Photo by Alice Donovan Rouse on Unsplash
As one of the top tourist destinations in the world, spending simply a week in Paris can be overwhelming given the amount of things you can do and see in France’s capital city. One thing that visitors will not regret is trying as many of the dining delicacies Paris has to offer as they can. However, not all French food is five-star luxury dining meals fit for royalty. Some of the best things you can try can be found in markets or from street vendors. The following are just some of the many culinary cuisines tourists should try in The City of Light.
Baguettes
Some of the best artisanal baguettes are found right here in Paris, with a yearly competition taking place to judge the best in the city. The ‘Meilleure Baguette de Paris’ is the winner of these contests, which provides visitors with a great list of resources as to where to find the best baguettes around.
Croque-Monsieur
A dish that doesn’t stray far from traditional American recipes, the croque-monsieur is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich topped with Béchamel sauce. This crisp, delicious meal can also be served with a fried egg on top, also known as the croque-madame. This dish can be found all throughout Paris, as nearly all cafes consider this a staple of their menus.
Macarons
Not to be confused with macaroons, macarons are a traditional French dessert that were born in the capital city. These pastries are made up of two almond meringue cookies stuck together with wither buttercream or ganache. They come in a large variety of flavors and colors, and can be found in bakeries all around France. However, make sure you are purchasing homemade macarons as opposed to the nationally distributed factory-made ones for optimal flavor.
Crêpes
Another sweet treat that can be found throughout the streets of Paris are crêpes; a traditional street snack that is best served fresh. Resembling thin yet fluffy pancakes, this dish comes with many possible fillings, from chocolate, to fruit, to ice cream. The beurre-sucre is considered the preferred stuffing by French natives, which is simply butter and sugar.
Duck Confit
Rounding out our list is an old French dish that makes for a delicious dinner. Duck confit was originally crafted to preserve duck meat for later consumption, but people soon discovered that cooking duck thighs in their own fat created a delectable meal. While it is somewhat difficult to make from scratch, many restaurants in Paris obtain this meal from Southwestern France, serving it seared and crispy. It typically comes with a side of potatoes sarladaises as well.