Gourmet heaven in Paris
Whether you are adventurous or not, when you visit Paris eating out has to be high on the agenda
. Paris, indeed France in general, is famous for its cuisine and you can rest assured that adventurous or not you are going to love French gastronomy; especially in Paris, where there is a plethora of choice in cuisine, location and price. From Michelin star restaurants serving Haute Cuisine, to a delicious French crepe from a street stall, Paris is brimming with eateries of all varieties.The excellence of French cuisine has developed over many centuries; one of the earliest recipe collections was written by a royal court chef in the Middle Ages and throughout the centuries the cuisine has been refined and improved to reach the heady heights of today's nouvelle cuisine.
So what can you expect to find on a typical French menu in Paris? Stepping out for breakfast and the aroma from the local boulangerie' (bakers) is enough to make anyone's mouth water. A typical Parisian breakfast normally consists of a croissant and a cup of coffee; of course the croissant is a French invention, the name meaning crescent' in French. French pastries in general are institutional in Paris; light and flaky creations such as the Pain au Chocolat, Pain au Raisin and the Causson aux Pommes are all delicious breakfast options.
If you don't have a sweet tooth at breakfast time, then the famous French Baguette is also a delicious option; served simply with butter and jam, or why not try a delicious fromage Franais' (French cheese), there are hundreds to choose from.
To find a great place to eat breakfast in Paris, just follow your nose; the delicious scent of newly baked pastries and bread will make the choice for you.
So you've had a delicious breakfast and spent the rest of the morning sightseeing and all that shopping and culture is making you feel peckish again. It's lunchtime in Paris, no small deal; for those of you who are just looking for a light or budget lunch option, then head to a caf for a toasted sandwich, more romantically known in France as the Croque Monsieur or Madame. The male version consists of grilled bread with cheese, generally grilled on the outside, and ham on the inside. The female version goes all out with a poached or fried egg on top. If you don't have time to sit down, go find a crepe stand, as many also serve this famous French snack. You'll lots of great Crepe stalls in the Latin Quarter of Paris.
In Le Marais district of Paris, which covers part of the 3rd and 4th Arrondissement on the Right Bank of the Seine, you can find some of the best Falafels outside of the Middle East. The neighbourhood is traditionally a Jewish Quarter, but now the community is mixed with Jews living alongside Algerians and Asians. It's a great place to shop, so a Falafel is just perfect whilst you shop on the go.
If you are looking for a more substantial meal then many bars, restaurants and bistros will serve an economical Prix Fixe' menu (daytime menu), however beware of restaurants that advertise multi-language menus', as these are generally tourist traps and hugely expensive. A Prix Fixe menu should be good value and will generally include French creations such as:
Quiche Lorraine, a savoury tart made with eggs, cream, cheese and ham
Steak and French Frites (chips), delicious served with a glass of French red wine, no more explanation needed. Although not much more sightseeing done afterwards!
Escargots (snails) are not to everyone's liking, but when in Paris! They are normally served in a butter or garlic sauce and served with some delicious French bread.
French Onion Soup, if you are visiting Paris in the Autumn or Winter months then a hearty bowl of French Onion Soup, with cheese gratinee topping and served with hot crusty French bread does the trick
French Omelettes can be the perfect healthy option served with salad, this light and delicious meal is a great option for those wishing to top up energy, but not feel too full up for the afternoon. Try the Omelettes in Caf Floral, this once famous haunt of the likes of Andr Breton, Jean Paul Sartre and Brigitte Bardot, still serves up some excellent set lunch options, although it can be a tourist trap in height of season.
Moules (mussels) and Huitres (Oysters) when in season are a typical lunchtime dish for Parisians. When you see them on the chalkboard you'll know they're in season and then Moules Mariniere and of course Frites is a no brainer!
Finish off your lunch with a famous pastry dessert such as a chocolate clair or profiteroles, high calorie delicacies not to be missed whilst visiting the city. Don't expect to lose pounds on your Paris trip, even if you are sightseeing all day.
Stepping out for dinner in Paris is like stepping out into foodie heaven, with its bistros and brasseries, bars and cafes, and haute cuisine restaurants. A rooftop table for two or dinner by the Seine; Paris not only provides the finest gourmet, it also sets the most wonderful scene for you to enjoy your meal.
Nevertheless, Paris is the home of the bistrot (bistro), which by definition means a small restaurant serving moderately priced simple cuisine in a modest setting, and dining at a bistrot is the best way to savour French cuisine in true Parisian style. Of course we are talking about Paris, so there is the modest bistro, and then there is, well the less modest bistro shall we say.
Aside from the bistros and typical French cuisine, you will find specialities from all over the world in Paris. So if one night you tire of Escargots or Steak and Frites then you can rest assured that you will find an excellent range of international eateries. In fact certain districts of Paris are well known for their ethnic gastronomy. We have already mentioned The Marais district famous for the falafel carts.
And if you find yourself in the 13th arrondissement then you have to head for a Chinese or Cambodian restaurant, here you'll find a large Asian population, from where refugees arrived back in the seventies.
Another typical, non-French dish that is commonly served throughout Paris is Couscous. With its strong North African influence, Paris is thriving with great restaurants serving this hearty and healthy dish of semolina wheat, served with choices of meat and vegetable. L'Atlas on Blvd. St Germaine, L'Oasis on 19, rue Ferdinand Fabre or Au P'tit Cahoua on 39, Blvd. Saint-Marcel, are all recommended North African eateries.
If you want to go all out and enjoy a very special Haute Cuisine dinner whilst you stay in Paris then expect to spend anything up from 60 euros per head, including a glass of wine each yes, that's a glass not a bottle!
But if you can afford to then it's worth indulging in one gourmet experience. However, make sure you do your homework first and plan which restaurant you want to try out and when. There is nothing worse than opting at the last minute for what looks like a good restaurant, but in reality is just an expensive restaurant; or walking into the best restaurant at 8pm to be told that if you don't have a reservation then you can turn around and walk out. So do your research, there are lots of online restaurant reviews guides for Paris and book before you arrive.
In short Paris has something for everyone, for all budgets and all tastes. You can stick to French cuisine throughout your stay, the choice is endless; but Paris, like many European capitals, is so culturally diverse that you can find excellent cuisine from all over the world. It's your choice. Just beware of tourist traps or you will be disappointed. Like any large city we advise that you do your homework before you arrive. Bon apptit!
If you are going to Paris on a city break- then we recommend a holiday apartment in Paris as the best way to stay.
Gourmet heaven in Paris
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