Food to Try in France: Classic French Dishes

Must-Try French Food You Can't Miss

If there's anything that France is famous for (and believe us, there's quite a bit!), it's its food. From pastries and flans to delicious wines from its famous vineyards across the country, French cuisine is truly in a league of its own. In fact, there's a chance that you've sampled a fair amount of the best food to eat in France from afar.

However, as we always say at SIMOVO, you really haven't sampled the best of authentic global cuisine until you've actually visited the countries these recipes and dishes come from. While you absolutely don't have to eat frogs' legs or escargot unless you really want to, we seriously recommend you dive into the tastiest snacks, lunches, and dinners that tourists and locals enjoy.

We'll take you through some must-taste ideas from patisserie to boulangerie and everything in between - but remember, before you go ahead and explore France's taste sensations up close, you'll need an eSIM for France that will ensure you connect to the best available mobile networks while you travel. That means, say, if you want to find a new restaurant while out and about, you won't have to worry about running up data costs or hunting down WiFi hotspots.

Why French food is world famous

There's a real prestige behind French recipes and cooking, to the point where, whenever many of us think of fine dining or high-class cuisine, many of the dishes that come to mind are likely of French origin. As it happens, French cuisine is a real melting pot of all kinds of different tastes and influences - it's just brought together and delivered in such a masterful way that France has climbed to the top of the culinary leaderboard for many travelers.

It's thought that France was behind much of the revolution in developing fine dining and restaurant experiences, period, which means they've had longer than most to develop exceptional ideas and skills in the kitchen. What's more, if you're a bit of a foodie, you've likely heard of the Michelin Star, an award that's granted to only the world's best eateries. And, yes, the award is of French origin!

As you travel around France, you will find that the food culture is rich in strong flavours, with an emphasis on bread, exotic cheeses, and wine - and while much of the French food and drink culture revolves around savory before sweet, you must absolutely give fruit flans and patisseries a try on your next visit.

Regardless, French cuisine has traveled far beyond the country's borders, and for those of us in the SIMOVO team who have visited France in recent years, its reputation is absolutely well-deserved.

Best food to try in France

Narrowing down the best food to eat in France to just a few headings was a pretty tricky task. However, the SIMOVO crew was, as always, up to the challenge, and we've put together a list of five must-sample sweet and savory dishes that you'll want your taste buds to experience before you head home. 

What's more, you can enjoy these French classics almost anywhere you travel, whether you're in the big cities of Paris and Nantes or if you're traveling down Europe's West Coast. What we'd also recommend you do, if your diet requires it, is to check out our guide to halal food in France - to make sure that you are always dealing with a butcher or eatery that can meet your needs.

Without further ado, here's why we recommend croissants, coq au vin, ratatouille, bouillabaisse, and crêpes as must-eat treats across France.

Croissants

When you think of French breakfasts or snacks, you probably think of croissants. While many bakeries in the West offer these flaky, pastry delicacies, you really haven't tried the best until you've sampled a French baker's recipe. Named because of their crescent shape, there are very few places in France where you can't sample a croissant or two, and you'll miss the buttery, flaky aftertaste when you leave.

Coq au vin

If you speak even a little bit of French, you've likely worked out that coq au vin is chicken that is braised in wine. However, there's more to it than simply dousing poultry in a bottle of red! The finest coq au vin dishes combine local wines, mushrooms, lardons, and garlic to create regional twists on this old favorite. It is a must if you're checking out fine dining here.

Ratatouille

If you prefer something with a little more focus on vegetables, you'll want to try this authentic French dish, which, of course, gained even more global popularity thanks to a certain Pixar movie back in the 00s. Ratatouille is a traditional French stew frequently consisting of onion, tomato, garlic, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and olive oil. However, again, you are likely to find regional twists and even different takes on this recipe at different restaurants.

Bouillabaisse

French cuisine revolves around stews and soups as much as it does bread, cheese, and pastries, and bouillabaisse is a tasty soup that has origins in Marseille. It's a dish that's made from three types of fish - typically those that are caught from nearby harbor scenes, meaning the tastiest takes on the soup can be enjoyed in France's port towns and cities.

Crêpes

The humble crêpe is, contrary to what you might believe, more than just a pancake. It's an unleavened bread treat traditionally griddled or fried, and it can be served either with sweet ingredients or as a savory galette. Whether you prefer yours packed with veggies or fruit is entirely your call!

Other regional French dishes

As mentioned, there's just too much great food to eat in France to fit into this guide, so here's a lightning-round rundown of some other dishes and treats worth tucking into.

• Confit de Canard (a Southwestern take on duck confit)
• Pissaladière (a Mediterranean onion tart)
• Tartiflette (a combo of cheese, potato, and lardons, popular in the Savoy)
• Baeckeoffe (a casserole typically enjoyed in Alsace)
• Cassoulet (a meat and white bean stew usually enjoyed in Gascony)

While all of these are regional treats, there's an excellent chance you will be able to enjoy them from restaurant menus across the country, too.

Food tips for traveling in France

Given that France is well-known for its rich, sumptuous food scene, it's always good to pace yourself! Here are a few final foodie tips to keep in mind before you sample the tastiest spots from coast to coast.

• If you're ordering wine, you'll typically be able to choose between small and large bottles. We recommend trying a small size first!
• Always prioritize local marketplaces for the best cheese, bread, meats, and fruit.
• Keep in mind that many French eateries will close lunch service by around 2pm, so take advantage of the limited windows while they are open!
• Be sure to download and use an eSIM for Europe so you can easily find local food and drink spots without too much wandering around.
• Try and save room for pastries wherever you can - you're going to want to sample the delicious cakes on offer from street corner to corner!