French food is famous for its delicious flavors and attention to detail. It uses fresh ingredients and follows traditional recipes. You can enjoy buttery croissants, tasty cheeses, and classic dishes like Coq au Vin and Beef Bourguignon. French cuisine is a true delight, with its rich flavors and exquisite desserts like crème brûlée. Each region in France has its own specialties, making the food diverse and exciting to explore. Here is the food to try during your visit to France.
20 foods to try in France
Croissant
A buttery and flaky pastry made from laminated dough. Croissants have a crescent shape and a light, airy texture. They are typically enjoyed for breakfast and can be plain or filled with chocolate, almond paste, or other sweet fillings.
Cheese
France is famous for its wide variety of cheeses. From creamy Brie and Camembert to pungent Roquefort and tangy goat cheese, there is a cheese to suit every palate. French cheeses are made from different types of milk (cow, goat, or sheep) and come in various textures and flavors.
Baguette
The quintessential French bread, baguettes have a crusty exterior and a soft, chewy interior. They are traditionally made with flour, water, salt, and yeast. Baguettes are a staple of French cuisine and are enjoyed fresh with butter, cheese, or as an accompaniment to meals.
Coq au Vin
A classic French dish, coq au vin is a chicken stew cooked in red wine with mushrooms, onions, and bacon. The chicken is braised until tender and infused with the rich flavors of the wine and aromatics. It is typically served with potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
Ratatouille
Ratatouille is a vegetable stew originating from Provence. It consists of eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, all cooked together with herbs and olive oil. Ratatouille is a vibrant and flavorful dish that celebrates the freshness of summer produce.
Escargots de Bourgogne
Escargots are snails cooked in garlic, butter, and parsley. The snails are removed from their shells, placed back into the shells with the garlic-herb butter, and then baked. They are typically served as an appetizer, and the tender snails are prized for their delicate flavor.
Bouillabaisse
Bouillabaisse is a traditional Provençal fish stew. It typically includes a variety of fish and shellfish such as red snapper, monkfish, mussels, and shrimp. The stew is flavored with tomatoes, saffron, garlic, and herbs. Bouillabaisse is served with toasted bread and a side of rouille, a spicy garlic sauce.
Quiche Lorraine
Quiche Lorraine is a savory tart made with a buttery pastry crust and a filling of eggs, cream, cheese, and bacon or ham. The filling is seasoned with salt, pepper, and sometimes nutmeg. Quiche Lorraine is baked until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. It can be served warm or at room temperature.
Crème Brûlée
Crème brûlée is a classic French dessert consisting of a rich custard base made with cream, egg yolks, and sugar. The custard is baked until set, and then a layer of caramelized sugar is added to the top just before serving. The result is a creamy, indulgent dessert with a contrasting crunchy caramelized topping.
Macarons
Macarons are delicate and colorful sandwich cookies made from almond flour, sugar, and egg whites. They have a crisp exterior and a soft, chewy interior. The cookies are filled with a flavored ganache, buttercream, or jam. Macarons come in a variety of flavors such as chocolate, raspberry, pistachio, and vanilla.
Foie Gras
Foie gras is a luxury food made from the liver of fattened ducks or geese. It is often served as a pâté or in slices seared and served with a fruit compote or brioche. Foie gras has a rich and buttery flavor.
Bouef Bourguignon
Bouef Bourguignon is a classic French beef stew cooked in red wine from the Burgundy region. The beef is slow-cooked with onions, carrots, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs, resulting in tender meat and a flavorful, rich sauce. It is traditionally served with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Tarte Tati
Tarte Tatin is a caramelized upside-down apple tart. Sliced apples are caramelized in butter and sugar in a skillet, then topped with a pastry crust and baked until golden. When flipped over, the tart has a sticky caramelized apple topping. It is often served with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Salade Niçoise
Salade Niçoise is a refreshing salad originating from the city of Nice. It typically includes fresh mixed greens, boiled potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, olives, and canned tuna. The salad is dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, and sometimes anchovies. It is a light and satisfying meal on warm summer days.
Duck Confit
Duck confit is a traditional French dish where duck legs are seasoned with salt, garlic, and herbs, then slowly cooked in its own fat until tender. The duck meat becomes rich and flavorful with a crispy skin. It is often served with potatoes and a side of greens.
Châteaubriand
Châteaubriand is a thick cut of tenderloin steak, typically served for two. The steak is seasoned, seared, and cooked to your desired doneness. It is often served with a rich red wine sauce and accompanied by roasted vegetables or gratin dauphinois (potato gratin).
Crêpes
Crêpes are thin pancakes made from a simple batter of flour, eggs, milk, and butter. They can be served with sweet fillings like Nutella, fresh fruits, or jam, or savory fillings like ham, cheese, and mushrooms. Crêpes are popular street food in France and can be found in many crêperies.
Steak Tartare
Steak tartare is a raw beef dish finely chopped or minced and seasoned with ingredients like capers, onions, Worcestershire sauce, and egg yolk. It is often served with toast points or fries. Steak tartare showcases the quality of the beef and is a favorite of meat lovers.
Mille-Feuille
Mille-Feuille, also known as Napoleon, is a classic French pastry made of layers of puff pastry filled with pastry cream or whipped cream. The top is dusted with powdered sugar or glazed with icing. Mille-Feuille is a delicate and elegant dessert with contrasting textures of crisp pastry and creamy filling.
Creme Caramel
Creme caramel, also known as flan, is a silky custard dessert with a caramel sauce. The custard is made with eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla, then baked in a water bath until set. When served, it is inverted, and the caramel sauce flows over the custard, creating a luscious dessert.
