
Ah, la bonne cuisine franchouillarde! The traditional baguette, croissant, cheese… All that’s missing is the beret, the red wine and the marinière, and you’d think you were in an episode of episode of Emily in Paris! Croque-Monsieur, Baba au rhum, egg mayonnaise… Discover these great classics of French gastronomy that we love to try in Paris. In addition to this (non-exhaustive) list of the 12 specialities that every Parisian must try at least once in their life, we even tell you where to find them… Nice, isn’t it?
1. La Baguette – The French icon
With its crisp golden crust and soft crumb, the baguette is a French icon. In Paris, the 12th arrondissement is where you’ll find the best traditional baguette. In 2023, artisan baker Tharshan Selvarajah won the prize for the best bakery in Paris!
📍”Au levain des Pyrénées” 44 rue des Pyrénées 75020 Paris
2. Le croissant – The French art of living
It’s one of the symbols of French art de vivre: the croissant! Just ahead of pain au chocolat, the croissant is the 1st Viennese pastry eaten by the French. When it comes to making this breakfast classic, Parisians seem to be the best. And for good reason: In 2021, artisan baker Adrien Ozaneaux won the 2nd edition of the of France’s best butter croissant. For a snack? See you in Epinay-sur-Orge, Essonne. Looking for the best croissants in the heart of Paris? Discover our Top 5 here!
3. Le croque-monsieur – A Parisian specialty born in 1900
There’s a traditional Parisian bistro dish: the croque-monsieur! Gourmet and comforting, the croque-monsieur was born in the 1900s on the Grands Boulevards. But where can you enjoy this icon of French counter-top gastronomy? For a croque-monsieur full of truffles, we recommend you visit Square Trousseau in the capital’s 12th arrondissement!
📍Square Trousseau, 1 rue Antoine Vollon 75012 Paris
4. Baba au rhum – A Parisian delicacy not to be missed
With its savarin soaked in syrup and rum, the Baba is a must! But do you know its history? Its inventor: Nicolas Stohrer, founder of the capital’s oldest patisserie. After training in Alsace, Nicolas Stohrer became pastry chef to Stanislas Leszczynski, ex-king of Poland, then exiled to lands belonging to the King of France. One day, when the King had brought back a Kouglof from a trip that he judged too dry, Nicolas Stohrer sprinkled Tokay wine over the brioche. This is how the “Baba” was born, the same one that became the “Baba au rhum” in 1835. As you can see, for a taste of the the best Baba in Paris, head for Stohrer in the legendary rue Montorgueil.
📍Stohrer, 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris
5. Onion soup (or Gratinée des Halles) – La soupe des Rois against hangovers
A classic of French gastronomy, onion soup is also known as “drunkard’s soup” for its supposed anti-hangover properties. According to legend, this specialty was invented by King Louis XV. While asleep in his hunting Boxes, the King awoke hungry in the middle of the night. With only onions, butter and champagne at his disposal, he would have made the 1st onion soup with just 3 ingredients. But today, where can you eat an excellent onion soup? For a taste of the “Gratinée des Halles”, visit the historic Parisian brasserie “Au Pied de Cochon”! . One of Paris’s 24-hour restaurants!
📍 Au Pied de Cochon, 6 rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris
6. Entrecôte-frites – A classic Paris specialty
It’s well known: the French are meat-eaters! And how can you be a true Parisian without ordering the traditional entrecôte-frites at the bistro? For a taste of the best, we’ve got some juicy addresses in stock! These include the Relai de l’entrecôte (Paris has 3), the unusual bidoche restaurant hidden behind a butcher’s shop or Les Provinces, a butcher’s shop and ‘étable à manger’ in the 12th arrondissement!
