32 Incredibly Delicious French Dishes
France is famous for many things—its beautiful language, charming towns, and luxurious beaches. However, it's French cuisine that's known and loved throughout the world, and it's unforgettable. Whether it's a simple croissant or a classic dish like coq au vin, French food always resonates with discerning palates.
2. Crème brûlée is the most famous and beloved French dessert. Once you hear the crunch of the hard caramel crust and dip your spoon into the custard, there's no turning back.
3. If you want to try classic steak frites (steak with French fries), you should definitely visit Le Relais de l'Entrecote, a Parisian restaurant that specializes in this dish. The establishment is popular with both tourists and Parisians, so queues are common.
4. Although "Moules frites" (mussels and French fries) is considered a Belgian dish, "Moules Marinières" is a French dish from Normandy, the name of which translates as "sailor-style mussels." Imagine, in France this exquisite dish is considered fast food.
5. Croque-Monsieur is a French version of a hot cheese sandwich. It includes ham and melted Gruyere cheese, along with béchamel sauce.
6. The chicken in the dish "Coq au vin" (rooster in wine) cannot be dry by definition. The dish is believed to have originated in Burgundy, so a yearling rooster (weighing about three kilograms) braised in red wine with vegetables and garlic is the classic recipe for "Coq au vin."
7. Escargot—snails—seems a strange dish to foreigners, but in France they are considered a delicacy. The snails are served hot in their shells with garlic and butter.
8. "Profiteroles" - a puff pastry dessert filled with vanilla ice cream and covered with chocolate sauce.
9. Potatoes are a common side dish in France, and in the southeastern French region of Dauphiné they are prepared with milk or cream, called "Dauphiné potato casserole" ("Gratin Dauphinois").
10. The word "soufflé" comes from the French verb "to breathe, to blow," and this dessert is made from whipped egg whites. Grand Marnier soufflé is made with the addition of orange cognac liqueur.
11. The best oysters in France are to be found in Brittany, from the town of Riec-sur-Belon they get their French name – belon.
12. Although "blood sausage" doesn't sound very appetizing, it is a traditional part of French cuisine. The sausage contains pig's blood and is served on its own or with a side dish like potatoes.
13. The croissant is also a French classic. This flaky, buttery crescent-shaped bun can be found in any bakery across the country.
14. Riette is a salty pork pâté. Serve with bread or crackers.
15. "Kneil de brochet" is a kind of dumpling. Invented in Lyon, it's made with fish (usually pike), butter, breadcrumbs, and lobster sauce. It's a light but filling dish.
16. In Paris, bakeries and pastry shops compete for the right to boast the best macarons.
17. If you eat raw meat, you want to be sure it's cooked properly. "Steak tartare" is chopped raw beef served with onions and capers.
18. Ratatouille is the only French stew without meat. This dish, which originated in Nice, is made with delicious Mediterranean vegetables like zucchini and eggplant.
19. Quiche is a savory pastry found throughout France. One traditional variety is the quiche Lorraine, or "quiche lorraine." It is made with bacon, eggs, and sometimes cheese.
20. "Pain au chocolat" translates as "chocolate bread." French bakers have mastered the ingenious combination of pastry and chocolate.
21. Niçoise salad originates from Nice and is a combination of lettuce, tomatoes, boiled eggs, tuna, anchovies, olives and beans.
22. Boeuf bourguignon is a beef stew originating in Burgundy. It combines meat, vegetables, garlic, and, of course, red wine.
23. Tarte Tatin is not a simple apple pie, but an inside-out pie. Before baking, the apples are fried in butter and sugar.
24. "Blanquette de vo" - veal, butter, and carrots cooked in a creamy sauce. The meat does not darken during cooking.
25. Duck is a common feature in French cuisine. "Confit"—a duck leg cooked in its own juice—originates in southern Gascony.
26. Crêpes (French pancakes) are found all over Paris, and you should stop and try them. Crêpes can be sweet or savory. The classic is "butter and sugar."
27. Cassoulet is a cross between a stew and a casserole, a true feast for the stomach. Originating in the south of France, the dish is made with beans, duck, and pork rind.
28. Bouillabaisse was invented in the southern port city of Marseille and is best enjoyed at Le Miramar restaurant. It's a fish stew with shellfish, vegetables, and potatoes.
29. Foie gras originates from the southwestern regions of France—Alsace and Périgord. Considered a delicacy, it is prepared from duck or goose liver. There is much debate about the permissibility of special—and not very humane—fattening of these ducks and geese.
30. Madeleine is a French gourmet biscuit cookie shaped like a scallop.
31. "Socca" is a pancake made from chickpea flour and olive oil, a dish originally from Nice. It's usually sprinkled with black pepper and eaten with your hands.
32. Tarte flambée is a crispy pizza from Alsace with sour cream, thinly sliced onions and pieces of lard or bacon.