To the French, eating is so much more than simply nourishment. It is also an essential means of social interaction and a vital ingredient in enhancing the quality of life. Here is Marco Polo’s guide to traditional French delicacies and the Parisian restaurants you are likely to find them in…
French specialties you should try on your visit to Paris:
Boeuf bourguignon: braised beef in a Burgundy sauce
Bouillabaisse: fish stew made with Mediterranean fish
Brochettes de coquilles Saint Jacques: kebabs with scallops
Caneton à l’orange: roast duck in an orange sauce
Coq au vin: braise of chicken in red wine
Côtes de porc aux herbes: pork chops with herbs
Crème brûlée: a rich custard base topped with a layer of hard caramel
Crêpes Suzette: thin pancakes with Grand Marnier
Écrevisses à la nage: boiled crayfish in a spicy broth
Escargots à la bourguignonne: boiled snails in a garlic herb sauce
Fruits de mer: seafood, i.e. crevettes (prawns), huîtres (oysters) and coquilles/moules (mussels) – often served raw
Gigot d’agneau aux morilles: leg of lamb with morels
Gratin dauphinois: potato gratin
Homard à l’armoricaine: lobster in a tomato, onion, herb, white wine and cognac sauce
Moules marinières: steamed mussels in white wine with onions
Noisettes d’agneau: small lamb cutlets fried in butter
Pot-au-feu: stew with beef, chicken and a variety of vegetables
Profiteroles: small cream puff-pastry with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce
Quenelles de brochet: pickerel, cream and egg dumplings
Ratatouille: vegetables sauteed with olive oil, onions and herbs, served either hot or cold
Soupe à l’oignon gratinée: onion soup baked with cheese
Tarte Tatin: carmelised upside down apple pie
Restaurants serving traditional French cuisine:
La Fresque
A small restaurant with a typically Parisian flair that is located directly adjacent to the shopping centre Les Halles. It is good value for money and has very friendly and attentive waiters. It is a good idea to arrive there early as it can become very busy in the evenings. Closed Sundays | 100, Rue Rambuteau | 11th Arr. | Tel. 01 42 33 17 56 | M 4: Les Halles
Crêperie de Plougastel
Claimed to be one of the best crêperies in the city. The crêpes with caramel are particularly delectable, as are the savoury galettes made with buckwheat flour and filled with ham, mushrooms and smoked salmon. Open daily | 47, Rue Montparnasse | 14th Arr. | Tel. 01 42 79 90 63 | M 6: Edgar Quinet
Les Papilles
Les Papilles is a Bistro with a wine cellar and a delicatessen. It serves authentic cuisine near the Jardin du Luxembourg. Closed Sundays and Mondays | 30, rue Gay Lussac | 5th Arr. | Tel. 01 43 28 20 79 | RER B: Luxembourg
Chez Glandines
Offers good value specialities from southwest France and the Basque region. It is a modest restaurant situated in the nightlife district Butte-aux-Cailles. Open daily | 30, Rue des Cinq Diamants | 13th Arr. | Tel. 01 45 80 70 10 | M 6: Corvisart
Chantairelle
Chantairelle offers hearty and succulent cuisine and pays homage to the Auvergne. With the exception of the ice cream, everything on the menu originates from this region in central France. The restaurant even has a takeaway deli, which sells cold meat, cheese, lentils and much more. Open daily (lunch only on Sundays and Mondays, dinner only on Saturdays and in August) | 17, rue Laplace | 5th Arr. | Tel. 01 46 33 18 59 | M 10: Cardinal Lemoine
Citrus Etoile
Citrus Etoile serves classical French dishes with a modern interpretation including Asian and Californian influences. There is a comfortably discreet atmosphere and it is situated only a few yards from the Arc de Triomphe. Saturdays and Sundays are for private functions only | 6, Rue Arséne Houssaye | 8th Arr. | Tel. 01 42 89 15 51 | M 1, 2, 6, RER A: Etoile
Content taken from the Paris Marco Polo Spiral Guide
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Wonderful post! Had me daydreaming about the many amazing meals I had on a recent trip to Paris. Thanks for sharing!
-Julia at List Maker, Picture Taker