What to Eat in Paris: 20 French Foods to Try (and Where to Find the Good Ones)

Imagine sitting at a small café table on a cobblestone street, coffee in hand, watching the city wake up around you — and then a warm, buttery croissant arrives. That’s Paris in one bite. If you’re wondering what to eat in Paris, the short answer is: almost everything. French cuisine is one of the most celebrated in the world for good reason, and this city delivers it at every price point, from a €1.20 baguette at the corner boulangerie to a multi-course tasting menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant in the 8th arrondissement.

The Classic French Foods You Absolutely Must Try

Let’s start with the icons. A croissant from any decent boulangerie will cost you around €1.50 to €2, and the difference between a great one and a mediocre one is enormous. Look for ones that are deeply golden, visibly layered, and shattering when you bite in. Some locals swear by Du Pain et des Idées in the 10th arrondissement — their croissants are legendary among Parisians and visitors alike.

Steak frites is another dish you can’t skip. It sounds simple, but Paris elevates it to an art form. A generous entrecôte (ribeye) with golden, thin-cut fries typically runs €20 to €35 at a classic brasserie. Le Relais de l’Entrecôte near Saint-Germain-des-Prés doesn’t even give you a menu — you get the steak, the fries, and their secret walnut sauce. That’s it. And it’s brilliant.

Soupe à l’oignon, the deeply savory French onion soup topped with a crouton and melted Gruyère, is perfect for a chilly afternoon. You’ll find it at most traditional bistros for around €10 to €14. And don’t overlook escargot — snails cooked in garlic herb butter. They taste far better than they sound, and ordering them is a genuinely fun experience.

One thing most visitors miss is the radis beurre — literally radishes with salted butter and bread. It’s a traditional French appetizer, light and refreshing, and an affordable way to start a meal. Simple, surprising, and completely delicious.

Where to Eat in Paris Without Blowing Your Budget

Eating well in Paris doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. A “formule” lunch — typically a starter, main, and dessert, or main plus one — usually costs €14 to €20 at a neighborhood bistro. Many restaurants offer better value at lunch than dinner, so plan your bigger meals for midday. For visitors from the UAE, that works out to roughly AED 50 to 75 for a satisfying sit-down meal.

The covered food markets, or marchés couverts, are incredible for grazing. Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Marais (Paris’s oldest covered market, dating to 1615) has stalls offering Moroccan tagines, Japanese bento, Lebanese wraps, and classic French cheese plates. It’s one of the best spots for a casual lunch under €12. For more inspiration on European food scenes, check out our guide to best food markets in Europe.

Boulangeries also double as budget lifesavers. A jambon-beurre — ham and salted butter on a baguette — is a French staple that costs €4 to €6 and is genuinely satisfying. Pair it with a small bottle of sparkling water and eat it on a bench by the Seine. That’s not roughing it. That’s living like a Parisian.

The Cheese, Wine, and Pastry Situation (It’s Serious)

France produces over 1,200 types of cheese, and Paris is where you go to explore them. A good fromagerie will let you taste before you buy — head to Fromagerie Laurent Dubois near the Marché d’Aligre in the 12th. Ask for a mild Comté alongside a creamy Camembert and something funky like Époisses if you’re feeling adventurous. A generous tasting selection with accompaniments costs around €15 to €25.

Wine at a Parisian café is affordable by European standards — a glass of house red or white typically runs €5 to €8. If you want to explore more seriously, wine bars like Le Baron Rouge near Place de la Bastille let you taste regional bottles from €4 a glass in a relaxed, standing-around-barrels kind of atmosphere. It’s one of those spots that feels like you’ve actually found a secret.

Pastries deserve their own conversation. Beyond the croissant, you need to try a Paris-Brest (choux pastry with praline cream), a tarte Tatin (upside-down caramelized apple tart), and at least one éclair. Ladurée on the Champs-Élysées is famous for macarons, but honestly, most neighborhood pâtisseries make just as good — often better — versions for a fraction of the price. For more ideas on making the most of your time in the city, explore our guide to romantic things to do in Paris.

