Paris Travel & Food Guide

Paris makes everyday eating feel like an art form. Between the grand boulevards and the river lie countless small bistros, bakeries and corner cafes where the pleasure is in the ritual as much as the plate. The city rewards wandering, so trade the checklist of sights for long lunches and aimless strolls through its villages within a city.

What the food is known for

French bistro cooking is the foundation—steak frites, duck confit, onion soup and a daily plat lovingly simmered. But the city's true everyday glory is its bakeries: warm baguettes, flaky croissants and glass cases of pastry. Cheese and wine deserve their own meal, and the open-air markets show off France's obsession with seasonal, regional produce. Take your coffee slowly, at a sidewalk table.

Where and how to eat

Each quarter has its own mood:

• Le Marais — narrow medieval streets, falafel, wine bars and modern bistros.
• Saint-Germain — historic literary cafes and classic brasseries.
• Canal Saint-Martin — a younger, trendier scene of natural-wine spots and bakeries.

Reserve dinner at popular bistros, treat lunch's fixed-price menu as the best value of the day, and shop the morning markets for a picnic. Many bistros chalk their plats du jour on a board only in French, so photographing it to translate helps you read every special and order with confidence.