📍Le Relai de l’entrecôte, 15 Rue Marbeuf, 75008 Paris
📍Boucherie Bidoche, 7 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris
📍Les Provinces, 20 Rue d’Aligre, 75012 Paris
7. Fromages d’Ile-de-France – Parisian specialities not to be missed
The beret, the wine, the sailor suit, the baguette under the arm, the cheese… Such is the cliché of the Parisian. While the sailor suit and beret are clearly cliché, we’re ready to confess about the cheese! With 24 kg of cheese consumed per year per capita, the French are among the world’s biggest cheese consumers. In Ile-de-France, cheeses are distinguished by their mildness and quality. Brie de Meaux, petit chèvre d’Ile-de-France, Tomme de Saint Corentin… The IDF has an incredible variety of good cheeses. To taste them, visit some of the best cheese dairies in Paris, such as Monbleu (Paris 9), La Laiterie (Paris 18), Laurent Dubois (Paris 4, 5 and 15) or Julhès (Paris 10, 11)!
📍La Laiterie, 72 Rue Philippe de Girard, 75018 Paris
📍Laurent Dubois, 97-99 Rue Saint-Antoine, 75004 Paris
📍Julhès, 28 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010 Paris
8. L’oeuf Mayonnaise – The symbol of Parisian bistros and bouillons
Egg Mayonnaise is another classic of French gastronomy. Typical of Parisian bistronomic cuisine, the Mayo egg is appreciated for its simplicity, evoking the cuisine of our grandmothers. In 2023, chef Grégoire Simon won the world mayo egg championship, to be tasted at the Grande Brasserie vers Bastille. In the capital, we enjoy tasting it in the heart of the best Parisian Bouillons. While a new Bouillon Chartier has just opened opposite the Gare de l’Est, what would you say to a taste of its authentic eggs mayonnaise?
📍La Grand Brasserie, 6Rue de la Bastille, 75004 Paris
9. Shepherd’s pie – A popular and tasty dish
A convivial dish par excellence, hachis Parmentier consists of mashed potatoes and ground beef. In fact, this specialty owes its name to apothecary Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, who invented it to combat famine. Convinced that the potato could combat famine, he had King Louis XVI taste his hash. For the best shepherd’s pie in Paris, there are a few places to go. In the Marais, head for Royal Tuenne, Chez André or Le Coin in the 8th district.
📍Royal Tuenne, 24 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris
📍Chez André, 12 Rue Marbeuf, 75008 Paris
📍Le Coin, 88 Rue du Rocher, 75008 Paris
10. Macaroons – One of Paris’s best-known specialties
“It annoys me to see all these people queuing up at Ladurée… All for macaroons… But hey… I hear they’re good” Yes, Parisian macaroons are iconic. When we’re in Paris, we like to bring back whole boxes for our friends and family, and like any self-respecting Parisian, it’s our favorite. So where can you find the best macaroons in Paris? For that, head for Ladurée, Angelina and Pierre Hermé! Helmut Fritz, they’re very, very good!
📍Ladurée, 16 Rue Royale, 75008 Paris
📍Angelina, 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
📍Pierre Hermé, 4 Rue Cambon, 75001 Paris
11. L’Opéra – A sweet speciality named after one of Paris’ landmarks
It is one of France’s favorite pastries: l’Opéra! In 1955, Cyriaque Gavillon, then pastry chef at Dalloyau, came up with the now iconic caffeinated chocolate sweet. Why the Opera? Quite simply because, at the time, Paris’s leading pastry house was located on the outskirts of the Opéra Garnier. For a taste of the best Operas, go to Dalloyau of course, stohrer of course, but also Lenôtre.
📍Dalloyau, 35 boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
12. Millefeuille – An irresistible sweetness
Here’s another French pastry staple: Millefeuille! With its puff pastry and pastry cream, this dessert will delight the taste buds of all gourmets. And did you know? The 1st recipe for Millefeuille was published by Rouget in 1806. In Paris, it was finally introduced in 1867 by pastry chef Sergent. Parisians still love them! Among the best Millefeuilles are those of Stohrer, Pierre Hermé, Jacques Génin and Philippe Conticini, who has opened his succulent “Millefeuille bar” in the capital !
📍Philippe Conticini, 31 Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth, 75003 Paris