Where to find Classic French Cuisine in Paris

When in Paris, do as the Parisians do. 

And that means - eating out at restaurants as often as possible! But where can you find those truly classic French dishes in Paris? We're glad you asked!

Paris is a culinary gold-mine of restaurants just waiting to be discovered. While everyone has their own preferences, for the sheer fun of it we wanted to compile a list of classic French dishes and where you can find them in Paris.

Duck = Canard & Champagne

Foie Gras, Confit de Canard, Magret de Canard... you won't go far in Paris without seeing these classics appear time and again on the carte. At Canard & Champagne, duck dishes take centre stage. Located in the beautiful Passage des Panoramas - a bustling 18th-century shopping arcade - Canard & Champagne cuts a suave figure in dramatic monochrome, with anglepoise lamps illuminating beech-wood tables and a geometric marble floor. Historic touches create a trendy mix of old and new, with original ceilings and lofty arched windows.

The French have been cooking duck for centuries, and there are many ways to cook every part of the animal. Duck confit is considered one of the finest French dishes, using a technique of preservation that consists of salting the duck meat and then using the duck fat to cook it. The Magret de Canard means the duck has been specifically raised for the production of Foie Gras - the pâté made from the fatty liver - whereas the Filet de Canard is your normal duck breast. Whether you want to venture into the world of duck dishes or you're already a fan, Canard & Champagne is a modern, chic way to indulge. Also as you may have guessed, they're pretty hot on Champagne too...

Canard & Champagne is the restaurant where you can try all of these together, and let's not forget some of the finest Champagne !

57 passage des panoramas, 75002 Paris

Metro: Richelieu Drouot

Crêpes & Galettes = BREIZH Café

The traditional crêpe comes from the region of Brittany - in fact, Breizh means "Brittany" in Breton - the old dialect spoken in the region. So there's really nothing more Breton than a savoury galette or sweet crêpe for lunch or dinner!

At BREIZH Café, a huge menu of delicious crêpes and galettes range from the classics, such as brown sugar with Bordier artisanal butter, to original creations like white chocolate mousse and Matcha tea, with strawberries! 

In keeping with tradition, savory galettes (made with buckwheat flour) are best enjoyed with a cup of cider at BREIZH - choose from a great selection including pear options and expect it to be served in a traditional mug.

Check out their new location in the 6th arrondissement to see why Breizh now has nine locations in Japan, two in Paris and two in their natural home of Brittany!

109 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003, Paris

Metro: Saint Sebastian-Froissart

1 Rue de l'Odéon, 75006 Paris

Metro: Odéon

Pork & Seafood = Bofinger

Bofinger has been a feature on the Paris dining scene since the early 1800’s, showcasing the very best from the region of Alsace. Oozing history, Bofinger was once the very first brewery in Paris - and the first to serve beer on-tap! Styled in the manner of a classic French brasserie, you can expect leather banquettes, mirrored panelling, stained-glass ceilings and brass accents.  Irrésistible.

Alsatian dishes include smoked pork, sausages and sauerkraut, but Bofinger also serves incredible lobster roasted in its shell, duck filet with duck foie gras and other gourmet French dishes.

5-7, rue de la Bastille 75004 Paris

Metro: Bastille

Snails = L’Escargot Montorgueil

Escargot is one of those French dishes that most foreigners are hesitant to try. These snails are usually served as an entrée or a starter, and you can find them in all their delicious, buttery-garlic goodness at L’Escargot Montorgueil.

Located in the heart of the Les Halles district, this restaurant is frequented by tourists and Parisians alike because they have mastered the art of preparing this iconic French dish.

If you are going to try them once in your life; this is the place to go, because L’Escargot Montorgueil uses only the finest quality produce. Utilizing two species specifically designed for consumption, they infuse the escargot with different flavors including the classic version with a pistou of parsley and garlic butter.

The most important part of enjoying escargot is to pair it with a perfect wine. Go for a Chablis, Riesling or Beaujolais!

38 Rue Montorgueil 75001 Paris

Metro: Etienne Marcel

Steak Tartare and French Onion Soup = Les Philosophes

Les Philosophes first became a restaurant during the early 1920’s, and today it is a ‘go to’ restaurant for the locals of le Marais - our lovely neighbourhood! Under the guidance of Xavier Denamur, a famous restaurateur in Paris, Les Philosophes  provides a great range of crowd-pleasing French plates.

