Make sure that Paris boasts a culinary scene as dynamic as the city itself. From neighborhood bistros serving beloved French classics to inventive pastry shops putting a modern spin on tradition, eating in the City of Light is as much about honoring the past as it is about embracing a rich, multicultural tapestry of flavors and influences.
With so much on offer, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to what to eat in Paris. This guide will help you navigate the city’s rich, ever-evolving food culture and make sure you don’t miss any of its most delicious highlights.
Want to experience it firsthand? Join our Ultimate Paris Food Tour and spend the day eating your way through one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods: Le Marais.
Over the course of 8 delicious stops, you’ll discover a different side of Paris’s diverse food scene. Enjoy 11 carefully curated tastings that showcase the city’s multifaceted culinary repertoire.
Baked Goods
To start the day like a true Parisian, head to a boulangerie—a traditional bakery where you can try savory staples like baguettes and fougasse or sweet delicacies like pain Suisse or caramelized kouign-amann.
On our Ultimate Paris Food Tour, we start off classic. We enjoy warm, flaky croissants and pain au chocolat at a beloved neighborhood boulangerie. One family helped revive breadmaking in Paris at this spot.
Here, you’ll not only learn about the craftsmanship behind French bread, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, but also meet the bakers who revolutionized the local scene.
Pâtisseries
Continue exploring Parisian baking at a pâtisserie—where the art of French baking continues to shine. These pastry shops, like boulangeries, serve viennoiseries, but also more elaborate sweets like cream-filled éclairs, caramelized apple tarte tatins, and buttery financiers.
On tour, we explore two distinct takes on Parisian pâtisserie culture. You’ll try the timeless tradition of macarons—those iconic pastel-hued treats filled with ganache or jam—and the inventive creations of a French-Syrian pastry chef. His signature “nests” are crispy pastries spun with nuts and honey. They blend diverse cultural influences into a single, delicious bite.
Insider Tip: If you’re a pastry cream lover, opt for chou à la crème, a tender puff filled with rich pastry cream.
Chocolate
Home to some of the world’s finest chocolatiers since the 17th century, Paris offers everything from silky ganache and delicate pralines, to nutty mendiants, or fruity orangettes. Paris also hosts the Salon du Chocolat, one of the most important chocolate events in the world.
On our Ultimate Paris Food Tour, you’ll have the chance to taste creations from one of the city’s most celebrated chocolatiers in Le Marais. This master craftsman has held the prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier de France title since 1986. His handcrafted confections continue to set the standard for excellence.
Insider Tip: For a historic take, indulge your sweet tooth at À la Mère de Famille, Paris’ oldest chocolate shop. It was founded in 1761.
Market Cuisine
Markets are one of the best places to understand Paris’s culinary landscape—both its deep-rooted traditions and its ever-evolving tastes. Food here is never static. It not only shifts with the seasons, but also migrations and cultural trends that continue to shape the city.
You might stroll past rows of rustic pâtés and terrines only to arrive at stands serving fragrant Vietnamese pho or spiced Algerian couscous. Markets like Marché Bastille and Marché d’Aligre showcase this diverse blend of products and preparations. They offer a delicious snapshot of Paris’s ever-evolving palate.
On our Ultimate Paris Food Tour, we head to the oldest covered market in Paris. Here, we meet a beloved local crêpe-maker to taste his msemen—a Moroccan crêpe made from semolina and vegetables that’s packed with flavor and spice.
Bistro Fare
No trip to Paris is complete without experiencing traditional bistro fare. At these neighborhood spots, you’ll find hearty, comforting dishes that are deeply rooted in French culinary tradition.
On tour, we savor classics like rich French onion soup with its caramelized onions and melted cheese. We enjoy flaky quiche filled with fresh savory fillings or tender beef bourguignon slow-cooked in red wine.
Some other must-try bistro dishes include:
- Steak Frites – A tender pan-seared steak, often topped with herb butter or sauce, served alongside golden, crispy fries
- Croque Madame – A ham and melted cheese sandwich crowned with béchamel and a runny fried egg
- Coq au Vin – A slow-cooked chicken dish in red wine with mushrooms, pearl onions, and smoky lardons
Cheese and Wine
Fromage is a cornerstone of French culinary identity, and in Paris, you’ll find cheeses from every corner of the country. Exploring the city’s cheese scene offers a delicious glimpse into the regional diversity that defines the cuisine of La République.
Some of our favorite French cheeses include:
- Mimolette – A bright orange, nutty cheese from Lille
- Comté – A firm, buttery cheese from Franche-Comté
- Reblochon – A creamy, washed-rind cheese from Savoie
- Chabichou – A soft, tangy goat cheese from Poitou
And what better way to explore cheese than with a wine pairing? On our Ultimate Paris Food Tour, we cap off the experience with a guided tasting at a local wine shop. Guests learn to match fromages with regional wines, like a crisp Chardonnay from Bourgogne or a bold Listrac-Médoc from Bordeaux. Every bite and sip becomes even more memorable.
The Best Way to Eat Like a Parisian
Paris is full of culinary treasures, but with so many choices, it can be tough to know where to start. Our Ultimate Paris Food Tour offers a relaxed, delicious way to explore the city like a local. You’ll enjoy neighborhood stories, classic bites, and hidden gems you won’t find in a guidebook.
Join us for a stroll through Le Marais to experience the neighborhood’s vibrant diversity and multicultural flavors. Discover how Parisians savor food, wine, and good company one bite at a time.
FAQ -What to Eat in Paris
What’s Included?
- 11+ tastes at 8 curated neighborhood stops in Le Marais, including croissants, cheeses, bistro classics & more
- 2 glasses of French wine (or non-alcoholic alternatives)
- Cultural insights and stories behind each taste from an expert local guide
- Meet artisan makers and multigenerational bakers
- A small group experience at intimate, local venues
What if I have a dietary restriction and/or allergies?
We’re happy to adapt the tour for a variety of dietary needs. Some common accommodations include:
- Vegetarian
- Pescatarian
- Non-alcoholic options
- Pregnant women
We do our best to accommodate allergies, but depending on their severity and combination, options may be limited. Substitutions are offered when possible, though not guaranteed. We strongly recommend reaching out to our Guest Experience team in advance to confirm if the tour is right for you.
Ready to savor the best of Paris? Book your spot on our Ultimate Paris Food Tour and taste the city’s delicious highlights!
