Where to Eat French Food in Paris
Thousands of people from all over the world travel to Paris to enjoy its traditional cuisine. The best eats from all over France meet in the country's capital, which is filled to the brim with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to gourmet street stalls.
Choosing where to eat, however, can be overwhelming for many travelers. Between touring famous food districts like St. Germain and exploring vast open-air markets, there are loads of places to experience classic fare. This brief guide will help you to fully enjoy your culinary tour of Paname to the fullest.
Bistro, Brasserie, or Boulangerie?
Your culinary tour itinerary should include all types of Parisian eateries, but what the heck is the difference between a brasserie and a bistro? Here are some basic restaurant terms to know when choosing where to grab lunch or dinner in the City of Light:
- Bistro: this intimate eatery will typically serve classic dishes along with delicious wine.
- Boulangerie: a boulangerie is a bakery dedicated to serving various types of breads. Occasionally, boulangeries in France may also serve pastries, coffee, or sandwiches, but most dedicated shops will sell only bread.
- Brasserie: these eateries are essentially pubs, and they'll serve drinks along with heartier fare like steak-frites. Some brasseries will also dabble in charcuterie, serving the best meats and cheeses that they have to offer paired with a great selection of vins.
- Cafe: cafes are fairly simple eateries that serve coffee along with light snacks or lunches. You can often find fare like croque-monsieurs here.
- Patisserie: this type of bakery specializes in pastries such as macarons, éclairs, and madelines.
What Else is There?
Other than these classic types of eateries, you can also get your fill of Parisian goodies at regular restaurants, markets, and shops. Paris has general eateries ranging from fine dining establishments serving French classics to new-age eateries serving only raw foods, and you can't forget the street stalls, which are a great place to grab a cheap and delicious crêpe.
You should also take the time to visit markets and specialty stores in Paname. Getting lost in an open-air market is both a quintessential Parisian experience and a great way to specialty cheese shops.
Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
The rule for getting the most out of your culinary adventures is simple: try everything. Go to a wide variety of eateries in different arrondissements, and look for where the locals go - they usually know where to find the best foods at the best prices. Taking a food tour is also a great way to sample as many Parisian delights as possible. During your tour, a local will take you to places where you can sample all kinds of traditional fare while pointing out hidden gems along the way.
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