I grew up in Paris in the 15th arrondissement and have so many fond memories to share- the food is obviously something that the French are known for. I have had the pleasure of eating in many fine restaurants in Paris, but I want to focus on food and drinks that you should try that may be a little different and not so obvious. Most of them are sold by street vendors so are inexpensive. So here is my list of 10 items that I would recommend you must taste in Paris – let me know what you think!
1. Merguez sandwich – merguez is a spicy north African lamb (or lamb + beef) sausage mixed with lot of hearty spices such as cumin and coriander. It is delicious, a bit spicy and ranks as one of my favourite foods. The merguez sausages are usually served in a crusty baguette with mayo and harissa (north African spicy sauce) alongside some golden fries. Does not get any better!
2. Roasted Chestnuts – my family would always make a trip to the Bois de Boulogne in the fall to spend an afternoon picking up all of the chestnuts that had fallen on the ground. We would have bags of them and we’d take them home and roast them. They turn wonderfully soft when cooked. They were heavenly! In the colder months – there are many street vendors in Paris who are roasting chestnuts (chataignes in French ) on an open fire. Walking by those vendors – it is impossible not be enticed by the smoky, nutty aroma of roasted chestnuts. Buy a small bag and enjoy them whilst you are wandering the streets of Paris. A great snack especially during the colder months!
3. Oysters – a lot of cafes and restaurants will often sell oysters on the street – they are super fresh and have a distinct sharp taste. You can get excellent oysters in Paris and they are pretty much every menu, all year round. The best oysters are served in the colder months, as oyster season runs from September to April. If you like seafood then they are a must try!
4. Escargots – I know they’re not for everyone, but I think that if you want to try something a bit different then there is nothing better than Escargots. The snails are usually served in their shells and are cooked in a decadent butter, garlic and herb sauce. When in Paris you try something different!
5. Croque Monsieur – A brasserie staple of ham and cheese sandwiched between two slices of fresh bread and topped with melted Gruyère cheese. It is a truly elevated cheese sandwich. You can also try the Croque Madame which adds a fried egg on top of the sandwich. A perfect lunch that is available any café!
6. Parisian Flan – this humble dessert is hard to find outside of France. It is a rich, buttery shortcrust pastry that is filled with pastry cream and has a caramelised top. It is one of my favourite afternoon snacks with a nice cup of coffee. It is simple and all Parisian patisseries make them.
7. Salade Niçoise – this salad is a great light lunch that is perfect on a hot summer day. It consists of olives, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, tuna, potatoes with a vinaigrette dressing. It is especially delicious with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc wine!
8. Religieuse – this traditional French pastry is a small choux pastry balanced on top of a larger one, filled with crème pâtissière, glazed with chocolate and decorated with crème Chantilly. Its name roughly translates as Nun and it was invented in Paris!
9. Crêpes – both savoury (usually with buckwheat) and sweet (made with plain flour), are one of the most popular foods to try in Paris.
10. Diabolo Menthe – lastly – I will finish with a great summer drink. It is the perfect drink to sip whilst sitting in a café to people watch. It’s a favourite for all age groups and for me it is the perfect summer drink. If you want to recreate this simple beverage – here is the recipe.
Hope you enjoyed my list of food and drink to try whilst in Paris, is there anything else that should make the list? Would love to hear if you have tried any of these! Bon Appetit!
Featured imaged from: French Girl Daily
