The Most Popular Food in Paris – What to Eat Now

Paris is a city where food isn't just fuel; it's a way of life. You can't walk a block without encountering a boulangerie perfumed with fresh bread, a fromagerie stacked with wedges of something gloriously pungent, or a cafe where Parisians linger over meals like it's a competitive sport. The most popular food in Paris ranges from flaky pastries to rich, buttery sauces — each dish a small but essential part of the city's identity. If you're not eating your way through Paris, you're doing it wrong.

If there's one truth about French food, it's that the best of it migrates to Paris. A bowl of steaming onion soup, a crisp croissant that shatters upon impact, or a cheese so fragrant it practically introduces itself — all of it finds its way to the capital. Your mission? To taste as much as possible of the most popular food in Paris. Consider it your civic duty.

Paris Food & Wine Activities

A wine tasting in a Paris wine cellar, photo O Chateau

Food is central to Parisian life, and it should be to your visit as well. Eating your way through the city is only the beginning — why not roll up your sleeves and get involved? Sign up for a hands-on experience, whether it's baking baguettes in a charming kitchen, pairing wine with cheese like a pro, or trawling the city's best markets with an expert guide.

To make things easier, we've rounded up the top food and wine activities in Paris. They book up fast, so plan ahead unless you want to be staring longingly through a bakery window while someone else gets the last warm croissant. These hands-on experiences are the perfect way to dive into the city's vibrant food scene.

The 10 Best Pastries to Savor in Paris

3 luscious pastries from master chef Cyril Lignac, photo Cyril Lignac

Paris takes its pastries very, very seriously. A flaky croissant or a pain au chocolat is just the beginning. The city's pastry chefs treat sugar and butter like an artist treats paint — creating edible masterpieces like the airy, praline-filled Paris-Brest or the caramelized layers of a perfectly executed mille-feuille.

Need guidance? We've compiled a list of the ten best pastries in Paris. Try them all, and if you need an excuse, just say it's for research. It's what we do.

The Food Markets of Paris

Shopping at the Market on Rue Poncelet, photo by Mark Craft

Paris food markets are where chefs, grandmothers, and in-the-know visitors go to stock up on the freshest ingredients. The city has everything from sprawling open-air markets to historic covered halls, each one offering a feast for the senses. The tradition of food markets in France dates back to ancient times, and today they remain a cornerstone of French culinary life.

Our written guide takes you through the best markets in Paris, explaining what to buy, when to go, and how to shop like a local (hint: don't touch the produce unless invited). Markets offer the freshest, most vibrant produce and products, showcasing the very best of French fare.Ready to take on the ultimate food lover's scavenger hunt? Let's go.

Bread Winners – The Best Baguettes in Paris

A recent winner of The Best Baguette in Paris, photo Ville de Paris

The baguette is more than bread in Paris — it's a cultural institution. Every year, the city's best bakers battle for the Grand Prix de la Baguette, with the winner earning the honor of supplying the Ælysée Palace, home to the French president. But really, the best baguette is the one that's still warm from the oven, tucked under your arm as you wander the streets of Paris.

Where should you go for the best baguettes in Paris? We've got the lowdown on the bakeries that consistently turn out the best loaves, from crispy, golden-crusted perfection to rustic sourdough that's worth crossing town for.

The 10 Top Cheeses Of France

Chunks of Comte overflow on a cheese counter, photo by Mark Craft

With more than 1,200 varieties of cheese — and at least 56 proudly wearing the prestigious AOC label — French cheese is a world unto itself. There's a reason Charles de Gaulle famously complained about trying to govern a country with so many varieties. Paris is the perfect place to taste most of them, with fromageries stocked with everything from creamy brie to the famously funky Époisses.

Our guide breaks out the top ten French cheeses you need to try while in Paris. Whether you like your cheese mild, nutty, or aggressively barnyardy, there's one for you. Just don't ask for it to be served cold — this is Paris, not a supermarket dairy aisle.

The 10 Best Cheese Shops In Paris

A cheese seller displays a round of cheese, photo by Mark Craft

Now that you're in the know about France's finest cheeses, the next step is finding them! Thankfully, Paris is home to hundreds of dedicated fromageries, and we've handpicked the top ten cheese shops you won't want to miss. Each one is a treasure trove of France's best cheeses, offering quality and expertise you won't find just anywhere.

Is cheese the most popular food in Paris? Find out for yourself. By the way, most of them are run by women. No surprise there, really.

A Taste of Tradition at the Musée du Fromage

Musée du Fromage storefront, with a hay bail by the door, photo Musée du Fromage

Paris has no shortage of culinary wonders, and now cheese lovers have a dedicated space to celebrate France's most cherished dairy delight. The Musée du Fromage on Île Saint-Louis, takes visitors on a journey through the history, craftsmanship, and flavors of French cheese.

With interactive exhibits, live cheesemaking demonstrations, and expertly guided tastings, it's an experience that engages all the senses. Whether you're a connoisseur or simply curious, the Paris Cheese Museum is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates the art of a well-aged wheel of Comté or a perfectly ripened Camembert.

