Discover Paris: Food and Drink Guide
Few cities take food as seriously — or as poetically — as Paris. Dining here isn’t just about eating; it’s about ritual, rhythm, and romance. From morning croissants at a corner café to candlelit dinners that stretch late into the night, Parisian food culture is a celebration of life’s simplest pleasures. Meals are savoured, not rushed. Coffee is an excuse to linger. Wine is a language of its own.
The city’s culinary landscape is layered like its history. On one street you’ll find century-old bistros where waiters still wear starched aprons and recite the menu from memory; on the next, minimalist wine bars and fusion kitchens rewriting the rules of French cuisine. Markets hum with the sound of locals bargaining for cheese and produce, while bakeries tempt with buttery viennoiseries stacked behind fogged glass.
To eat in Paris is to understand its soul — equal parts artistry and everyday comfort. Whether you’re sampling escargots beneath chandeliers or eating falafel in a sunlit square, the city invites you to slow down and taste the details. This guide explores the flavours that define Paris: its timeless dishes, patisseries, cafés, and culinary revolutions — everything you need to eat like a local in the world’s most delicious city.
Classic Parisian Dishes
Parisian cuisine is a love letter to tradition — simple ingredients transformed through time, care, and technique. These are the dishes that appear on chalkboard menus across the city, each telling its own story of the capital’s culinary heritage. From the humble onion soup to the refined duck confit, Paris’s classics are comfort food elevated to an art form.
French Onion Soup (Soupe à l’Oignon Gratinée)
Born from the city’s old market halls at Les Halles, onion soup was once the dish of night workers and travellers — hearty, cheap, and warming. Today, it’s pure nostalgia: caramelised onions simmered in beef stock, topped with bubbling Gruyère and toasted bread. The best versions balance sweetness and savour, best enjoyed on a cool evening at a bistro like Au Pied de Cochon, where it’s been ladled since 1947.
Duck Confit (Confit de Canard)
A dish from southwestern France that found eternal fame in Parisian brasseries. Slow-cooked duck leg, crisp on the outside and tender within, usually served with potatoes sautéed in its own fat — proof that simplicity can be sublime. Try it at Chez Dumonet – Josephine, a Left Bank institution that still feels suspended in time.
Steak Frites
The ultimate Parisian staple — grilled steak served with golden fries and a dollop of mustard or peppercorn sauce. Its charm lies in the details: perfectly cooked meat, crisp pommes frites, and a glass of red wine on the side. Le Relais de l’Entrecôte has perfected the ritual — one dish, one sauce, no decisions required.
Croque Monsieur (and Madame)
The Parisian café classic. A croque monsieur is a toasted ham and cheese sandwich baked with béchamel; the “madame” version adds a fried egg on top. It’s the definition of Parisian comfort food — ideal for lazy lunches or post-museum hunger pangs. Café de Flore still serves one of the most iconic versions in the city.
Escargots de Bourgogne
Snails might raise eyebrows abroad, but in Paris they’re a delicacy. Served in shells with garlic butter and parsley, they’re rich, fragrant, and surprisingly addictive. The tradition is centuries old, a holdover from royal tables and festive feasts. For the real deal, order them at L’Escargot Montorgueil, a restaurant that’s been serving them since 1832.
Crème Brûlée
A dessert that captures the Parisian balance of elegance and indulgence. Its silky custard and caramelised sugar crust are the perfect finale to any meal. Though its origins are debated, its mastery belongs to French hands. Le Procope, the city’s oldest café, serves a version that’s as classic as its history.
Additional Favourites
Don’t miss Boeuf Bourguignon, rich with red wine and herbs, or Coq au Vin, the ultimate comfort dish. And for something sweet, Tarte Tatin and Île Flottante (floating island meringue) showcase how the French turn simplicity into poetry.
Bistros and Brasseries
If Paris has a soul, you’ll find it at the bistro table — a glass of red wine in hand, the low hum of conversation around you, and the smell of butter and shallots drifting from the kitchen. These neighbourhood fixtures are the backbone of Parisian life, bridging the gap between home cooking and haute cuisine.
