For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Paris, France Travel Guide has been your connection to Paris's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Restaurants
For many people, Paris is defined as the home of "la grande cuisine.” The Parisian region may be the smallest, but its culinary tradition is one of the most rich and flavorful since medieval times when royal chefs competed to create the most elaborate dishes drawing ingredients and inspiration from all of the provinces of France. From classic French cooking with rich sauces and opulent dishes to Nouvelle Cuisine’s crisply cooked vegetables and health-oriented philosophy, there is something to satisfy just about every palate.
Parisians usually eat three meals a day: Breakfast early, when they get up, lunch around noon, and dinner at around 8 pm. Breakfast is usually quick and typically consists of a small cup of black coffee or a large one with milk or cream, croissants or buttered baguette. A more substantional brunch is widely available, and especially popular on weekends. Lunch and dinner usually consist of an hors d’oeuvre, a hot main course of meat or fish with vegetables, cheese and then a dessert. Most restaurants offer a fixed price menu that consists of multiple courses—almost always cheaper than ordering à la carte, though wine is usually not included in the price. Tipping is not a standard practice, though leaving one or two Euros is appropriate for excellent service.
To make the most of your money, save up for select fine dining experiences at up-scale restaurants (with reservations made well in advance) and think strategically. Shop for meals on the go like a native: grocery stores offer very drinkable wines and a trip to a fromagerie (cheese store) is a sensual delight. With a stop at a local boulangerie (bakery) for a baguette and dessert from a patisserie, you have a meal fit for royalty. For a fancy picnic, try a traiteur, a purveyor of fine foods ready to eat, such as jellied eggs and salmon, fish mousse, and stuffed eggplant. Explore neighborhood outdoor food markets, moveable farmers' markets offering the freshest fruits, vegetables, olives, and cheeses.
With so many choices, bringing a good food guidebook makes a lot of sense. The tall green Guide Michelin and Gault-Millau are the "official" food reference books of France, but the Time Out Paris Eating & Drinking Guide or the Zagat Guide to Paris are more likely to provide practical advice for the real-world traveler.