We recommend two staple dishes here, the Steak Tartare and the French Onion Soup! As all their dishes are made in-house, with the best products  - including organic eggs and local meat and vegetables - you can't really go wrong.

This means that the steak tartare comes from local farms, and is the freshest of the fresh. They are well known for this dish, and if you are interested in trying one of the best in Paris, you’ll find it here.

28 rue Vieille du Temple, Paris 75004

Metro: Saint Paul

Boeuf Bourguignon = Au Bourguignon du Marais

A good Boeuf Bourguignon is a dish that should take over 24 hours to make, slow-cooking in a bouquet of herbs and vegetables, marinating in all those delicious flavors, slowly being infused with wine and stock.

This popular dish is often served up in winter time, when it’s cold out, but at the Au Bourguignon du Marais you'll be able to find it in the warmer months too - they just love it that much.

This small, unassuming restaurant brings the essence of Burgundy to the Marais. Expect all the regional classics dishes such as poached eggs en meurette (a Burgundy wine sauce), escargots in garlic, and the unmissable boeuf bourguignon. A perfect, traditional French dining experience which comes with wines that are - of course - 100% Burgundy.

52 Rue François Miron 75004, Paris 

Metro: Saint Paul

Frogs Legs = Rainettes

This might be a ‘leap’ too far for some, but for the adventurous among you, Rainettes is the perfect restaurant to discover the French delicacy of 'Cuisses de Grenouille.' Frogs legs!

Rainettes specializes in this typical Provençal dish, and proposes a variety of ways to enjoy them. Be brave and order them as a main dish, or opt for a tasting plate, matched with superb wines and delicious cocktails.

The menu at Rainettes isn't all about frogs' legs, so you can peruse a menu of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes, if you aren’t absolutely sold on the idea of tucking into some amphibious limbs. We get it. This beautifully decorated restaurant is located in place Sainte-Catherine, a charming square right in the heart of Le Marais, tucked away from the busy traffic.

5 Rue Caron 75004 Paris

Metro: Saint Paul

Entrecôte / Steak and Fries = Le Trumilou

Le Trumilou is our little hidden treasure! This is a true French restaurant that's never crowded with tourists.

Traditional, no frills attached, classic French food. The serving sizes are generous, and the style of cuisine is typical of a good French bistro. After 30+ years of business, here you'll be able to sample the classic Entrecôte, which comes with a delicious mushroom sauce.

How did we find this gem of a restaurant? Easy! It’s right next door.

84 Quai de l'Hôtel de ville, 75004 Paris 

Metro: Pont Marie

Raclette / Tartiflette / Fondue = Chalet Savoyard

If you've ever wanted to feel like you're in the French Alps while in Paris, head to Chalet Savoyard. These guys are the masters of anything to do with melted cheese, so naturally we like them (quite a lot). 

Chalet Savoyard focuses on cuisine from the region of Savoy, a territory shared between France, Italy and Switzerland where the mountains mean skiing in winter, hiking in summer and, apparently, the need for cheese. Lots. Of. Cheese. With all those outdoor activities going on, the locals can afford to get seriously cheesy, dip potatoes in it, smother it over bread, bake it with white wine and pretty much anything else you can think of. Those lucky, lucky Savoyards. 

In the heart of the 11th arrondissement, this ‘snow-resort’ themed restaurant recreates the experience of eating on a ski trip vacation, using all the recipes and high quality ingredients from the region and providing the most authentic Raclette, Tartiflette or fondue experience in Paris.

58 rue de Charonne 75011 Paris

Metro: Ledru-Rollin

Cassoulet = Auberge Pyrénées Cévennes

You don’t have to travel all the way to the South of France to try Cassoulet. Cassoulet is a traditionally slow-cooked casserole originating in the south of France, containing meat (typically pork sausages, goose, duck and sometimes mutton), pork skin (couennes) and white beans (haricots blancs).

Auberge Pyrénées Cévennes brings the specialties of this South East region of France to Paris. In a rustic-styled restaurant, you can sample a mix of cuisine, including the highlight of the menu - Cassoulet.

Usually served in the colder months in France, this traditional comfort food is filling, will warm you up and leave you with a fuzzy appreciation for the French!

106 rue de la Folie-Méricourt 75011 Paris

Metro: République

To make things even easier, we've created this handy map where you can see all the restaurants mentioned and their specialities! Enjoy!