular seems to be hazelnut spread, but it can also include berries, butter and sugar, and lemon. Take it with you as you stroll around the city of lights!

Top 10 Popular Foods to Try in Paris, France