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10 Dishes You Must Try in Paris

While visiting the French capital there are a few things one simply must do: seeing the Eiffel Tower is one of them, taking a free guided walking tour through the city is another… and sampling all of the local dishes is the cherry on top!

What follows are ten easy-to-find, and incredibly popular, dishes in Paris. All of them delicious, none that will make you question your ethics (I’ve left foie gras off the list). Eat and enjoy!

1. Escargots

Escargots are unusual to a lot of travelers who first arrive in the city. This is not a dish found commonly elsewhere in the world, and it something quite indicative to the French.

Escargots – by DanceWithNyanko –

Escargots are land snails that are edible, and they are cooked with a variety of herbs in a saucy dream to be enjoyed with a slice of bread.

You will be able to eat these at just about every bistro, brasserie and cafe throughout the city center. They are traditionally a starter meal and served year round, including at Christmas dinner.

2. French Onion Soup

French Onion Soup is a dish of the land that made its way around the world thanks to popular demand.

This is an onion soup that is rich in flavor, thanks to the use of meat stock and onions in the base layer. The top is coated in gratinéed cheese and croutons, forming a thick outer layer with the liquid below.

The soup is served with bread, and while it is technically a starter dish one should be aware that most people are full when they get to the bottom of the bowl. It’s that hearty of a meal.

French onion soup – by Misaochaaan –

3. Créme Brûlée

Another traditional French treat that found its way into kitchens across the globe; crème brûlée is a custard dessert usually served in a small ramequin.

The dessert is topped with sugar that is caramelized using a blow torch, forming a rock solid top layer that needs to be penetrated before one can get to the sweet treat underneath.

In that sense, a crème brûlée is somewhat like the French onion soup of the dessert world?

Creme Brulee – by Joel Kramer –

4. Frog Legs

Frog legs are a French delicacy, and are not as readily available in Paris as you might expect.

The French, Vietnamese and Chinese all share this dish in common. As the name suggests, these are the meaty legs of frogs that are basted and roasted to culinary perfection.

Similar to chicken wings, there are amongst the least of the squeamish French delicacies on offer in Paris.

Frog Legs – by Jeremy Couture –

5. Crepes

If someone ever tries to tell you they don’t like crepes they are probably lying. Crepes originated in France, in a small village just outside of Paris actually.

They made their way into the city via Montparnasse, a neighborhood you should definitely head to if you want to taste the most authentic crepes in town.

Whether you like them sweet or savory, you’re bound to eat you body weight in crepes while visiting Paris.

Crepe – by Juan Fernández –

6. Croissants

Even more accessible than the crepe is the croissant.

This French pastry is served in just about every households each morning as a sweet or savory first meal of the day. You can also purchase them at any time from the patisseries and boulangeries around the city center.

The best time to buy croissants is first thing in the morning when they are fresh out of the ovens. Taking them along for picnics in Paris is also a recommended as they are easy on-the-go foods.

Croissants – by Raysonho –

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7. Macarons

If you’ve ever had a friend travel to Paris, it’s likely he or she brought back some macarons as gifts.

These are also French pastry creations consisting of meringue-based disks merged together using an almond-meal center.

They come in many colors and flavors, some better quality than others. Macaron making is considered an art in France.

Macarons – by Dietmar Rabich –

8. Baguettes

All romanticized renditions of Paris usually involve a beret, a bicycle and a baguette in some form or another.

Baguettes are really just French bread loaves, and they are the easiest lunch option for travelers in Paris.

You can pick up a baguette the same way you would a croissant in the morning. They are best served fresh and even a little warm if possible. Take them along to a picnic with some local cheese and wines for a truly romantic experience under the Parisian sky.

Baguette – by N i c o l a –

9. Steak Tartare 

Truth be told, steak tartare might make your toes curl depending on what meat was used in the making of the dish.

In Paris, most steak tartares make us of ground beef, but occasionally horse meat is used instead. If you aren’t accustomed to eating horse, be sure to ask twice before ordering this!

The dish is essentially a pile of raw, minced meat carefully flavored with a variety of sauces and spices. It is considered a dinner treat in France and is much loved amongst the meat eating locals.

Steak Tartare – by Kgbo –

10. Steak Frites

Steak frites is none other than simply steak and fries. No doubt this dish is served in many other countries around the world, with no direct link to the country of France.

The two key ingredients, the steak and the fries, simply go hand in hand very naturally. You’ll find steak frites on just about every bistro menu in Paris, and it’s a great meal for kids who might not want to eat things like escargots or frog legs during their trip.

Steak Frites – by LWY –

If you are dining out in Paris and don’t see steak frites on the menu, ask for it anyway. Most restaurants will cater the dish to anyone who asks as it is something simple for the chef to throw together.