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Best Food in Paris: Top Eats & Hidden Gems (2025/6 Guide)

Discover the best food in Paris: from croissants to Michelin stars.


Beyond the Michelin stars and famous cafés, Paris harbors a secret culinary world—one of hidden markets where chefs shop before dawn, underground supper clubs in historic apartments, and artisanal food craftsmen working in centuries old traditions.

This guide unveils the Paris that true food lovers dream of: where ancient cellars house aging cheeses, where vintage wine collections gather dust in forgotten corners, and where the city’s most exciting culinary experiments take place far from public view.

The best of food in Paris is found at one of the many French Cafes. Cafe Jade is a flower decorated Cafe on the Left Bank of Paris

Paris is a food lover’s paradise, from legendary bistros to hidden gems serving unforgettable French classics. Here’s your ultimate foodie guide, including must visit spots and off the radar treasures. In Paris be very careful where you eat along with superb food there is a lot of really bad food being served in restaurants and I’ve eaten at a few of them.

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Famous Food in Paris

Paris is a culinary paradise, famous for its rich and diverse food culture. Here are some of the most iconic Parisian foods you must try:

1. Baguette

The quintessential French bread, crispy on the outside and soft inside. Best enjoyed fresh from a boulangerie (bakery).

A platter of French breads, croissants, pain au chocolat, baguette

2. Croissant

A buttery, flaky pastry, best when au beurre (made with butter). Pair it with coffee for a classic Parisian breakfast.

3. Macarons

Delicate almond meringue cookies with creamy fillings. Ladurée and Pierre Hermé are the most famous makers.

4. Steak Frites

A simple yet delicious dish of grilled steak (usually entrecôte or filet) with crispy French fries.

5. Croque Monsieur/Madame

A grilled ham and cheese sandwich, topped with béchamel sauce. The Madame version adds a fried egg on top.

A croque monsieur sits on a plate. The sandwich is similar to a Grilled cheese but with a bechamel sauce toasted

6. Escargots (Snails)

Cooked in garlic-parsley butter, usually served as an appetizer. A must-try for adventurous eaters!

French Escargot or snails in a tin plate stuffed with garlic butter

7. French Onion Soup (Soupe à l’Oignon)

A rich, caramelized onion soup topped with melted cheese and bread. Perfect for cold days.

A tray of French Onion soup in a bowl with a handle the cheese is melted on top to a golden brown

8. Duck Confit (Confit de Canard)

Slow-cooked duck leg in its own fat until tender, often served with potatoes or salad.

9. Foie Gras

A luxurious duck or goose liver pâté, often served as a starter with toast or in terrines.

Meat liver pate on toasted bread with fruit seeds and spice herb, brown kitchen table,

10. Crêpes and Galettes

Thin pancakes, either sweet (Nutella, sugar, jam) or savory (ham, cheese, eggs). Try them at street stands in Montmartre. In France a Galette is traditionally served savoury while a crepe is sweet.

11. Ratatouille

A vegetable stew with eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes, often served as a side dish.

roasted vegetables in a ceramic pot

12. Tarte Tatin

An upside-down caramelized apple tart, best served warm with crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream.

Apple tart with caramel on white plate.

13. Cheese (Fromage)

Parisians take cheese seriously—try classics like Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, or Comté at a fromagerie.

raclette is cheese that is melted on a special plate then scraped onto bread or potatoes in France

14. Boeuf Bourguignon

A hearty beef stew cooked in red wine (Burgundy style), with mushrooms and onions.

Bonus: Wine & Café Culture

Parisians love their wine (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne) and coffee (order an espresso or café crème at a sidewalk café).

Where to Eat in Paris: Insider’s Guide to the Best French Food

1. Best Croissants & Pastries 

 Du Pain et des Idées (9th arr.) – Famous for *escargot pistache chocolat*. 

 Boulangerie Utopie (11th arr.) – Award winning croissants & creative pastries. 

 Blé Sucré (12th arr.) – Perfect buttery croissants in a quiet square. 