Bistros began as small, family-run eateries serving hearty, affordable dishes to locals — think stews, roasts, and a chalkboard of seasonal plates. Brasseries, originally from Alsace, evolved into grander institutions known for all-day service, crisp linen, and seafood platters piled high with oysters and langoustines. Together, they define how Parisians eat: unhurriedly, convivially, and always with flair.
Classic Bistros to Experience
Bistrot Paul Bert (11th Arr.) – An old-school gem where the steak frites and chocolate soufflé are legendary. Expect tightly packed tables, vintage mirrors, and perfect Parisian atmosphere. Around €45 (£38 / $48) per person.
Chez Georges (2nd Arr.) – Straight from another era, this bistro hasn’t changed much in 50 years — which is exactly why it’s adored. Order the sole meunière and a carafe of Burgundy.
Le Comptoir du Relais (6th Arr.) – A Left Bank institution that redefines the art of the bistro with refined takes on traditional dishes. Go early or queue — it’s worth it.
Grand Brasseries to Savour
Bouillon Chartier (9th Arr.) – Perhaps the most famous of all Paris brasseries. Founded in 1896, it still offers classic dishes at affordable prices in a magnificent Belle Époque dining room. Mains from €12 (£10 / $13).
Brasserie Lipp (6th Arr.) – A timeless haunt of writers and politicians, serving Alsatian choucroute and boudin noir under Art Deco lamps.
La Coupole (Montparnasse) – The epitome of 1920s glamour. Once frequented by Picasso and Sartre, it still impresses with its seafood towers and jazz-age décor.
Modern Twists on the Tradition
A new generation of chefs is breathing fresh life into the bistro scene — smaller menus, lighter sauces, sustainable produce, and natural wines. Try Septime La Cave for wine and small plates, or Le Servan, where French technique meets Asian influences. This evolution keeps Paris’s dining culture alive — rooted in tradition but always moving forward.
Etiquette and Tips
Lunch service usually runs from 12:00–14:30, dinner from 19:00–22:30.
Many bistros offer a fixed-price formule or menu du jour, often excellent value.
Tipping isn’t obligatory (service is included), but rounding up a few euros is always appreciated.
Always greet your waiter with Bonjour before ordering — it sets the tone for good service.
Cafés and Coffee Culture
The Paris café is more than a place to drink coffee — it’s a theatre of everyday life. Mornings hum with quiet rituals: regulars reading Le Monde, waiters balancing silver trays, and sunlight filtering through the awnings. By afternoon, the tempo shifts — friends chat over carafes of wine, couples linger long after dessert, and artists fill notebooks with ideas. Cafés are the city’s living rooms, open to everyone and rarely in a hurry.
This culture dates back centuries, to the days when Voltaire debated at Café Procope and revolutionaries plotted at Café de Foy. Today, the café remains sacred to Parisian identity — a place to pause, observe, and feel part of the city’s rhythm.
Iconic Parisian Cafés
Café de Flore (Saint-Germain-des-Prés) – Perhaps the most famous café in Paris, once frequented by Sartre, Picasso, and de Beauvoir. Order a café crème and sit outside — it’s not cheap, but it’s pure atmosphere.
Les Deux Magots (Boulevard Saint-Germain) – Another historic rival of Flore, its green awnings have sheltered intellectuals and artists for generations.
Le Select (Montparnasse) – A 1920s institution beloved by Hemingway and Fitzgerald, still buzzing with literary nostalgia.
New-Wave Coffee Spots
In the past decade, Paris has embraced a third-wave coffee renaissance — lighter roasts, artisanal beans, and minimalist cafés.
Coutume Café (7th Arr.) – One of the pioneers, serving meticulously brewed flat whites and filter coffee.
Fringe (3rd Arr.) – A design-driven café blending Nordic and Parisian aesthetics, popular with creatives.
Ten Belles (Canal Saint-Martin) – A cosy hangout that helped shape the modern Paris coffee scene.
