I want to tell you about the best things I ate in Paris. According to me. Myself. My own tastebuds.
Let’s be honest – one of the best parts about traveling is trying new foods. Finally getting a chance to taste those little nuggets that you might have only seen on the Travel Channel or some influencer’s Instagram page.
I love food. I like to say I’m a foodie, even though I don’t really know how to define that because we all need to eat. But I tend to geek out a little more than most.
Why?
Because I believe that food is a great introduction to a location’s history and culture.
Don’t believe me? Go on a food tour. See how quickly you’ll change your mind.
This was the most recent food tour I went on in Paris: Secret Food Tours
But I digress. Let’s get to it.
The best things I ate in Paris
These are in no particular order, other than what I remember. And thank goodness I’m one of those people who like to take poor-quality photos of my food. If nothing else but to remember what I ate! These are the best things I ate in Paris!
Croque Madame
What is it?
A classic French sandwich made with mornay sauce, ham, gruyere cheese, and mustard, all topped with a fried egg. Um, hello?!
I first heard about this sandwich (and a few other items on this list) from the Netflix series “The Great British Baking Show,” and I was keen on giving it a try. I loved the simplicity of it all. Plus, anything with a fried egg on top is gas.
I honestly think the thing that makes this humble sandwich onto my best things I ate in Paris list is just that – it’s simple. Great food, delicious food, memorable food doesn’t have to be chaotic and complicated. Sometimes it can be basic, done right.
All the pastries
Left to right: chausson aux pommes, quiche, St. Honoré; tarte tatin; macarons
I was in heaven – bakeries everywhere offering deliciously fresh pastries that I’d only ever dreamed about tasting for myself. Once again, I learned about these pastries from “The Great British Baking Show.“
It was hard to single out a pastry to add to my best things I ate in Paris list, so I just grouped them all together. Because I’m the boss. And, it really doesn’t matter.
I’m not sure how many Americans would be adventurous enough to venture into a patisserie or boulangerie and order something that they couldn’t pronounce that was different from an eclair or croissant. But I’m one of them.
I had to control myself and only order a few at a time. Not because they were expensive (they were surprisingly affordable), but because I can only handle a certain amount of sugar before I start to crave something savory, other than a savory pastry!
Side note: I only had macarons on my food tour in Montmartre, and of course, they were everything I wanted them to be. I do love macarons and eat them often, but I was always on the lookout for those pastries that were a little harder to find back home. When I’m home, I get my macarons from Fillings and Emulsions. They also have a location in the SLC Airport!
One of the best things about visiting Paris is the food, but I was cautioned to not only eat French food while I was there. I took that to heart and ate at the coolest ramen place in town, just a few minutes’ walk away from the Louvre.
I’d heard about an awesomely authentic ramen joint that had 2 locations, one being decorated to the T like a Japanese fish market. I had to see this for myself, so my friends and I hopped over after filling our brains with exhibits at the Louvre.
It did not disappoint!
I had the shio ramen with the egg and chili oil, and my life changed. It was the best ramen I’d ever had, and the faux-fish market semi-hokey ambiance just added to the experience.
Thank goodness my friends and I arrived early, as the restaurant has limited seating and there was a huge queue that had formed outside during our experience!
Baguettes
Yes, I gave the baguette it’s own honorary section, rather than grouping it in with the other baked goods I ate. Why? Let me explain.
Believe it or not, I’m not a huge bread person. I don’t usually like sandwiches, only eat my burgers about halfway before I toss the bun, and never ate my sourdough bread bowls when I ate clam chowder in San Francisco.
I’m not sure where this quirk came from. It’s not a health-related thing, but who knows?
I’d had baguettes before, eaten freshly-baked bread, and even tried “specialty” breads from local bakeries…but I was never super interested. Sure, they were good, but not something I’d go for organically.
But!
I needed to eat a baguette in Paris. I needed to see if I could cure this bread thing with a loaf from the motherland. The holy grail of wheat.
