Eating in Paris: 7 must-try bites (and where best to enjoy them)

Whether you're sitting in a bistro or munching as you walk, eating in Paris is always a treat.

You're never going to go hungry, of course, but no matter where you go or what you do, be sure to put the following on your must-eat list while your boots are on the ground. 

The perfect croissant

Look beyond the fact that these crescent-shaped wonders of buttery goodness were invented in Austria; croissants - and their variations - have long been associated with everyday French living since the 1800s.

Available in boulangeries across the city, there's no better place to get stuck into that light-as-air pastry than at Du Pain et des Idees, located in the 10th Arrondissement, also known for their escargot croissants in a variety of flavours. Should you try them all? Of course you should! 

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Sneaky $5 charge added to traveller's bill at restaurant

Steak frites 

Ah, the fire engine red awnings, the gingham tablecloths and all those gleaming brass fittings: taking a seat at a brasserie is the quintessential French experience - particularly if you order the steak frites with a bold glass of red.

While Belgium claims this as their national dish, steak frites (essentially a solid serve of steak served medium rare, topped with an equally solid serve of butter and thin, crispy fries) is best enjoyed in an atmospheric bistrot such as Le Relais de l'Entrecôte, or at a lower price point, Bouillon Chartier.  Starting with Soupe l'Oignon is always recommended. 

A classic baguette 

Look away from the humble bread roll, the baguette - characterised by its crusty and oh-so-aromatic exterior, soft, fluffy interior and long shape, is a work of art.

In fact, the French take their baguettes so seriously that each year bakers around the city fight it out to take the crown of the annual Grand Prix de la baguette championships. Boulangerie Utopie, in the city's 11th arrondissement, has taken out the crown for 2024, but it's also hard to go past the steak frites baguettes at Maison Julien.

The quintessential macaron 

Is it a dish? Not exactly, but who can go past adding a silky, bite-sized meringue filled with ganache to the list? Reinvented by master patissier Pierre Herme to cover an extensive range of flavours, the best place to get your fill is at one of the stores bearing his name, if you prefer a little fair with your snack, at the delightful Ladurée Champs-Elysées. 

An oozy crepe 

Whether you've got a craving for something sweet, something savoury or something that oozes cheese all over your shoes as you walk from point to point, you'll need to find a creperie, that magical place that specialises in this super-thin batter cooked on a pan or grill and filled with all manner of goodness.

Tucked away in the 15th arrondissement, La Galetterie uses organic buckwheat flour and AOC cheeses, presenting the perfect snack. Chocolate crepe, crepe suzette; grab those as a desert to go - just be sure to pick a spot that makes them thin and cooked to order (there's nothing worse than a reheated crepe). 

A crispy falafel 

True, not quite up there with an onion soup, but it would be a mistake to overlook the great falafel spots located around Le Marais in particular. Home to some of the best Israeli cuisine around the globe, Paris - for some reason - seems to do this dish better than most, with many of the top eateries centred around Rue des Rosiers. Try Chez H'anna where the ingredients are HEAVING, or perennial favourite, L'as du Fallafel. 

A super-moist croque-monsieur 

Sometimes, people-watching with a side of espresso just isn't going to cut it. Sometimes, you'll need a little sustenance that arrives in the form of a croque-monsieur, all oozy with melted cheese and grilled ham in the middle and crisp, brown and piping hot on the exterior.

A slather of bechamel sauce and a touch of dijon mustard completes this perfect picture (or a fried egg if you're opting for a croque-madame), and the best place to wrap your lips around one? Look no further than Faste, a takeaway option which specialises in the dish, or if you prefer to eat in, Tram in the Latin Quarter. 

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