 2. Iconic French Bistros 

 Bistrot Paul Bert (11th arr.) – Quintessential Parisian bistro with steak frites & île flottante. 

 Chez La Vieille (1st arr.) – Authentic, old school French dishes in Les Halles. 

 Le Comptoir du Relais (6th arr.) – Legendary for its duck confit and foie gras. 

 3. Best Crêpes & Galettes 

 Breizh Café (Le Marais) – The finest Breton galettes (try the *complète* with Comté cheese). 

 Crêperie Beaubourg (4th arr.) – Hidden gem near Centre Pompidou. 

 4. Ultimate French Onion Soup 

 Au Pied de Cochon (1st arr.) – Open 24/7, serving a rich, cheesy *soupe à l’oignon*. 

 Bouillon Pigalle (9th arr.) – Modern take on the classic *bouillon* (budget friendly). 

Onion soup with dried bread, sage and cheddar cheese

 5. Best Steak Frites 

 Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (multiple locations) – No menu, just steak with their secret sauce. 

 Robert et Louise (Le Marais) – Rustic spot with open fire grilled meats. 

 6. Best Duck Confit & Cassoulet 

 Chez L’Ami Jean (7th arr.) – Basque style comfort food. 

 Au Petit Tonneau (7th arr.) – Tiny bistro with perfect duck confit. 

beans with chicken legs and grilled sausages

 7. Best Macarons

In their early stages, macarons did not have any fillings, jam, ganache, etc. unlike what we have today. It was in the 19th century when macarons began to be served two-by-two with filling, drinks, and spices; this is the macaron we know today.

Two almond meringue shells are sandwiched together and filled with jam, ganache or buttercream.  At one point it was called “Gerbet” or “Paris macaron.” Pierre Desfontaines of the French pâtisserie Ladurée is often given the credit for inventing these cookies in the early 20th century, however other bakers, including Claude Gerbet, likewise claim this credit.

 Pierre Hermé (the *king* of macarons, try *Ispahan*). 

 Ladurée (classic, but Pierre Hermé is better). 

Paris Food Guide: Must-Try Dishes & Secret Spots Secret Wine Bars

 Le Baron Rouge (12th arr.) – Standing room only wine bar with oysters, which come from Cancale the best oyster beds in France recommended by Anthony Bourdain.

 La Buvette (11th arr.) – Tiny natural wine spot with small plates. 

Cancale view, city in north of France known for oyster farming, Brittany.

Offbeat Food Markets 

 Marché des Enfants Rouges (3rd arr.) – Oldest covered market with global eats.  The market began in 1615 and is the oldest food market in Paris. It is located in the Haut Marais, a stone’s throw from rue de Bretagne. Parisians and tourists stock up on fresh produce while enjoying the colourful and fragrant stalls. 

 Marché d’Aligre (12th arr.) – Less touristy, great for cheese & charcuterie.  The Marché d’Aligre is a large, outdoor produce and flea market located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, and is a great addition to any Paris itinerary where you want to get off the beaten tourist path. Look behind the main market stalls for specialist vendors and hidden food artisans.

Best Chocolate & Chocolat Chaud 

 Jacques Genin (3rd arr.) – Heavenly hot chocolate & caramels. 

 Patrick Roger (Sain tGermain) – Award winning chocolatier with artistic creations. 

Best Cheese Shops

French President Charles de Gaulle asked (in 1962), “How can you govern a country which has two hundred and forty-six varieties of cheese?” How many cheeses are made in France? There are so many differences in the terroir of France that it leads to what some may claim as around 1,000 to 1600 distinctive types of French cheese.

 Fromagerie Laurent Dubois (5th arr.) – A *Meilleur Ouvrier de France* cheesemonger. 

 Barthélémy (7th arr.) – Tiny shop with rare cheeses. 

Board of various types of cheese and appetizers set

Best Hidden Bistros 

 Le Rigmarole (11th arr.) – Franco Japanese fusion, intimate setting. 

