Delicious Food to Try in France
Looking to discover the most classic French dishes and where to eat them across France? This regional food guide will take you through the best of French cuisine and where to find each dish.
France is a paradise for food lovers—a country where each dish tells a story woven from centuries of tradition and culinary artistry. From the lavender fields of Provence to the windswept coasts of Brittany and the vineyards of Burgundy, French cuisine is as varied as its regions. Shaped by history, seasonal ingredients, and a deep respect for technique, France’s gastronomy is both a daily pleasure and a cultural cornerstone. Whether dining in a Parisian bistro, picnicking beside a country château, or sharing a meal in a village auberge, the French table offers unforgettable experiences at every turn.
What to eat in Paris with classic French bistro dishes
Begin your culinary journey in Paris, where the art of the bistro is alive and well. Here, food is about elegance in simplicity—dishes like steak frites (pan-seared steak with crisp fries), duck confit (slow-cooked duck), or croque monsieur (French ham and cheese sandwich) served in cosy cafés and bustling brasseries. Don’t miss a warm bowl of French onion soup, topped with bubbling Gruyère, or a silky boeuf bourguignon, slow-cooked in red wine with mushrooms and pearl onions. For the best experience, skip the tourist traps and seek out neighbourhood spots in the Marais, Montmartre, or the Latin Quarter, where locals linger over long lunches with a glass of Côtes du Rhône.
Top French seafood dishes to try in Brittany
Head west to Brittany, a rugged coastal region known for its seafaring roots and exceptional seafood. Here, the stars of the table include moules marinières (mussels in white wine and shallots), homard bleu (local blue lobster), and galettes de sarrasin—savoury buckwheat crepes filled with ham, cheese, or egg. Everything is enriched by the region’s signature salted butter, often studded with crunchy fleur de sel (sea salt). Enjoy a seafood platter by the harbour in Cancale or a crêpe in a rustic creperie in Saint-Malo, paired with a bowl of dry Breton cider.
Traditional alpine cuisine in the French Alps and Savoy
In the snow-dusted peaks of the French Alps, food is hearty and comforting—perfect fuel for long winter days. Try raclette, a melted Alpine cheese scraped over potatoes, charcuterie, and cornichons, or tartiflette, a rich casserole of Reblochon cheese, bacon, and onions. In towns like Annecy, Chamonix, or Megève, you'll find mountain restaurants where the smell of melted cheese beckons you in from the cold. Don’t miss diots (Savoie pork sausages) and gratin dauphinois, a creamy potato bake that defines rustic alpine cooking.
Provençal food guide with must-try dishes in Provence
Travel south to Provence, where the cuisine reflects the sun-drenched landscape—vibrant, fragrant, and Mediterranean at heart. Local markets overflow with olives, tomatoes, herbs, and lavender-scented honey. Try bouillabaisse, a fisherman’s stew from Marseille made with rockfish, saffron, and garlic rouille, or ratatouille, a vegetable medley simmered to perfection. Tapenade, aioli, and pissaladière (an onion and anchovy tart) are regional staples. Enjoy them with a glass of chilled rosé under a plane tree in Aix-en-Provence or Cassis.
Where to eat in Lyon with traditional French dishes
No culinary tour of France would be complete without a stop in Lyon, long hailed as the country’s gastronomic heart. In the city’s legendary bouchons—traditional Lyonnais taverns—you’ll find rustic, soulful dishes like quenelles de brochet (pike dumplings in crayfish sauce), andouillette (tripe sausage), and salade lyonnaise with poached egg and crisp lardons. Lyon blends the finesse of haute cuisine with down-to-earth tradition, earning its title as the gateway to French gastronomy.
Best French desserts by region
France’s sweet traditions are as diverse as its savoury ones. In Bordeaux, indulge in canelés, small caramelised cakes with a custardy centre. In Alsace, try kougelhopf, a yeasted cake with almonds and raisins, often enjoyed at breakfast. Normandy offers tarte Tatin, an upside-down caramelised apple tart, while Paris dazzles with pastries like mille-feuille, éclairs, and the delicate macaron. And of course, nothing beats a freshly baked croissant or pain au chocolat from a village bakery on a quiet morning.
Eating through France is more than a journey of taste—it’s a deep dive into a culture that reveres food as a form of art and identity. Every bite brings you closer to the heart of this timeless nation.
