When people think of France, they often think of romance, the Eiffel tower, and good wine.
And while this is all accurate, we must not forget another big thing that France has to offer: delicious food.
That’s right, France has some of the best food in the world. And, their cuisine has actually had a large influence on other types of international cuisines, such as Vietnamese and American.
But, when heading to France, it can be difficult to figure out what foods you need to try. Every street in Paris is dotted with cute cafes and bakeries. How will you ever figure out what you should eat?
That’s where we come in. While a bad meal in France is rare, there are certainly some meals that are better than others.
And the key to eating a good meal is sticking to popular local cuisine.
So, what are the local foods that you have to try in France?
Check out this guide to learn all about the best French foods.
1. Foie Gras
While foie gras may not have an appetizing appearance (the whole dish is an off-white color), it certainly packs some powerful flavors.
This dish consists of the fattened liver of either duck or goose. And while this may not sound appetizing, trust us- it’s straight up buttery goodness that will leave you wanting more.
This dish is either served as a pate, mousse, or a parfait, and although it is quite expensive, it’s definitely worth the price.
2. French Baguette
If you were to be asked to paint a picture of a French person, your painting would probably include someone walking down a cobblestone street with a beret on their head and a French baguette in their hand.
Well, your image wouldn’t be too far off from the truth, as French baguettes are really just as popular as the movies make them seem.
And, once you’ve had a bite of this delicious soft bread, you’ll definitely understand why.
We could write an entire book of recommendations on where to get the best baguette in France, and we’d still miss about half the places.
So, we recommend doing as the French do and letting your nose and eyes do the picking.
3. Cheese, Cheese, and More Cheese
If there’s one thing you have to do in France (other than visiting the Eiffel Tower), it’s to try as much cheese as physically possible.
Head to the grocery store or a cute cafe and order up some of the French classics: brie, Roquefort, camembert, reblochon, Bornin, and Munster.
Then, grab a baguette and a bottle of wine and head to some green space to sit out and relax like a true French local.
4. Macarons
Thanks to Instagram, macarons have become widely recognized across the world as a staple of French cuisine.
But, in case you have been living under a rock and don’t know, macarons are the brightly-colored sandwich cookies that come in a wide variety of flavors.
Made from sugar and almond flour, these cloud-like cookies are also gluten-free!
While it’s hard to find a bad macaron in France, there is one place we have to recommend if you want the full macaron experience: Laduree in Paris.
Laduree is an adorable and ornate cafe that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a royal palace to enjoy some afternoon tea with the queen.
Here you can order unique teas, a plate of assorted macarons, and other unique desserts.
5. Hot Chocolate
If your idea of hot chocolate is pouring some brown powder into a cup and adding water, then you need to let the French educate you on what real hot chocolate is.
In France, they make hot chocolate with actual melted chocolate and hot milk.
While it’s way less sweet than other forms of hot chocolate, the taste is much richer and more authentic. You’ll never be able to go back to powdered hot chocolate again!
6. Steak Tartare
While this dish may look like something you would serve your cat, steak tartare is a delicious delicacy in French culture.
Steak tartare is essentially uncooked beef that is grounded up and blended with herbs, spices, and other ingredients.
And don’t worry about getting food poisoning. Restaurants these days are extremely careful about picking out meat that is safe to eat.
While this may not be your favorite dish in France, it’s definitely worth the experience.
7. Crepes
While spending time at cafes in France is a must, you also can’t forget about the street food.
And what better street food is there to try than a delicious crepe?
Other than being the perfect street food due to their portability, French crepes area also great because of the wide variety of flavors they come in. You can try everything from bananas and Nutella to ham and cheese to spinach and mushroom.
And, you can bet that in France, the actual crepe is just as good as the filling.
8. Frog Legs
Centuries ago, when the monks were banned from eating meat, they turned to the next best thing: frog legs. (Don’t worry, we’re just as confused as you are.)
Because at the time, frogs technically qualified as seafood, making them okay to eat.
Peasants and other citizens soon followed suit, and since then, frog legs have developed into a unique French delicacy.
While frog legs can be harder to find as the years pass, it’s certainly not impossible.
This best restaurants guide should help you get started on your hunt.
9. Escargots
Of course, we can’t talk about popular French foods without talking about escargots.
For those who don’t know, escargots is buttered snail, and it is one of the most widely known French delicacies.
And while the thought of eating a snail may sound off-putting at first, you will soon change your mind once the buttery and garlicky goodness hits your mouth.
Soon, you’ll be trying to figure out how you can transport a box of these back home with you.
Are You Ready to Try All These French Foods?
As you can see, there are a lot of French foods out there that are worth trying.
Which of these French foods are you most excited to try on your trip to France? Let us know in the comments below!
And, be sure to check back in with our blog for more food recommendations.
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