French Gastronomy
French gastronomy, and therefore that of Paris, is characterized by having delicate and refined dishes , with fantastic touches of flavor . If you have been told that croissants are a “must” that you must try in France, it is true, it is one of the things to eat in Paris. But not everything is sweet, there are also other delicious dishes that you can try when visiting Paris such as Ratatouille or cheese.
French cuisine has a wide range of dishes that, if you are a true gourmet, and you must try all the dishes of the place you visit, perhaps a visit to Paris is not enough, is it? If you are one of those people who wants to know what to eat in Paris , and any destination you travel to, in this article you will find some ideas of the most important dishes in the city of light. The Parisian kitchen has a wide range of sandwiches, food (meals) and light entrees , which will make your stomach relax during your vacation. Something that possibly calls your attention to the dishes is that spices occupy a primordial place in French cuisine, especially aromatic herbs .
One of the legends of French gastronomy is its fantastic croissants and sweets such as crepes. Its buttery taste will make your greedy side wake up in a fierce way. You can’t leave Paris without trying one and taking the required photo!
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Typical Dishes Of Paris
Here is a list of those dishes that you should not miss when you are in Paris. If you want to know some restaurants where you can try typical Parisian dishes, you can visit our section on restaurants in Paris .
Onion Soup
This is one of the most popular starters in Paris, and it is a delicacy that you should not miss. It is made with onion, butter and cheese and is usually ideal to enjoy if you travel to Paris in winter.
Omelets
French omelettes are something you cannot miss during your trip to Paris. You will find them stuffed with different ingredients (with mushrooms, with ham, with various vegetables) and made with cheeses that are the glory.
Croque Monsieur
This is the name given to the most popular sandwich in Paris . It is made with sliced bread and filled with ham and Gruyère cheese; even, in some places bechamel is added . Do not miss it!
Escargot
The word “escargots” means snail in French . The dish is snails that are seasoned with garlic, parsley and butter. Once seasoned, the dish is baked in the oven to melt the butter and cook the meat a little.
Foie Gras
This starter is also known as “foigrás” but in French it would be pronounced something like “fuá gras”. This dish is made with duck or goose liver , which can be spread on a slice of bread.
Vichyssoise
The famous leek purée that is so difficult to make, due to the leek trick that we are not all capable of achieving. The soup, or purée, is made with leek, potato, onion, cream and milk . The ingredients are crushed and served in a deep plate or in a large bowl.
Duck With Orange
Without a doubt, the name of this dish makes us think of Paris immediately, its delicacy is found even in the name “canard a l’orange” . It is a meal that is baked very slowly and as time goes by, both the meat and the vegetables that accompany it acquire the flavor of citrus.
Chicken In Wine
A similar version of the previous dish, but ideal for lovers of good wine. This and the spices have a predominant role in this meal.
Quenelle
It is a veal pasta accompanied with bechamel , or tomato, which for many is the great jewel of French cuisine. You’ve tried?
Quiche Lorraine
Quiche is called the dishes that look like cakes but are salty , such as vegetable quiche, leeks, bacon, chicken, among other ingredients. This salty tart is made with an egg and cream base and is usually also seasoned with cheese. A delicacy that you should not miss.
Boeuf Bourguignon
This traditional French dish is originally from the Burgundy region. The dish is a beef stew , where the meat is slow-cooked in red wine from Burgundy . Other ingredients such as onions, garlic and carrots are also added.
Fromage
Although it may seem strange to you, one of the most Parisian culinary customs is to have a cheese plate at the end of a meal. The Fromage consists of a plate made up of cheeses of different flavors, among which the most popular are never lacking: Camembert, Roquefort, Brie and Boursin. Then you usually have something sweet.
Sweet Bread
As simple as it may seem, in Paris it is very common to finish the meal with a bread filled with jam and butter . It is usually taken at breakfast but there are also those who consume it after meals. In general it is made with baguette although sometimes they are made with already flavored buns and other types of bread.
Croissants
One of the famous “must” to try in Paris . The croissants are made with butter and are very crispy, those who taste them say they are a delicacy . You can’t leave Paris without trying one of them and comparing it to your neighborhood bakery.
Apple Pie
It is another of the most popular desserts in France, it is made with caramelized apples and it is one of the things that you should not miss in French cuisine.
Crepes
This famous dessert has a different taste than what you usually eat in your usual cafeteria. Try sitting in a café and having a coffee with a Parisian crepe, enjoying the views. Surely it is a tourist rest plan as sweet as the snack.
Pain Au Chocolat
This sweet is known in Spain as Napolitana. It is a sweet made with puff pastry and butter, filled with chocolate cream . Despite being a French specialty, it is also found in Spain. If you do not know what to eat in Paris, and you are not a fan of taking risks, you can try this sweet and compare it with the well-known one; you will see that the taste is completely different and surprisingly sweet and tasty.
French Wines
If you are passionate about good wine , visiting Paris will awaken the sommelier in you. Among the many types of wine that you will find in Paris, we recommend that you do not miss Bordeaux and Médoc , which are the jewels of the French wine industry . If you want to know about the history of wines in France, you can visit the Musée du vin, you will find information in our museum guide.
French Cheeses
France is also known for its famous cheeses , it is one of the most prestigious countries in the production of this type of dairy. Among the thousands of varieties of French cheeses , we recommend that you try the national versions of Emmental, Brie and Camembert . We assure you that the flavor is completely different from what you are used to trying from your trusted supermarket or market.