With the help of our snacker's guide to the city, you may put on your walking shoes and get ready to eat some of the most delicious cuisine that can be found on the streets of Paris.
When it comes to dining, Paris is well-known for its numerous restaurants that have been awarded a Michelin star, as well as its well-known literary cafes, such as Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. The city was home to an astounding 119 of these establishments in the year 2020, which placed it in second place – just behind Tokyo – on the list of cities across the globe with the most Michelin-starred restaurants. Nevertheless, in recent years, the Parisian restaurant scene has spilled out into the city's sidewalks.
That is true, the city known for its haute cuisine has its very own one-of-a-kind culture of street food, one that draws inspiration from both traditional French tastes and popular cuisines from across the world. The City of Lights is a veritable wonderland for foodies eager to indulge in some pretty delicious munchies. From classic French crêpes to late-night Turkish kebabs, the City of Lights has it all. The following are some of the greatest foods to eat on the street in Paris, and you may add them to your itinerary whether you like them salty, sweet, fried, or steamed.
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1. Crêpes
This famous kind of street cuisine can be purchased pretty much anyplace in Paris, and its roots can be traced back to the province of Brittany in France, which dates back to the 13th century. These delightful treats, which resemble pancakes but are lighter and thinner, are often served with Nutella or jam and are baked in a big pan or skillet. In addition to the many crêpe stands that can be found on the city's cobblestone streets, locals and tourists go to the city's parks and open-air markets for this simple treat. Even while it is generally agreed that they are best enjoyed without the use of a knife and fork, some of the "chic" variants may also be seen on the menus of fine dining establishments. You need to indulge in at least one serving of this iconic street cuisine during your time in Paris.
Where may one look for it?
● La Crêperie Bretonne, 56 Rue du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris
● Marché Bastille, 2018 Boulevard Richard-Lenoir, 75011 Paris
● Jardin du Luxembourg, Rue de Vaugirard & Rue de Médicis, 75006 Paris
2. Galettes
You are likely to come across the robust and adaptable galette, which also has its roots in the Brittany area, as yet another popular street dish in Paris when you are out and about seeing the city. On the other hand, in contrast to the classic sweet crêpe, which is produced from wheat flour, the galette is made from buckwheat flour, which lends it a taste that is deeper, earthier, and more savory, in addition to giving it a darker color. The appeal of this robust French snack is that it may be stuffed with a wide variety of delectable and wholesome contents, like ham, cheese, and egg, to name just a few examples.
Galettes are a famous late-night street dish in Paris. They are enormous, greasy, cheesy, and occasionally even include meat. One of the oldest and most charming streets in Paris is the Rue Mouffetard, which is also pedestrianized, and it is an excellent site to look for them. In addition, if you want to be French, you should follow the custom of washing it down with a pint of cider.
Where may one look for it?
● La Galetterie, 72 Rue Olivier de Serres, 75015 Paris
● AuPetit’ Grec, 68 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris
● La Petite Bretonne, 48 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris
3. Gaufres
The exquisite gaufre, also known as a waffle, originates from Belgium, which is a nearby country. It is the perfect treat to enjoy during the cold winter months or the hot summer months. And although they may be eaten with a wide variety of sweet and savory toppings, they are at their most delicious when topped with a dab of Chantilly cream, which brings a touch of airiness to the otherwise dense pastry. Surprisingly, these mouthwateringly substantial waffles may hold the title of the oldest street dish on our list from Paris. They are referenced in French songs written as early as the 12th century, which was at the time when they were sold at fairs and religious festivals. Enjoying them fresh from one of the many street sellers that sell them around Paris or at one of the several bistros that offer them is the ideal way to appreciate them, even though you can find packages of them on the shelves of local stores throughout France.
Where may one look for it?
● La Gaufrerie, 5 Rue Marie Stuart, 75002 Paris
● Street Crêpes Churros Gaufres, 65 Avenue du Général Leclerc, 75014 Paris
● Le Comptoir Belge, 58 Rue des Martyrs, 75009 Paris
4. Bao burgers
Bao burgers, also known as gua bao, are generally stuffed with pork belly that has been slow-cooked and braised, pickled greens, powdered peanuts, and coriander. Expats sometimes refer to them as "Taiwanese hamburgers," however they are steamed buns that are light and fluffy. These mouthwatering Asian delicacies are related to dumplings and became a great fad in New York in 2009, before quickly making their way to the streets of Paris shortly thereafter. This dish is a huge favorite not just among travelers but also among those who live in the area because of the contrasting textures of the beef, which is fatty and soft, and the bao, which is light and airy. The fortunate news is that you will not have any problem locating this delectable street cuisine in Paris anywhere in the city, since several locations around the city provide it.
Where may one look for it?
● Bao Shelter, 3 Rue Saint-Marc, 75002 Paris
● Siseng, 82 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
● Panda Panda, 21 Rue Juliette Dodu, 75010 Paris
5. Falafel
One kind of cuisine stands head and shoulders above the competition in the Marais district of Paris, and that dish is falafel. This staple of the Middle East, in which these chickpea patties are deep-fried and then put on flatbread together with veggies, hummus, and other ingredients, is so delicious that it may even unite meat eaters and vegetarians together. There are several variations of falafel that can be found all across Paris, including Israeli, Lebanese, and Syrian styles, among others. And when you are out and about discovering the city, they might serve as an appetizing and satiating snack for you to enjoy.
