Taste of France: foie gras, oysters, macaroons and many other dishes that we recommend trying in Paris. Bonus - where to find them and how much they cost.
"Perhaps, for the title of the capital of the world, which foreigners visit with the greatest pleasure <...>, Paris owes not only the splendor of its monuments, <...>, but also the deliciousness of its food supplies. Paris, without a doubt, is a city where most of all delicious food and excellent cooks, which the capital lends to all the civilized nations of the world. "
This is how the famous gourmet Alexander Grimaud de La Renier begins his "Gastronomic Guide" very immodestly, and we have no reason not to believe him. His "Almanac of Gourmets" is an ode to French cuisine, and it is better not to read it on an empty stomach.
Well, you all know that for the French, cooking is an art. Plenty of delicious dishes! We advise what to try in Paris and where to find these dishes.
Foie gras
Excellent goose or duck liver, high-calorie and delicious pate. Here is what gourmet Grimaud writes about her: "But the greatest gratitude of true gourmets <...> The goose earned it thanks to its liver, from which excellent pates are made in Strasbourg - a sumptuous pre-dessert dish. "
According to tourists, the best dishes from duck and foie gras are served in Chez papa... Foie gras for only 16 € can be tasted in a small restaurant in Montmartre - Seb'on... The place is small and very popular, so you need to book a table in advance.
On average, foie gras dishes cost 15-30 €. We also saw jars of duck and goose liver in markets and fairs - they are cheaper there than in a restaurant.
Oysters (Huîtres)
Delicate and juicy oysters are a must-try in Paris! True, this is an expensive pleasure. It is much cheaper to buy them in Normandy, especially in the market. We bought at the fair in Rouen.
The freshest oysters are served in a cafe Wepler in Montmartre. At the famous oyster bar Le Bar a Huitres there are many types of seafood plates (les plateaux de fruits de mer) - from 29 €. A plate of 12 oysters will cost 55 €. The serving is so exquisite that the plate with seafood and ice bars looks like a work of art.
Oysters are also sold in markets and oyster shops. For example, we saw these in Montmartre and Rue Mouffetard. You can ask to open and eat on the spot - it is much cheaper than in a restaurant.
Council. The finest oysters are considered to be grown in the fines de claires. If you take shellfish with you and want to open it yourself, choose the largest ones. To open an oyster, you need a special knife. However, we got by with two usual ones.
Macarons
Bright and photogenic babies have become as strongly associated with France as croissants. We definitely recommend trying them in Paris! Tourists advise by all means in Pierre Hermébut we think they are delicious everywhere.
In pastry shops, they are incredibly expensive - from 1.5 € for one crumb. But what a delight! It is also a wonderful gift for friends.
Snails (Escargots)
A delicacy that is offered in almost all restaurants, including inexpensive ones. Escargots à la bourguignonne - Burgundy-style snails - are the most popular, tourists advise them to be sure to try in Paris. They are cooked with butter, garlic and parsley, so they are drenched in a green mixture. They look and smell delicious!
According to tourists, the best snails in Paris can be tasted in Chez gladines - a 12-piece portion costs 9 €.
If you want to save money, buy ready-made snails in supermarkets and fairs, but still tastier in a restaurant.
Onion soup (Soupe à l'oignon)
The very onion soup that has become the country's trademark. It seems so simple - beef broth, sautéed onions, croutons and cheese - but so delicious!
You can try onion soup in Paris almost everywhere - we ate in the Latin Quarter as part of a business lunch for € 10. As an independent dish, it costs 9-12 €.
Frog legs (Cuisses des grenouilles)
Where to eat frog legs in Paris? This delicacy is far from being found everywhere. The French, contrary to the stereotype, do not eat it every day. According to reviews, delicious frog legs are served in restaurants Chez Andre and Roger la grenouille... Cost from 25 €.
We tried them in Vietnam - they look like tender chicken. Meat is not enough, it is impossible to gorge on them only.
Mussels (Moules)
A plate of mussels at an affordable price can be tasted in Paris in restaurants Leon de bruxelles... A serving of mussels costs 17-20 € and is served here with rice or French fries. A plate of mussels + dessert costs between 19 and 26 €.
We bought mussels from Lidl and cooked our own. It is cheaper than in a restaurant - 1 kg costs 6.5 €.
Vladimir Cheryomushkin: I really recommend mussels with Roquefort. Straight insistently. They bring a whole pot of cooked mussels. This is unrealistically delicious. <...> The dish is called Moules au Roquefort. Ask the locals where they cook them well.
Cheeses
A great variety of free forbidden things - that's what Paris is. Oh, these divine cheeses! Cheese and wine are such an everyday combination that you fully begin to realize la belle vie.
We bought delicious brie or camembert in a supermarket from 1 € for 250 gr. And it tastes better than in Russia! Still, we advise you to go to a cheese shop (fromagerie) or find farm cheese in the market. You will feel the difference. For example, we bought a farmer's Neuchatel and Camembert and compared it with a store one - the farmer's one is much tastier, it is made from unpasteurized milk.
Advice. Buy cheese that bears the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) mark for origin control. However, we didn't even bother with it.
Croissants
... and other pastries and sweets. The French are famous for their love of delicacies. Go to any boulangerie and patisserie - this is a work of art, not cakes! We tried homemade chocolate mousse - it's bliss. Croissants and pastries usually cost from 1-1.5 €, cakes - from 2 €.
Try also Quiche - an open shortcrust pastry pie with various fillings, drenched in cream and an egg. Simple, satisfying and tasty - now we will cook at home! We bought it in the market - from 3 € per pie. Liked with spinach and cheese.
Roasted chestnuts
Another delicacy to try in Paris is roasted chestnuts... The season starts in the fall, they are sold from October to the end of winter. On New Year's holidays, almost all dishes are prepared with chestnuts, they are added to risottos, salads, desserts.
In our opinion, their smell is cooler than the taste, but it's worth a try once. You can buy a bag of a dozen roasted chestnuts right on the street, starting at € 3.
What else to try in Paris
- Cheese fondue.
- Croque-monsieur and Croque-madame are French sandwiches.
- Beef Burgundy (Boeuf bourguignon) - meat stew in red wine with bacon, mushrooms and onions.
- Shrimps in a creamy sauce.
- Duck leg confit (Confit de canard).
- Béarn pork black blood sausage (Boudin noir).
- Dishes with truffles. Black (Diamant noir) is especially appreciated, which costs from 1000 € per kilogram. You can try it at the La Maison de la Truffe restaurant. In the Lidl supermarket we saw a 12.5 g jar for € 7.
- Aligot - mashed potatoes with garlic and cheese.
- Tartare (Steak Tartare) - fresh raw minced meat.
- Coq au Vin is a rooster stewed in wine.
- Pancakes (crêpes) with different fillings.
- Desserts: tarte Taten, cakes Opera and Madeleine, profiteroles, snowballs, crème brлеlée, soufflé, blancmange, mousses.
