35 Iconic Things to Eat in France That Locals Actually Love
To eat in France is to understand France.
It’s not just what you eat—it’s how, when, and with whom. A two-hour weekday lunch. A tart bought still warm from the boulangerie. A crêpe folded into quarters and eaten while walking across the Seine. In France, food isn’t just fuel—it’s culture, ceremony, and sometimes even seduction.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning like a regular, these are the essential things to eat in France—classics that still thrill, pastries you’ll dream about, and regional dishes that make each corner of the country taste different.
This isn’t just a list of tourist “musts.” These are the real things, the ones French people order again and again. And the ones I can never resist, either.
Classic French Dishes Everyone Should Try
1. Boeuf Bourguignon
A rich beef stew from Burgundy simmered in red wine with mushrooms and onions. Best on a rainy day, with mashed potatoes and a glass of Pinot Noir.
2. Coq au Vin
Chicken braised in red wine until silky, with garlic and mushrooms. Comforting and unmistakably French.
3. Duck Confit (Confit de Canard)
Tender duck leg, cooked in its own fat, then crisped until golden. A southwestern specialty.
4. Steak Frites
The ultimate bistro order. A perfectly cooked steak with crisp fries and Dijon mustard.
5. Steak Tartare
Raw beef, hand-chopped and mixed with capers, mustard, and a yolk. A French classic still eaten at lunch in good cafés.
6. Cassoulet
White beans, sausage, and duck confit slow-cooked together. Best in Toulouse, though winter in Paris works too.
7. Ratatouille
Provençal vegetables stewed into color and flavor: eggplant, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes. Summer in a dish.
8. Gratin Dauphinois
Potatoes baked with cream and garlic until golden and bubbling. French comfort food at its finest.
9. Frog Legs (Cuisses de Grenouille)
Delicate and garlicky. They really do taste like chicken—with a French accent.
10. Soupe à l’Oignon (Onion Soup)
Caramelized onions in a rich broth, topped with bread and molten cheese.
Breads, Pastries & Breakfast Staples
11. Croissant au Beurre
Flaky, buttery, best eaten fresh from an artisanal boulangerie.
12. Pain au Chocolat
A child’s breakfast of choice (and mine, too).
13. Baguette Tradition
Crisp, chewy, and superior to the industrial version. Buy one late afternoon when it’s still warm.
14. Kouign-Amann
A caramelized Breton pastry that’s croissant meets tarte tatin.
15. Chausson aux Pommes
Apple-filled pastry, the French answer to a turnover.
16. Galette des Rois
A puff pastry with almond cream, available in January, fève hidden inside.
17. Crêpes & Galettes
Sweet crêpes with butter and sugar, or buckwheat galettes with ham, egg, and cheese. Best in Brittany—or a Paris crêperie.
Cheeses & Charcuterie (for Apéro or Anytime)
18. Comté
Nutty, salty, aged to perfection.
19. Roquefort
Pungent blue cheese from sheep’s milk. Love it or hate it, it’s iconic.
20. Brie de Meaux
Creamy, soft, irresistible with baguette and fig jam.
21. Saucisson Sec
Dry-cured sausage, a staple at every apéro.
22. Rillettes
Rustic meat spread, often pork or duck, best with cornichons.
23. Foie Gras
Festive, controversial, but still central to French holiday meals.
24. Chèvre
Fresh goat cheese, sometimes baked on toast with honey.
Seafood & Regional Favorites
25. Bouillabaisse
A Marseille fish stew with saffron, rouille, and croutons.
26. Moules-Frites
Mussels in white wine with fries on the side. Messy but worth it.
27. Salade Niçoise
Tuna, anchovies, eggs, olives, tomatoes. Never accept one with cooked green beans.
28. Socca
A chickpea pancake from Nice, crisp and savory, eaten at the market.
29. Choucroute Garnie
Alsatian sauerkraut with sausages and smoked pork. Hearty and unexpected.
30. Couscous Royal
A North African import now beloved in French homes. Merguez, lamb, chicken, vegetables, semolina.
31. Jambon-Beurre
Baguette, butter, ham. Simple perfection.
Sweet Endings
32. Macarons
Light, crisp, colorful. Try Pierre Hermé for inventive flavors.
33. Crème Brûlée
Custard topped with caramelized sugar you crack with a spoon.
34. Soufflé
Airy, baked-to-order, and best eaten straight from the oven.
35. Île Flottante
Poached meringue floating in crème anglaise. Elegant and nostalgic.
FAQs: What to Eat in France
What is France’s national dish?
There’s no single answer, but boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin are strong contenders.
What food must I try in Paris?
Start with a croissant, a jambon-beurre, steak-frites, and a macaron (or three).
Is French food expensive?
Not always. A market picnic of cheese, bread, and wine can be under €10.
What do French people actually eat every day?
Seasonal vegetables, cheese, yogurt, bread, and simple home-cooked meals like lentils with sausage.
Final Thoughts: Eat Like the French
Eat slowly. Eat seasonally. And don’t be afraid to ask what the person next to you is ordering—it’s often the best advice.
In France, the meals that stay with you aren’t always Michelin-starred. Sometimes it’s a wedge of cheese on a park bench, a croissant devoured still warm, or a shared pot of boeuf bourguignon on a rainy night.
Bon appétit.
Looking for more? Don’t miss my guides to stylish Paris restaurants and the best crêperies in Paris.
