Infused with deep flavor and exquisite aromas, these are the most famous French foods you deserve to try today. The best part is that you don't have to be a trained chef to make them!

Alain and I have been traveling to France for years, and have fallen in love with everything about French culture. From the ancient history and charming villages to the bustling big cities and wine tastings, we have savored it all.
We especially love the incredible food and wine found throughout the entire country. I'll never forget the authentic French cuisine we ate in La Roche-Posay during our vacation at Chateau de Valcreuse.
While traveling around the country, we've learned a lot about French cuisine. Most recently, by visiting famous French food markets like Les Halles in Avignon and Lyon as part of a relaxing food and wine river cruise up the Rhone River with AmaWaterways. It also included wine tasting in Beaujolais, visits to a truffle farm, and a chocolate and wine pairing class.
I'm thrilled to share some of the things I have learned about the food that makes France famous for classic cuisine and Michelin star restaurants. If you've ever wanted to try French food, add these dishes to the top of your list!
Jump to:
- ๐ซ๐ท About French Foods
- ๐ฅฉ Boeuf Bourguignon
- Quiche
- ๐ Escargot
- ๐ Steak Frites
- ๐ฆช Moules Mariniรจres
- ๐ Sole Meuniรจre
- ๐ฆ Bouillabaisse
- ๐ Coq au Vin
- ๐ฅ Salad Niรงoise
- ๐ฒ Cassoulet
- Crรชpes
- ๐ฅฃ French Onion Soup
- Macarons
- Tarte Tatin
- Crรจme brรปlรฉe
- Soufflรฉ
- ๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ณ FAQs
- ๐ท ๐ฅ Wine pairings for French food
- Try these French recipes
- Read about our travels to France
- Learn more about other global cuisines
🇫🇷 About French Foods

This is the ultimate list of famous French foods - from sweet to savory and everywhere in between.
Within this post, you'll find stews, meat-based entrees, appetizers, seafood, sides, and even the best French desserts.
All of these recipes include ingredients that are popular in France. For example, escargot (snails) once popular only among the elite, are now found in almost every restaurant. Wine is a common ingredient due to the abundance of vineyards in the French countryside.
One thing you'll notice is that the ingredients are slightly different than in the United States. This is in part, because the food shopping culture is different. The French tend to shop at small local markets each week. They buy fresh, in-season ingredients from local farmers and food artisans, and use them in their cooking.
That's why some ingredients are more popular in different parts of the country. For instance, Moules Marinières (French mussels) comes from the seaside of the northern shore near Belgium.
Ready to explore this vibrant country through food? Check out the most famous French foods from the list below.
🥩 Boeuf Bourguignon

This hearty, wine-infused stew hails from Burgundy, a region in eastern France between Lyon and Paris. This is the best recipe to begin with since many consider it the national dish of France.
Boeuf Bourguignon is an art form. At its most basic level, it involves slowly cooking bits of beef in a red wine broth. It includes herbs and vegetables that grow locally (which is why the recipe changes based on the region it's from). Most recipes, like mine, include carrots, rosemary, garlic, and onions.
It's truly the ultimate comfort food!
Quiche

Anyone who has enjoyed brunch has heard of the popular Quiche Lorraine. This is one of the oldest French recipes on the list - you can find it in a 1903 French book, Guide Culinaire.
Quiche Lorraine features a buttery, flaky crust filled with an egg and cream custard. From there, you can easily make your own version, like my ham and spinach quiche.
🐌 Escargot

Everyone should try escargot at least once in their life!
It's a culinary experience you'll never forget. These snails are buttery and succulent, with the perfect balance of brine and earthiness.
If you get the chance to eat them in France, go to where this dish was created - the Burgundy region. This will give you the most authentic experience.
🍟 Steak Frites

The name steak frites refers to the entire dish - beefsteak and French fries. In fact, the name translates to "steak and fries" in French.
This is a recipe anyone can make at home. It's authentically French, especially with a bold garlic aioli on the side for dipping.
🦪 Moules Marinières

Seafood-lovers, put this aromatic dish at the top of your list. Moules Marinières are French mussels steamed in a white wine sauce with butter and shallots.
The flavor is understated just enough for the mussels' flavor to stand out. The best French chefs know how to cook them so they have the perfect texture, but they are simple enough to make at home.
🐟 Sole Meunière

Supposedly, this is the recipe that made Julia Child fall in love with French cooking. So it's definitely one that you need to put at the top of your list!
Sole Meunière is French fish that is delicately floured, fried, and served with a lemon butter sauce. You might find other recipes that include fresh herbs and spices like parsley and capers.
Being in the Pacific NW, I usually use the classic recipe with fresh-caught trout.
🦐 Bouillabaisse