Practical Tips for Eating Well in Paris

A few things to know before you sit down at your first French restaurant:

• Lunch is king. Most serious restaurants offer better prix-fixe deals at lunch. Book ahead for popular spots — even bistros fill up fast.
• Ask for the formule. Many restaurants don’t advertise their lunch deal loudly. Just ask “Vous avez une formule?” and you’ll often unlock a better deal than the à la carte menu.
• Water is free. Ask for “une carafe d’eau” and you’ll get a jug of tap water at no charge. Ordered bottled water will appear on your bill.
• Tipping is not mandatory in France — service is included in the price — but rounding up or leaving a few euros is appreciated and common.
• Reservations matter. Top bistros and restaurants book up fast. Use their websites or apps like TheFork to reserve a few days in advance.
• Avoid the tourist traps around Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Walk one or two streets away and you’ll find better food at better prices.
• Cheese before dessert. In France, the cheese course comes before dessert, not after. Go with it — it makes sense once you try it.

Paris is also an incredibly walkable city, and strolling between neighbourhoods — say, from Le Marais to Saint-Germain-des-Prés — means you’ll stumble across boulangeries, fromageries, and wine shops naturally. That spontaneity is part of the experience. For full trip planning help, you might also find our Paris destination guide useful before you go.

Best Time to Visit Paris for Food Lovers

Paris rewards food lovers year-round, but autumn (September to November) is particularly special. The markets overflow with seasonal produce — wild mushrooms, chestnuts, game meats, and the new Beaujolais Nouveau wine arrives in November. Temperatures are cool and pleasant, and the city is less crowded than summer. It’s genuinely one of the best times to eat your way through the city.

Spring (April to June) is another favourite. Asparagus season is a big deal in France — you’ll see it on menus everywhere — and the outdoor terraces open up, making al fresco dining in the warm evening air feel magical. For travellers from the UAE, this is also a good window to escape the Gulf summer heat before it kicks in. Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Paris CDG in around 7.5 hours. For a broader look at European hidden gems worth combining with a Paris trip, see our hidden gems in Europe guide.

For official information on visiting France, the official France tourism website is a great starting point. And for visa requirements, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has up-to-date entry information for all passport holders — most Tier 1 country visitors get visa-free access to France as part of the Schengen zone.

Ready to plan your culinary adventure? Use our AI trip planner to build a personalised Paris itinerary — including the best restaurants, markets, and food experiences — in minutes. Whether you’re a first-timer or returning for the food alone (which is completely valid), Paris will not let you down at the table.

Frequently Asked Questions About What to Eat in Paris

What is the most iconic food to eat in Paris?

The croissant is arguably the most iconic Parisian food. A freshly baked croissant from a quality boulangerie — golden, flaky, and buttery — is an experience that’s hard to replicate anywhere else. Beyond that, steak frites, French onion soup, escargot, and a selection of local cheeses are all essential Paris food experiences.

How much should I budget for food in Paris per day?

You can eat well on around $50 to $80 USD per day (roughly AED 185 to 295), covering a boulangerie breakfast, a formule lunch at a bistro, and a mid-range dinner. If you’re happy eating a baguette sandwich for lunch and saving your budget for one nice dinner, $35 to $50 USD (AED 130 to 185) is very doable. Fine dining starts at around €80 to €150 per person for a full tasting menu.

Are there good food options in Paris for vegetarians?

Vegetarian dining in Paris has improved significantly in recent years. Areas like Le Marais and the Canal Saint-Martin neighbourhood have a growing number of plant-based and vegetarian restaurants. Traditional French menus can be meat-heavy, but most bistros offer vegetarian starters and sides, and cheese, bread, and pastries are naturally vegetarian. Richer veggie options include soupe à l’oignon (check it’s made without meat stock), ratatouille, and gougères (cheese puffs).