The Rue des Rosiers in the ancient Jewish neighborhood of the Marais district is one of the busiest and most well-known areas in all of Paris for acquiring this mouthwatering specialty of the city's street vendors. There is often a significant crowd waiting in line outside of L'As du Fallafel, which is widely regarded as having the best falafel sandwich in all of France (except Saturdays).
Where may one look for it?
● L'As du Fallafel, 34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris
● MI-VA-MI, 23 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris
● Chez Marianne, 2 Rue des Hospitalières Saint-Gervais, 75004 Paris
6. Ice cream
During the hot summer months, ice cream is the go-to street snack in Paris for both residents and visitors alike to cool down and keep themselves refreshed. In 1553, after her marriage to King Henry II of France, the Italian noblewoman Catherine de Medici brought the frozen dessert for the first time to France. The decadent treat was first made available to the general public for the first time in the year 1660 at Le Procope, which is the oldest café in Paris. At that time, all that was required for the dish was some milk, cream, butter, and eggs. Even in modern times, the venerable establishment offers its handcrafted ice cream, but with a broader variety of flavor profiles. Among them are lemon, coconut, passion, vanilla, chocolate, white coffee, and amaretto, which is described as having a wonderful flavor. You will, however, be relieved to know that the city is home to a large number of restaurants, bistros, and street sellers that all provide access to similarly delectable scoops.
Where may one look for it?
● La Glacerie Paris, 13 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris
● Berthillon, 31 rue saint louis en l’ile, 75004 Paris
● Raimo Glacier, 59-63 boulevard de Reuilly, 75012 Paris
7. Pastrami sandwiches
This mouthwatering Turkish specialty has successfully wooed its way into the hearts and bellies of Parisian gourmands. The town of Kayseri, located in the middle of Turkey, is responsible for producing the most well-known variant of this highly seasoned, cured beef product. It is interesting to note that the direct translation of the Turkish word for "pastram" is "being pressed." This is a reference to the method that the nomadic Turks who lived in Central Asia used to preserve meat by hanging slabs of it in leather bags from the sides of their saddles as they traveled. To our great fortune, however, it is now considerably simpler to get, in particular in the Marais region of Paris in France. Several of the eateries that are known for serving the renowned dish assert that it is the greatest there is anywhere in the globe.
Where may one look for it?
● 7 Au Marais, 7 Rue des Filles du Calvaire, 75003 Paris
● Florence Kahn Boutique, 24 Rue des Ecouffes, 75004 Paris
● Will's Deli, 28 Rue Poissonnière, 75002 Paris
8. American-style cookies
Multicolored macarons, madeleines, and straightforward sablé shortbread may be what put France on the culinary map. However, when it comes to the culture of cookies in the city, the classic type that is made in the American way is equally as popular among Parisians. In point of fact, over the last several years, specialized stores selling the well-known sweet from the United States have been springing up all over the place in the many arrondissements of the city. For those who have a sweet tooth and a penchant for cookies, there is a wide variety of flavors from which to pick, including matcha, toasted nuts, caramelized banana, and pistachio with white chocolate.
And they will not have any problem finding them, since the French is so obsessed with these crumbly American treats that they do not even have a translation for them; they just call them "cookies." This means that they will not have any trouble finding them.
Where may one look for it?
● Scoop Me a Cookie, 38 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
● Quatre Heures, 95 Rue de Ménilmontant, 75020 Paris
● Les Biscuits de Claire et Julie, 88 Rue Didot, 75014 Paris
9. Croque monsieur/madame
The croque monsieur, which originated in France in 1910, is a classic dish that stands apart from other grilled cheese sandwiches in several important ways. It initially debuted on the lunch menu at a Parisian cafe, where it was offered as a quick yet full meal for the local labourers; hence, its name may be roughly translated as a "bite for the men." This delightful snack is still consumed by many people today even though it is made with crisp bread, melting cheese, and smokey ham that is covered in Béchamel sauce. The delicious Swiss cheese known as Emmental, which has melting characteristics that make it a great choice for a sandwich, is used in cafés and stalls all around Paris so that the dish may be called a "croque monsieur." Its feminine equivalent, known as the croque madame, is a more delicate and vegetarian version of the dish that is topped with an egg that has been poached or softly cooked. It is interesting to note that in some regions of Normandy, this dish is also called a croque à cheval.
Where may one look for it?
● Brasserie Bellanger, 140 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010 Paris
● Frenchie To Go (FTG), 9 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris
● Fric-Frac, 79 Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris
10. Kebabs
The hearty kebab is the undisputed king of late-night food options on the streets of Paris, and it has every right to sit on the throne. The satisfying snack once again originates in Turkey and takes the form of a pita pocket stuffed with shredded meat and a sour sauce. The majority of diners choose either the spicy and creamy Samurai sauce or the sweet and creamy Algerian sauce to go with the meaty filling of their choice. Both sauces are described as being creamy.
When you are crawling out of the city's pubs and nightclubs in the early hours, you are never too far away from a crowded kebab pitstop. This is true regardless of whether you are craving a traditional doner or maybe something more daring.
Where may one look for it?
● Les 4 Frères Bedri, 38 Rue Louis Blanc, 75010 Paris
● Delices aux Mille et une Épices, 63 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris
● Le Généreux, 119 Rue Saint-Denis, 75001 Paris
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