Must-Try Famous French Dishes, Food & Drinks for First-Timers

Consistently ranked as the most visited country in the world, France attracts more than 100 million tourists every year with its iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, rich culture, and diverse landscapes that range from vineyards and rolling hills to stunning Mediterranean coastlines. In France, there’s something for just about everyone.

But one experience you definitely shouldn’t miss out on during your trip to France is sampling the local cuisine. Known for using fresh and high-quality ingredients with plenty of regional variations, France offers a wide variety of dishes for every craving.

Need some help planning out your culinary journey through the country? We’ve got you covered! Check out our list of 5 famous French dishes and recipes that every foodie should try at least once:

One of the most famous French dishes in the world, ratatouille is a daily staple throughout the country with it  being both delicious and healthy. Thin slices of eggplant, zucchinis, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and onions are arranged to show off the signature colors of the dish, before it’s seasoned with herbs and baked to produce a texture that melts in your mouth with every bite.

No trip to France would be complete without sampling the iconic baguette, a long and thin bread loaf known for its crispy crust and rich flavor, especially with some cheese or butter! About 30 to 32 million baguettes are consumed in France daily,  and you’ll see people everywhere carrying a fresh loaf under their arm or in their bike basket. 

If you’re in Paris and want a twist on the classic baguette, then make sure you try the jambon beurre at a local boulangerie. Made with a baguette, butter, and slices of ham, this simple dish is just bursting with flavor, especially when cultured butter is used instead of plain butter to complement the flavors of the salty ham.

Best paired with a cup of hot coffee or tea, a flaky and buttery croissant can be one of the best starts to your morning, especially if you add some butter and jam with yours. And if you’re on the lookout for something new, the French have got you covered: try the pain au chocolat, a croissant variation with chocolate, or other pastries like caneles, macarons, eclairs, and more!

While France boasts many delicious wines due to its long history of winemaking, the most popular one is champagne, a sparkling wine with a complex flavor profile. Produced exclusively in the Champagne region under strict laws that require specific fermentation methods called méthode champenoise, there’s no better place to try a glass or two of this famous wine.

Now that your foodie itinerary in France has been finalized, all that’s left to do is to pack your luggage and book all of your travel essentials, such as your France eSIM and your accommodations in each city you’ll be visiting. Bon voyage et bon appétit!

Some of the most famous French dishes include boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin, cassoulet, jambon beurre, provençal ratatouille, croque monsieur, and bouillabaisse. Other popular French food and drinks also include croissants, baguettes, macarons, champagne, caneles, quiche, and cheeses like raclette, brie, or camembert.

In France, popular options for breakfast include coffee, fruits, pastries like croissants, and baguettes or toast paired with either cheese or butter. Lunch and dinner tend to be heavier, with a full meal consisting of an entree, main course, cheese, and dessert. Common dishes for lunch and dinner include cassoulet, boeuf bourguignon, ratatouille, quiche, & soups like bouillabaisse. 

For first-time visitors, some must-try French food include baguettes and croissants, which are served best when they’re fresh, or local cheeses and wines, where the selection is much wider compared to overseas. If you get the opportunity, you should also try a few regional dishes like the canelés from Nice or the coq au vin and the boeuf bourguignon from Burgundy.

Some famous French meals eaten daily include cassoulet (a slow-cooked casserole with meat and beans), boeuf bourguignon (beef stewed in red wine), ratatouille (a stew made with summer vegetables), bouillabaisse (seafood soup), jambon beurre (sliced baguette with ham and butter), and quiche (a savory tart with cheese, custard, vegetables, and seafood or meat).

No, authentic French food is not the same across all regions, and there are actually pretty significant differences throughout the country. For example, recipes in Southern France are influenced heavily by Mediterranean flavors due to its location by the Côte d’Azur, while famous French dishes in winemaking regions like Lyon or Burgundy are hearty and cooked with wine.