What to Know
Ordering “un café” means an espresso. Ask for café allongé if you want something longer, or café crème for a milky version.
Most locals drink standing at the bar in the morning — cheaper and faster. Sitting at a terrace costs more, but that’s part of the experience.
Don’t rush. It’s perfectly acceptable to sit with one drink for an hour or more — cafés are about presence, not pace.
Markets and Street Food
Behind Paris’s polished façade lies a city that eats with both hands. Markets here aren’t just places to shop — they’re community rituals, where butchers know your name, bakers greet you with a smile, and cheesemongers tempt you into “just one more sample.” From fragrant open-air markets to hidden food halls, these spaces are where Parisians connect with the rhythm of the seasons and the simple joy of good produce.
Street food, once rare in the capital, has evolved too. Today you’ll find crêpe stands beside falafel queues, gourmet food trucks parked under bridges, and markets that hum with global influences — a modern reflection of the city’s diversity.
Must-Visit Markets
Marché des Enfants Rouges (Le Marais) – The oldest covered market in Paris, dating back to 1615. Its food stalls serve everything from Moroccan tagines to Japanese bento and fresh oysters — a true snapshot of Paris’s cosmopolitan palate.
Marché Bastille (11th Arr.) – A vibrant open-air market held Thursdays and Sundays, famous for its produce, cheese, and fresh flowers. Get there early to see the locals shopping for their weekend feasts.
Marché d’Aligre (12th Arr.) – Part farmers’ market, part flea market, part neighbourhood gathering spot. It’s loud, chaotic, and completely authentic — the kind of place where you leave with cheese you didn’t plan to buy.
Marché Raspail (6th Arr.) – One of the city’s most upscale organic markets, perfect for browsing gourmet ingredients and biodynamic wines.
Street Food Favourites
Falafel on Rue des Rosiers (Le Marais) – A Parisian classic. The queues outside L’As du Fallafel say it all — crisp chickpea fritters, creamy tahini, and pickled cabbage wrapped in warm pita. Around €10 (£8.50 / $11).
Crêpes from Breizh Café (Multiple Locations) – Brittany’s most famous export, elevated to an art form with buckwheat galettes and inventive toppings.
Sandwich Jambon-Beurre – The Parisian lunch staple: simple baguette, salted butter, and ham. Best picked up from a corner boulangerie and enjoyed on a park bench.
Food Trucks and Street Markets – Keep an eye out for rotating vendors at Le Marché Pop or Ground Control, serving everything from Vietnamese bao to gourmet burgers.
Insider Tips
Markets typically open early (8 a.m.) and close by lunchtime — mornings are best for atmosphere and freshness.
Bring cash — not all stalls accept cards.
Sampling is part of the fun, but always ask politely (“Je peux goûter, s’il vous plaît ?”).
If you’re picnicking, pair your market haul with a bottle of wine from a caviste (wine shop) — the unofficial Parisian tradition.
Patisseries and Bakeries
In Paris, pastry isn’t just dessert — it’s an art form. Every arrondissement has its own beloved boulangerie-pâtisserie, where locals queue for the day’s bread and delicate sweets that look almost too beautiful to eat. The scent of fresh butter, warm brioche, and caramelised sugar drifts through the streets from dawn until evening, a quiet symphony that defines daily life.
Whether you’re biting into a flaky croissant, marvelling at the precision of a Pierre Hermé macaron, or discovering a hidden neighbourhood bakery, Parisian patisserie is about balance: richness without excess, beauty grounded in simplicity.
Must-Try Classics
Croissant – Light, layered, and flaky perfection. Parisians judge their neighbourhood boulangerie by it. Try Du Pain et des Idées (10th Arr.), where the croissants and escargot pistache chocolat have cult status.
Éclair au Chocolat – A staple of every bakery counter, filled with glossy chocolate cream and topped with ganache. Stohrer (Rue Montorgueil), the city’s oldest patisserie (founded 1730), still makes one of the best.
Macarons – Tiny, jewel-toned confections with crisp shells and soft centres. Pierre Hermé is considered the master, while Ladurée remains the quintessential Parisian experience.