 Restaurant AT (11th arr.) – Tiny Michelin starred gem with seasonal tasting menus. 

Special Splurges (Worth It!) 

Michelin Starred Musts 

 Septime (11th arr.) – Trendy neo bistro (book months ahead). 

 Arpège (7th arr.) – Alain Passard’s veggie focused 3 Michelin starred temple. 

 Le Chateaubriand (11th arr.) – Iconic avant garde bistro. 

Best Food Halls & Gourmet Spots 

La Grande Épicerie (7th arr.)

Luxury food hall at Le Bon Marché.  Attached to Le Bon Marché, this luxury food hall is a Parisian institution, offering an exquisite selection of gourmet French products—from artisanal cheeses and champagne to decadent pastries. Its elegant, curated vibe makes it perfect for high-end edible souvenirs or a lavish picnic by the Seine.

©Polymagou, CC BY-SA 4.0

Eataly Paris (Marais)

Italian gourmet heaven.  This Italian gourmet megastore in the Marais brings a taste of Rome to Paris, with fresh pasta counters, wood-fired pizza, and shelves stocked with premium Italian imports (truffles, olive oil, and wine). The lively rooftop terrace hosts pasta-making classes and aperitivo nights, ideal for carb-loving travelers.

Unique Food Experiences 

Dine in a Bouillon (historic budget eateries like Bouillon Pigalle or Bouillon Julien). 

Devour Paris Ultimate Food Tour: Discover the few remaining family-run eateries in the Marais neighborhood of Paris with the insights of your local guide. Try classic French dishes, innovative pastries (patisserie), Jewish delicacies, and more as you visit both historical and modern-style eateries in this historical neighborhood. Learn about the stories behind French foods and the people who live and work in the district. Expect 11 tastings from eight dining establishments with enough samples to make a full meal.

Secret Food Experiences

Hidden Gourmet Shops

E. Dehillerin

A legendary cookware shop since 1820. The Parisian cookware shop near Les Halles, beloved by professional chefs and home cooks alike for its vast selection of high-quality copper pots, knives, and classic French baking tools since 1820. 

  • Specialties:
    • Copper cookware
    • Professional knives
    • Specialty molds

La Graineterie du Marché

A hidden spice and herb specialist a charming, old-world épicerie in Paris at the Rue Cler market, specializing in artisanal grains, spices, dried fruits, and organic products. A hidden gem since 1978, it’s where locals and chefs source rare ingredients like heirloom lentils, fleur de sel, and saffron. The wooden shelves and vintage scales add to its nostalgic appeal, making it a must-visit for food lovers seeking authentic French pantry staples. 

  • Specialties:
    • Rare peppers
    • Historic spice blends
    • Dried mushrooms


The true flavors of Paris aren’t found in tourist restaurants or guidebook recommendations—they live in these hidden markets, secret supper clubs, and ancient food shops where tradition meets innovation. These aren’t just places to eat; they’re gateways to understanding the soul of French gastronomy. As you explore these culinary secrets, you’re not just tasting food; you’re participating in the living history of one of the world’s great food cities. These hidden gems remind us that in Paris, the most memorable meals often happen in the most unexpected places.

Paris’ food scene is endless—whether you want buttery croissants, a perfect steak frites, or a secret wine bar, this city delivers.

Bon appétit!

Author

  • Faith combines anthropological expertise with lived experience across 40+ countries. With degrees in Anthropology and Women's Studies, she has spent four decades exploring the intersection of food traditions, women's history, and ancient cultures. Her work spans from Irish kitchens to Mexican markets, including collaborations with First Nations communities. Through her writing, she reveals how food traditions connect ancient wisdom to modern kitchens, with particular attention to women's roles as cultural custodians. A regular contributor to food and travel publications, she shares insights gained from deep immersion in local food traditions and historical landscapes. Based between Ireland, Canada, and various European locations, she brings both academic understanding and hands-on experience to her writing about food, culture, and heritage.

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