Guide to Paris Gourmet Food Stores

Caviar and salmon on display at Prunier in Paris

Caviar, foie gras, oysters, cheese, champagne, truffles — for many visitors to Paris, these French food specialties exert an irresistible pull to the City of Light. Paris isn't just about bistros and cafes — it's also home to some of the best gourmet food stores in the world. These temples of indulgence offer everything from buttery foie gras to delicate tins of caviar, not to mention a Champagne selection that'll make you want to celebrate every meal.

To get the biggest bite of French gourmet food, we've got your guide to the best gourmet food stores in Paris. Bring an appetite — and maybe an extra suitcase.

Eat Drink Paris – Top Parisian Culinary Tips

Oysters on a plate in Parisian restaurant L'Escargot, photo by Mark Craft

Paris isn't just a city — it's a lifestyle, and food is at the center of it all. Whether you're navigating a crowded boulangerie, deciphering a restaurant menu, or trying to blend in at a wine bar, a little insider knowledge goes a long way.

We've put together our top tips for eating and drinking like a Parisian. From knowing when (and when not) to order a café crème to understanding why your waiter isn't ignoring you (promise), this guide will help you enjoy Parisian food culture to the fullest.

The Aligre Market in the 12th Arrondissement

Produce stalls and food shops at the Aligre Market, photo by Mark Craft

Some markets in Paris are great for browsing, but if you want the full experience, head to the Aligre Market in the 12th Arrondissement. Here, open-air stalls overflow with just-picked produce, while the covered market houses butchers, fishmongers, and cheesemongers who've been perfecting their craft for generations. It's a source for all of the most popular food in Paris.

We'll take you through this lively market, sharing what to buy, where to go, and how to navigate the crowds. Bonus tip: bring a large shopping bag with you.

9 Foods Not To Miss At Your Local Epicerie

Hmmm, a can of Cassoulet au Canard at a favorite Parisian épicerie

Parisian épiceries (small grocery stores) are tiny but mighty, stocked with gourmet essentials that locals grab daily. These aren't merely your standard grocery stores, they offer up the most popular food in Paris — think jars of velvety duck confit, tins of sardines so pretty they belong in a museum, and vintage bottles of wine at shockingly reasonable prices.

We've rounded up nine must-try foods you can find at your local Parisian épicerie. Some are classics, some are surprises, but all are worth stuffing into your suitcase (or eating immediately).

Scoop Up the Best Paris Ice Cream

12 cups of ice cream in various colors, photo Fabien Foenix

In Paris ice cream isn't some gaudy-colored industrial product. It's made with the same skill and care and attention to flavors that goes into all the best French foods. Follow us to discover where to scoop up the best ice cream on the Right Bank and on the Left Bank and even on the Paris islands.

Iconic French Foods

Buttery croissants fresh out of the oven

As everyone knows, the food of France is word renowned, and justly so. No matter where it originates in the country, the best French foods make their way to Paris where the largest hungry population awaits.

So, it's worthwhile before you hop on the plane to learn a little bit about some of the fabulous foods you'll find that may not be all that common — or quite as good — back home.

Guides To Iconic French Foods

• French Cheese…	• Baguettes…
• Croissants…	• Caviar…
• French Butter…	• Oysters…
• Truffles…	• Beef, Poultry & Seafood…

Easy French Recipes to Make at Home

Individual Quiche Loraines with golden crust and bacon, photo by Mark Craft

With all this talk of French food, we bet you're craving it right now! The good news? You don't have to be in Paris to bring a taste of France to your table.

We've put together a collection of easy-to-make recipes that will transform your kitchen into a French bistro. From comforting stews to classic bistro favorites, these ten dishes are our go-to staples, and they'll soon be yours too.

Easy French Recipes to Make at Home

• Quiche Lorraine…	• Quiche Pastry Dough…
• Steak au Poivre…	• Coquilles Saint-Jacques…
• Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing…	• French Bread…
• Parisian Roast Chicken…	• Sole Meunière…
• A French Omelette…	• Duck Magret…

French Dessert Recipes You, Too, Can Make

Molleux, with its famed creamy chocolate center

The perfect ending to any French meal? A decadent French dessert, of course. While some of those restaurant creations may look intricate, many are surprisingly simple to make at home. We've selected four recipes from the most popular food in Paris that are sure to impress your guests. (Just don't let on how easy they are!) Get ready to create sweet Parisian magic in your own kitchen.

Four Fabulous French Desserts

• Crême Brûlée…	• French Chocolate Truffles…
• Profiteroles…	• Molleux – Chocolate Cakes…

The Most Popular Food In Paris

Paris is a feast, and the most popular food in Paris is waiting. Whether it's a wedge of camembert, a crispy galette, or a perfectly caramelized crème brûlée, every meal here is a reminder that in Paris, food isn't just something you eat — it's an experience. So grab a fork and dig in.