Tarte Citron – Bright, sharp, and buttery. The lemon tart is simplicity perfected, best sampled at Bontemps Pâtisserie, whose sablé crusts are unforgettable.
Pain au Chocolat – The breakfast essential, best enjoyed warm from the oven with a café crème. Locals often debate whether it should be called chocolatine — but in Paris, it’s pain au chocolat, always.
Hidden Sweet Spots
Carl Marletti (5th Arr.) – A modern pastry genius, known for inventive reimaginings of Parisian classics like the Saint-Honoré.
La Pâtisserie des Rêves (7th Arr.) – Translating as “The Pastry of Dreams,” this whimsical shop treats desserts as works of edible sculpture.
Ble Sucré (12th Arr.) – Beloved by locals for perfect madeleines and buttery kouign-amann — a hidden gem without the tourist queues.
Poilâne (6th Arr.) – More bakery than patisserie, but its iconic round sourdough loaves and apple tarts are Paris legends.
Bakeries to Know
Liberté (Canal Saint-Martin) – Industrial-chic bakery where tradition meets style — their baguettes are among the best in the city.
Maison Landemaine (Multiple Locations) – A reliable neighbourhood chain for quality bread and pastries made with organic flour.
Le Grenier à Pain (Montmartre) – Award-winning baguettes and buttery viennoiseries worth the climb uphill.
Sweet Tips
Many bakeries close on Mondays — check before you go.
The best time to visit is early morning, when pastries are fresh from the oven.
Parisians rarely eat pastries on the go — find a bench or café terrace and enjoy slowly.
Wine Bars and Nightlife
When the sun sets, Paris exhales. The city transforms from cafés and patisseries into a constellation of glowing bars, candlelit bistros, and music-filled cellars. Wine is at the centre of it all — not as a luxury, but as a language. Whether you’re sipping a glass of Beaujolais at a corner bar or discovering biodynamic vintages in a tucked-away cave à vin, Paris by night is a celebration of taste, mood, and conversation.
Apéro hour — short for apéritif — is sacred. From around 6 p.m., friends gather over cheese boards, olives, and wine to mark the transition between day and night. It’s not about getting drunk, but about pausing — to talk, to unwind, to enjoy. This slow ritual defines Parisian nightlife, setting the tone for evenings that stretch effortlessly into the small hours.
Essential Wine Bars
Le Baron Rouge (12th Arr.) – The quintessential Parisian wine bar, where locals fill their glasses straight from the barrel. Sundays see crowds spilling onto the street, shucking oysters and laughing over rosé.
Septime La Cave (11th Arr.) – The stylish younger sibling of the Michelin-starred Septime, offering natural wines, small plates, and an intimate buzz.
Frenchie Bar à Vins (2nd Arr.) – A favourite among food lovers, serving inventive sharing dishes and curated wines from across France. Arrive early — it’s walk-in only.
Juveniles (1st Arr.) – Half wine bar, half bistro, this family-run gem serves seasonal small plates and a brilliant selection of Rhône and Burgundy bottles.
Where to Go After Dark
Le Comptoir Général (Canal Saint-Martin) – Part bar, part cultural hub, filled with vintage décor, cocktails, and a lively, inclusive crowd.
Rosa Bonheur (Parc des Buttes-Chaumont) – A beloved guinguette-style bar where locals dance outdoors with panoramic park views.
Experimental Cocktail Club (Montorgueil) – Pioneering Paris’s craft cocktail scene, hidden behind an unmarked door.
Favela Chic (Oberkampf) – A Brazilian-inspired bar and restaurant with a colourful, late-night vibe and eclectic playlist.
Local Drinking Customs
Apéro – Always accompanied by small bites — charcuterie, cheese, or tapenade.
Wine by the Glass – Most bars serve a rotating selection; ask for recommendations based on taste (“sec” for dry, “fruité” for fruity).
Nightlife Hours – Wine bars close around midnight, but cocktail spots and clubs often stay open until 2 a.m. or later.
