A week eating in Paris is decadent, rich, and emotional. The food is so flavorful and intricate. I see weight watchers in my near future due to the high fat content of the classic dishes. I don’t understand how all Parisians are not clinically obese. For those that do not like spicy food, you are in luck! The French are about subtle flavors. Nothing here hits you over your head and burns your mouth. It is worth coming to Paris once for the art, the architecture, and the culinary experience. More than once, you will need a trip to the cardiac cath lab.
Must-try culinary finds in Paris and some places to eat them
For pastries, Stohrer is a historic pâtisserie in Paris. There are tons of pastry joints all over the place though that are delicious.
For classic bistro food, Le Bon Georges is often noted for traditional French food.
For Diet Caffeine Free Coke you can go to Franprix! These markets are all over and have premade meals, a salad bar, snacks, and soda. I mention this because it is new to France and most stores and restaurants do not have it.
Here are some recommendations for French favorites while in Paris:
- Soupe à l’oignon → Classic French onion soup is with rich broth, onions, bread, and melted cheese. It is a meal on its own. Au Pied de Cochon in Les Halles is super for the soup, and La Jacobine is another strong choice for a bowl of the heavenly creation. [pieddecochon.com], [lajacobine.fr]
- Steak-frites → Le Relais de l’Entrecôte is the most iconic choice for this dish of steak with fries, while La Bourse et La Vie is another delicious option. [Le Relais…’Entrecôte]
- Escargots → L’Escargot Montorgueil is one of the most obvious and traditional places to go for snails with garlic-parsley butter, especially if you want a real French vibe. [L’Escargot]
- Confit de canard →If it quacks like a duck and is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, then it must be confit de canard! FrenchParadox – Canard & Champagne makes a mean canard that will have you coming back for more! [frenchparadox.paris]
- Jambon-beurre → This simple sandwich of ham in a buttery baguette is lunch for people all over Paris. Le Petit Vendôme is the classic recommendation for this lunch meal on the go.
- Pâté en croûte / terrines → Maison Verot is the place to go to try pâté en croûte and terrines., [Maison Verot]. Maison Pou also has splendid choices for pâté near the Arc de Triomphe.
- Crêpes / galettes →Crepes are large light pancakes that have sweet or savory fillings like cheese, chocolate, eggs, or Nutella. They are eaten for any meal, but more so for breakfast and lunch. Breizh Café and La Crêperie de Josselin are good choices to go to for this traditional French faire. [breizhcafe.com]
- Croissants → Boulangerie Utopie is a beloved bakery that has the flaky wonders. Stohrer is terrific if you want a historic store for this buttery pastry that is classic breakfast food in France. You get bragging rites for going here… Croissants can come plain or with fillings like chocolate or cheese. [boulangeri…utopie.com], [stohrer.fr]
- Baguettes→ For award-winning baguettes, Le Fournil Didot is the place to go for this loaf of bread with a crispy crust and soft insides. The shape is thinner than a North American loaf and longer. You can go to any bakery to find them on any corner of the city. They pair beautifully with a soft cheese like brie or camembert due to their crunchy crust.
- Macarons →Are one of Frances best pastry treats. Pierre Hermé is all about the flavor, while some would say Ladurée is the most iconic Parisian experience. [pierreherme.com], [laduree.com]. While I was at Ladurée with a waif thin friend, the fire alarm went off. My first thought was to save the macaroons. My friend grabbed me and pushed me out the door and said let them burn. Blasphemy, I tell you!! I went back to buy the citron ones. NYC now has a Ladurée, so no need to wait to go to Paris for the experience.
When Marie said- “Let them eat cake”, she was not kidding! One will find the MOST beautiful desserts in the world in Paris. What they can do with sugar, can only be called art. Even eating Asian at Diep in Paris, is all about experiential dining. Give yourself one week in Paris and it will change your perspective on what food should be and can be.
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