Alternative Paris: Paris Must Eats; Famous Foods in Paris
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Explore Paris by taking your taste buds on a delightful adventure through traditional French culinary dishes. These famous foods in Paris will complete you journey to the culinary capital of the world.
This post is part of our Alternative Paris Series, your go-to source for discovering off-the-beaten-path Parisian experiences.
Continuing with our delectable topic of cuisine, let's delve into a culinary journey that promises to elevate your visit. Paris, hailed as one of the globe's foremost havens for food enthusiasts, consistently delivers memorable dining experiences. Here, subpar meals are a rarity. To tantalize the palates of the most discerning gastronomes and those with an adventurous appetite, we've curated a list of must-try culinary delights in Paris. Embark on a journey to find the best meal in Paris.
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Famous Foods in Paris - Tête de Veau
A classic among famous foods in Paris, tête de veau pairs tender braised calf’s head with bright sauce gribiche for a rich, old-school bite. Order it if you’re checking off Paris must eats and want something deeply traditional you won’t find everywhere at home.
Try it Here: Benoit
Address: 20 Rue Saint-Martin, 75004 Paris, France
Map: Google Maps
Tête de Veau, or calf's head, is a dish rooted deeply in French culinary history. The meat is slowly braised until tender, often served with a sauce gribiche (a type of cold egg sauce). It's a dish of rich textures and flavors. This famous food in Paris is often enjoyed on special occasions.
Famous Foods in Paris - Pot-au-Feu
This slow-simmered beef-and-vegetable stew is comfort food royalty and one of the famous French foods in Paris worth planning a meal around. It’s a must eat in Paris for cold days, with broth you’ll want to ladle into your bowl and meat that falls apart on the fork.
Pot-au-Feu is a traditional French-boiled dinner. Various cuts of beef and sometimes chicken, alongside marrow bones, root vegetables, and leeks, are slowly simmered together. The result is a flavorful broth and tender meat, often served with coarse salt and pickles.
Famous Foods in Paris - Boudin Noir
Pan-seared until the casing snaps, this black pudding delivers earthy depth and silky texture that earns its spot on lists of the best eats in Paris. If you’re after must-try foods in Paris, pair it with apples or mash and you’ll see why locals swear by it.
Try it Here: Le Sâotico
Address: 96 Rue de Richelieu, 75002 Paris
Map: Google Maps
Boudin Noir is a type of blood sausage. Made from pork blood, pork fat, and fillers like grains, it has a soft texture and a rich, earthy flavor. It's often pan-fried until the skin is crispy and served with apples or mashed potatoes. It’s also known as black pudding. It is one of the most famous foods in Paris.
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Famous Foods in Paris - Chitterling Sausage (Tripes à la mode de Caen)
For adventurous eaters, chitterling sausage (tripes à la mode de Caen) is nose-to-tail cooking at its most flavorful, slow-cooked with cider and spice. Put it on your must try foods in Paris list if you love bold, heritage dishes done right.
Try it Here: Le Petit Vendôme
Address: 8 Rue des Capucines, 75002 Paris
Map: Google Maps
This one is for the bravest of eaters. Chitterlings, or pig's intestines, are cleaned, braised, and then used to make a sausage. In the Normandy style, they're slowly cooked with cider and calvados, resulting in a flavorful and aromatic dish. It's an old recipe that showcases the French approach to nose-to-tail eating. This notorious dish is for the brave and bold eaters, those not afraid to try one of the most classic and famous food in Paris.
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Famous Foods in Paris - Rillettes
Spreadable, slow-cooked meat on warm bread—rillettes is the kind of snack that makes budget eats in Paris feel luxurious. It’s one of the best eats Paris offers for a quick glass-of-wine moment between sights.
Try it Here: Cul de Cochon
Address: 32 Rue de Buci, 75006 Paris (plus other locations)
Map: Google Maps
Rillettes are a preparation of meat similar to pâté but with a more rustic texture. Meat (commonly pork, but also duck or rabbit) is slowly cooked in its own fat, then shredded and stored in some of that fat. It's spread on bread and offers a rich, meaty flavor without being overly heavy. This popular Paris food is one to seek out.
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Famous Foods in Paris - Gratin dauphinois
Thin-sliced potatoes baked low and slow in cream make this side dish a quiet star among famous foods of Paris. It’s simple, indulgent, and a smart pick when you want cheap Paris eats that still feel special.
Try it Here: Chez Gabrielle
Address: 7 Rue de l'Étoile, 75017 Paris
Map: Google Maps
A dish from the Dauphiné region, Gratin dauphinois is made from thinly sliced and layered potatoes and cream, cooked slowly in a buttered dish until tender. Unlike many potato dishes, it traditionally contains no cheese. It's creamy, comforting, and a beloved side dish in many Parisian homes. Try it as you search for the best meal in Paris.
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Famous Foods in Paris - Quenelle
Light, oval dumplings—often fish—served with silky Nantua sauce put this Lyon favorite on the map of famous foods in Paris France. Add it to your must eat foods in Paris list if you appreciate classic technique and airy textures.
Try it Here: Aux Lyonnais
Address: 32 Rue Saint-Marc, 75002 Paris
Map: Google Maps
Quenelles are dumplings, most commonly made with fish. The mixture, which often includes butter, breadcrumbs, and egg, is shaped into ovals and poached. In Paris, they're often served with Nantua sauce, a creamy concoction made with crayfish.
Famous Foods in Paris - Pieds paquets
Stuffed tripe and lamb’s feet braised with wine and tomatoes bring Provençal comfort to Paris tables. It’s a Paris must eats choice for diners who chase regional French flavors without leaving the city.
Try it Here: Le Quincy
Address: 28 Avenue Ledru-Rollin, 75012 Paris
Map: Google Maps
Originating from Marseille, Pieds paquets is a dish made of lamb's tripe and feet. The tripe is stuffed with parsley, garlic, and bacon, then slowly stewed with white wine and tomatoes. The result is a dish full of different textures and flavors, a true celebration of traditional Provençal cooking.
Famous Foods in Paris - Flamiche
This Northern France leek tart is buttery, savory, and perfect with a crisp salad—an easy win among the best eats in Paris. When you’re craving something satisfying but not heavy, flamiche is a must-try that fits any itinerary.
Try it Here: Le Galibot
Address: 17 Rue Paul Lelong, 75002 Paris, France
Map: Google Maps
Flamiche is a savory tart, similar to quiche, originating from northern France. Its main ingredient is leeks, which are softened in butter before being added to a creamy filling. It's a rich and flavorful dish that pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad. Its one of the best eats in Paris.