Tipping – As in restaurants, service is included, but rounding up a euro or two is appreciated.
Budget Tip
A good glass of wine at a neighbourhood bar can cost as little as €5 (£4.25 / $5.30) — proof that the best Parisian pleasures don’t need to be expensive.
Modern Dining and Michelin Stars
Paris may be steeped in culinary tradition, but its kitchens are anything but static. Over the past two decades, a new generation of chefs has reshaped the city’s food scene — favouring local produce, global inspiration, and a focus on sustainability over ceremony. The result is a vibrant dining culture that bridges old and new: dishes rooted in classic technique but presented with a fresh, creative edge.
You’ll find Michelin-starred tasting menus served in minimalist spaces, fusion bistros challenging expectations, and neighbourhood restaurants where natural wines and seasonal vegetables take centre stage. Dining in modern Paris isn’t about prestige — it’s about curiosity, emotion, and craftsmanship.
Michelin Stars and Icons
Septime (11th Arr.) – One Michelin star, but pure Parisian cool. Chef Bertrand Grébaut’s menus highlight seasonal ingredients in ways that feel both earthy and elegant. Dinner tasting menu around €135 (£115 / $145).
Le Chateaubriand (11th Arr.) – Consistently ranked among the world’s best. Expect experimental, ever-changing tasting menus that blend French precision with global flair. Around €95 (£80 / $100).
Arpège (7th Arr.) – Alain Passard’s legendary three-star restaurant built around vegetables from his own gardens — a pioneering temple of plant-based haute cuisine. Tasting menu from €420 (£355 / $445).
Pierre Gagnaire (8th Arr.) – A name synonymous with innovation, offering artful, emotion-driven fine dining that pushes culinary boundaries. From €340 (£290 / $360).
Modern Bistros and New Wave Dining
Frenchie (2nd Arr.) – Gregory Marchand’s globally inspired bistro where French technique meets London energy. The daily menu showcases creative pairings and small plates, around €85 (£72 / $90).
Le Servan (11th Arr.) – Sisters Tatiana and Katia Levha reinterpret French classics with Asian influences — think soy-glazed duck or citrus-infused crème caramel.
Clamato (11th Arr.) – Septime’s seafood-focused sibling, with small plates, natural wine, and a lively open kitchen.
Kitchen Ter(re) – A reflection of Paris’s sustainable dining wave, focused on organic grains, local farms, and thoughtful sourcing.
The Rise of Natural Wine and Sustainability
Paris has embraced the natural wine movement like few other cities. Many of its trendiest restaurants now double as wine bars, serving unfiltered, low-intervention bottles that pair beautifully with seasonal menus. Sustainability has also moved from buzzword to philosophy — more chefs now visit local farms, reduce waste, and celebrate simplicity.
Dining Smart
Book ahead — top spots like Septime and Frenchie release reservations weeks in advance.
Many Michelin-starred restaurants offer lunch menus at a fraction of dinner prices.
Don’t overlook the bistronomie movement — mid-range bistros run by haute-trained chefs offering creative cooking without the formality.
“To eat in Paris is to understand its heartbeat. Every meal — whether a croissant grabbed from a corner bakery or a twelve-course tasting beneath crystal chandeliers — tells part of the city’s story. Food here is not a luxury; it’s a language. It speaks of craftsmanship passed through generations, of mornings scented with butter and coffee, of laughter echoing across candlelit tables on quiet side streets.
What makes Paris extraordinary isn’t only the excellence of its cuisine, but the way it invites you to savour. Meals are moments, not checklists. A glass of wine becomes a pause between hours; dessert, an excuse to stay a little longer. In a city obsessed with beauty, even the simplest sandwich feels intentional — a small act of pleasure wrapped in paper.
Whether you’re tasting escargots at a century-old brasserie, sharing a bottle of Beaujolais along the canal, or discovering the next generation of chefs redefining French cuisine, Paris reminds you that food is memory made tangible. It’s art you can taste. And as every Parisian knows, the best meals aren’t rushed — they unfold, like the city itself, one delicious moment at a time.”
