ExploFood · Europe
What to eat in France
Five dishes to try in France, the most typical first. Two are vegetarian.
Five dishes to try in France
Croissant
Buttery, flaky crescent-shaped pastry.
How to have it: Buy it fresh in the morning at a boulangerie; 'croissant au beurre' means all-butter.
Beef bourguignon Bœuf bourguignon
Beef braised in red Burgundy wine with mushrooms, onions and bacon.
How to have it: A bistro classic, best in the cooler months with a glass of Burgundy.
Steak frites
Pan-fried steak with fries.
How to have it: Ask for 'saignant' (rare) or 'à point' (medium); French cooks go rarer than elsewhere.
French onion soup Soupe à l'oignon
Caramelised onion soup in beef broth topped with bread and melted cheese.
How to have it: A Paris bistro and late-night classic, especially in winter.
Crêpe
Thin pancake filled with sugar, chocolate, jam or other sweet fillings.
How to have it: Street stands sell them everywhere; in Brittany try buckwheat galettes with ham and egg.
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Questions
What food is France famous for?
Croissant (buttery, flaky crescent-shaped pastry) comes first on our list, followed by Beef bourguignon, Steak frites, French onion soup and Crêpe.
What is the national dish of France?
Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for France is Croissant: buttery, flaky crescent-shaped pastry. Buy it fresh in the morning at a boulangerie; 'croissant au beurre' means all-butter.
Which dishes in France are vegetarian?
Two of the five on this page are vegetarian as usually made: Croissant and Crêpe. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.
What street food should I try in France?
Crêpe (thin pancake filled with sugar, chocolate, jam or other sweet fillings).
How reliable is this list?
The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, where you can also tick off the ones you have tried. Recipes vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.
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Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.