How to Eat like a Local in Paris

There are few places in the world that have a gastronomic culture as strong as France’s, and the French take their food very seriously. Anyone should be excited to get to visit Paris and try the culinary delicacies available there but if you want to fit in with the locals there are a few dining tips to keep in mind.

In Paris, like in many larger cities in Europe, people eat late. Lunch is usually eaten around 1 or 2 pm, and dinner frequently doesn’t start until 8 or 9 pm. One of the things French meals are most known for is their length, too, so don’t be surprised if a meal lasts for hours. Parisians love to take their time and savor the food and conversation! Breakfast is usually a croissant or bread and some coffee. Lunch is frequently larger and longer than dinner, and the order of courses in a full meal traditionally goes: appetizer, main courses, salad, cheese, dessert, then coffee to finish. And lots of wine throughout, of course!

Spices and sauces are everywhere but usually subtle, allowing the quality and taste of the ingredients to shine through. Watch out for unusual ingredients, too — French cuisine incorporates nearly the entire cow/pig/other animal of choice, making for the surprise appearance of headcheese or kidney when you least expect it!

Many Parisians shop for food on a nearly daily basis, stopping into their local baker, butcher, or other specialty shop to get a day’s bread, meats, and veggies. You can have just as much fun exploring French food by stocking up at one of these little food shops and taking a picnic with you on your adventures. And the bread… no bread tastes as good as French bread, fresh out of the oven at a local bakery.

Cheese and wine are the other stars of French cuisine, and you should try a bunch while you’re in town. Head to a wine bar or cheese shop for a tasting to sample the wide range of flavors. Pick and choose a variety of dishes at a restaurant to get the fullest experience, or opt for the cheaper (and easier!) choice and go for the prix fixe set menus available at most restaurants here. Last but not least, try a lesser known Parisian specialty: hot chocolate, which is made from fine French chocolate and is even served in a bowl on occasion. A bowl of hot chocolate can be an entire meal in itself!