The baguette is an icon.
The verdict?
I love baguettes. I had at least one a day and would just snack on it all day. I grabbed one on my bike tour of Versailles and had it tucked into my bike basket all day! I’m honestly relieved that this icon made it onto my best things I ate in Paris list!
Roasted Potatoes
I’m not sure what they did to these seemingly uninteresting-looking potatoes, but they were like crack. The humble potato was dripping with flavorful goodness and I only wished for a spoon!
My friends and I were in Versailles and looking for a place to eat lunch. We stopped at this little marketplace that had restaurants along the way, and stopped at a place that had whole chickens roasting on a spit.
We were excited to get some veggies (because, well, France) and have a more local experience, when I spotted the potatoes roasting under the chicken – literally roasting in the drippings. They were amazing. I can’t remember the name of the location, but maybe someday I’ll edit this post with it!
Or you could zoom in on the bag my friend is holding with the rooster logo – I’m sure the location is written somewhere on the bag!
Everything at Golden Poppy
Left to right: outside Golden Poppy, dancing like a hungry fangirl; the Japanese-Californian-inspired menu; loving life and my FREE Porn Star mocktail; velouté (cold soup starter); seared teriyaki octopus with kimchi carrots and shaved fennel
When I was planning this trip to Paris, I wanted to make sure my friends and I had at least one nice/expensive dining experience.
I wanted something strong for the best things I ate in Paris review that I knew was going to be coming out…
And when you’re going to Paris, the options can be quite overwhelming. The list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris is extensive and, unless you’re a foodie and know what you’re looking for, it can be difficult to narrow your options down.
I’ve been a huge fan of Michelin-star chef Dominique Crenn for some time now, and I was thrilled to learn from the Michelin Guide that she has a newer restaurant in Paris. I was fortunate enough to get a reservation at Golden Poppy, and looked forward to this meal almost more than the trip itself.
The food itself was exactly what I wanted – beautiful, intentional, delicious, and thought-provoking (a detailed blog post is forthcoming). But the ambiance, attention-to-detail, textiles and down to the stemware was something out of a dream. Oh, that’s right. My dreams.
Cheese from our food tour
Like I mentioned earlier, I went on a food tour in Paris.
I highly recommend a food tour in one of the gastronomic centers of the world. Not only do you learn more about the cuisine, but also the history of the location and the culture surrounding it!
Although our tour took place on a Sunday and the fromagerie our guide usually patronizes was closed, our guide took care to purchase cheese the day before…so we didn’t miss out too much!
We sampled many different items, but the cheese stuck out for obvious reasons. Our sweet guide, Luz, spent time explaining the history of the cheese she brought, why they looked and smelled the way they did, and how important they were to French culture.
I’m not a fan of blue cheese – never have been. But I enjoyed the blue cheese Luz brought and it really opened my senses. I learned that sometimes having the best of the best can change your mind!
Frogs legs
Rounding out this list of the best things I ate in Paris is…FROG LEGS!! Yes, you heard me correctly.
I was dying to try something a little more…unusual…on this trip to one of the gastronomic capitals of the world. On our last night in Paris, my friends and I wound up at Le Vrai to take advantage of the prime location, outdoor seating, and cute ambiance. And then when I looked at the menu, I audibly gasped.
Frog legs were listed as a starter…and I didn’t hesitate!
Fortunately, they were prepared in a way that didn’t resemble the whole animal, which meant my friends were more willing to try them as well. They were delicate and delicious. And resembled small chicken wings. Well, a plump version of a flat, IYKYK.
I loved them. The sauce was delicious and we ate every single leg. Let this be another lesson – don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. A local delicacy. Because even if you don’t end up liking it, you’ll have an amazing story to tell!
Have you tried anything on my best things I ate in Paris list? Would you be willing to try something new?
Sharing is caring! Please show some love by sharing on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Thank you!