Bouillabaisse is a classic French seafood stew or soup. It often features a combination of fish, shellfish, and vegetables in a zesty broth.
Historically, this tasty soup originated in the port city of Marseille, which is why you'll find the combination of seafood within it.
If you like Bouillabaisse, but want a soup that's a little heartier with some oomph and weight, you might try a classic seafood bisque.
🍗 Coq au Vin

An extremely well-known recipe, Coq au Vin translates to chicken in wine.
Actually, technically, it's rooster in wine. But the basic idea is that the chicken is cooked slowly in the wine-based broth. Then, some root vegetables and other ingredients are added until it has a thick, stew-like consistency.
While some people like to eat it in a bowl, most people serve the chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes.
🥗 Salad Niçoise

On the lighter side of things, the popular Salad Niçoise originated in Nice. It features locally-sourced ingredients like tomatoes, eggs, olives, anchovies, or tuna.
The dressing will change based on where you eat it. Some versions are made with only olive oil and spices. Others are drizzled with a classic vinaigrette.
🍲 Cassoulet

A hearty stew with meat and beans, Cassoulet originated in southern France. The most iconic part of it is the salty, dark brown crust.
This comfort food dish is made by slowly simmering the meat in the broth until it becomes so tender it falls part. Then, the beans and vegetables are added to it. You can either add bread crumbs on top or bake it without the crumbs. As it bakes, the stew will form a crust naturally.
Serve it hot; it warms you up from the inside out.
Crêpes

Another traditional recipe that's easy to find on brunch menus, light and fruity crêpes are a must for anyone who wants to try a popular French dish.
Lighter than a pancake, a thin batter is pan-fried, filled with cream and topped with a variety of ingredients. The most common toppings include fresh fruit and chocolate.
There are savory crêpes too. These are filled with cheese or meat.
🥣 French Onion Soup

Many people consider French onion soup to be the definition of comfort food. The briny broth topped with tangy cheese and crispy bread is too good to turn down.
The famous soup is relatively new. Historians believe it was created in the mid-19th century in Paris.
Classic versions serve it with grated cheese and put under a grill so it is served au gratin. Modern chefs add bits of French bread to the side or the top.
Macarons

Ever since she was little, my daughter's favorite cookies have been macarons. And who can blame her? They are irresistible!
Perfectly-baked macarons will have a crispy cookie shell filled with either flavored cream, jam, or curd. Some are topped with a ganache, but the varieties differ based on location.
These delicate pastries have a long history in France. Some historians trace them back to an 8th-century monetary in Cormery, France.
Tarte Tatin
If you love apples, then the Tarte Tatin will taste like a heavenly treat. This French dessert features caramelized apples served on a round pastry. It tastes like a cross between an apple tart and caramel apple.
The secret to an authentic tarte tatin is to use real butter and sugar, and make the pie crust from scratch.
Crème brûlée

Mmmm crème brûlée. This popular dessert is so rich and creamy. And that moment when you crack the crunchy top with your spoon! Dessert perfection.
Crème brûlée is French for "burnt cream." This dessert might look like a simple recipe, but to really replicate it takes time, practice, and a bit of finesse.
A baked custard is topped with brittle sugar that cracks when you tap it with a spoon. It's a dish that you'll fall in love with at first bite.
If you like creme brulee, try our Leche Flan recipe. It's a similar custard base with a caramel coated topping.
Soufflé

It's impossible to talk about French desserts without mentioning the delicate souffle. There are two versions: a savory egg-based dish and a sweeter dessert.
It's known for the delicate, puffed top with creamy custard baked in the middle. While it's known as a cake, it's made with beaten egg whites so it has a lighter mouthfeel.
👩🏻🍳 FAQs

This is a hotly debated topic, but many people consider steak frites to be the most typical French dish. You'll find it all over the country and it's one that almost everyone can make at home.
Traditional French cuisine consists of food made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The food is often cooked slowly. Entrees are served with tender meat and flavorful sauces. The desserts are delicate and served with seasonal fruit.
The first course of a French meal is the apéritif. In English, we know this as the appetizer. It usually includes small bites of food served with an alcoholic drink. Some examples include olives, peanuts, or canapé.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings for French food

The wine you choose to pair with French foods depends on which recipes you make or eat.
Here are some general guidelines to follow when you eat French recipes.
- Steak - Go with a Cabernet Sauvignon. Its high tannins and full body are a great match for the richness of the steak.
- Seafood - A light-bodied, fruit-forward red wine, like Pinot Noir, will match the mild flavors of classic French mussels and heartier fish. Whereas a crisp white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc will pair nicely with classic lighter seafood options, including a tuna nicoise or sole mouniere.
- Dessert - For fruity desserts, pair them with a glass of Sauternes, a sweet white wine from Bordeaux. Richer, chocolate-based desserts like a chocolate souffle would pair well with a Port wine.
Try these French recipes
Read about our travels to France
Learn more about other global cuisines
Did you make any of these recipes? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating and comment below letting us know which one you made and how it turned out. Thank you!
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