French cuisine - 25 classic dishes you must try

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: May 2026 | Today we're going to talk about French food and French food culture. We're listing 25 French specialties and telling you about our experiences with French food. In France you'll find everything from boeuf bourguigon and coq au vin to croissants and macarons. Come and taste France!

What to eat in France? - a quick overview

We have previously written about Italian cuisine and German food, and now we turn our attention to French cuisine! In France, food is an important part of the culture, from simple bistro dishes to classic haute cuisine. Here are some typical examples of what to eat in France:

• Meat and classics: Coq au vin, beef bourguignon
• Fish and seafood: Fried mussels, oysters
• Bread and cheese: Baguette and a large selection of cheeses
• Simpler dishes: Quiches and soups
• Sweet: Croissants, macarons and crème brûlée

We have travelled a lot in France - our favourite country when it comes to food! By the way, did you know that gastronomy in France is listed as an Intangible World Heritage Site on UNESCO's prestigious list?

Typical French cuisine - 25 classic dishes

Here we list French dishes that are interesting to try, including appetizers, desserts and sweets.

1. escargots (snails)

Escargots is the French name for snails and is a popular delicacy in France. The snails are served au gratin in their shell, accompanied by garlic butter, parsley and herbs.

2. foie gras

You can't talk about French food without mentioning foie gras, the famous goose or duck liver. This delicacy, often served as a starter at festive meals, is particularly popular in south-west France. It can be eaten cold or hot and is often combined with something sweet, such as:

• chutney
• Fig compote
• Fruits
• Caramelised onions

While this prestigious luxury product has a long tradition, it is also worth mentioning that there is an ethical debate surrounding its production, and some restaurants have started to offer more animal-friendly alternatives.

3. French onion soup

Originally a dish for the poor, French onion soup is now popular as a starter or everyday dish. The soup, known in French as Onion soup, made on caramelised onions and broth and served with a cheese-grilled bread slice floating on top.

4. Lobster bisque

A velvety soup made with lobster, root vegetables, herbs, cream and brandy. This is a flavourful and elegant soup that is a must try if you like seafood!

5 Beef Bourguignon

A classic Burgundy stew of beef slow-cooked in red wine with onions, carrots, mushrooms and herbs. The meat becomes very tender and the dish can almost be described as French comfort food.

6. coq au vin

A rustic chicken dish, where chicken is cooked in red wine along with bacon, mushrooms and onions. Originally a way to tenderise the meat of an older rooster, today it is simply a popular dish with chicken.

7. bouillabaisse

Who doesn't love a delicious fish stew or fish soup? Bouillabaisse is a rich seafood soup that originated in Marseille. It is usually flavoured with saffron, fennel, tomato and orange, and served with aioli and bread.

8. pot-au-feu

This meat stew is usually considered one of the most classic representatives of French cuisine. The pot-au-feu contains slow-cooked beef as well as root vegetables and vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, celery and leeks.

9. duck confit

The dish Confit de Canard originated in south-west France. It consists of duck slowly cooked in its own fat, until the meat becomes incredibly tender and has a crispy skin. Very tasty!

10. Steak Frites

A simple but classic dish, with French origins, is Steak Frites. This dish, often served in brasseries and other simple restaurants, consists simply of fried steak with French fries, preferably accompanied by a sauce.

11. chateaubriand

If you like a juicy and well-cooked piece of meat, you might want to order Chateaubriand. This is simply a thick and juicy piece of beef fillet, often served with béarnaise sauce and potatoes. This is French food that has its origins in classic fine dining in 19th century Paris.

12. mould Marinière

On the French coasts, mussels are a popular dish. Moules Marinière are usually cooked in white wine, with garlic and herbs, and can be served with French fries and bread.

13. quiche Lorraine

A savoury pie from the French region of Lorraine. The pie is filled with eggs, cream, cheese and diced pork belly. Classic Swedish cheese and ham pie can be said to be a variation of this dish.

14. ratatouille

It's almost hard not to think of the children's cartoon Ratatouille... Well, this colourful vegetable stir-fry originated in Provence and can be served as a side dish, or possibly as a vegetarian main course. It contains mainly courgettes, aubergines, peppers and tomatoes.

15. Nicoise salad

A fresh salad originating from the Mediterranean city of Nice. It usually includes tuna, eggs, olives, tomatoes, haricot verts and olive oil or vinaigrette.

16. French potato salad

The classic French version of potato salad is usually served warm or lukewarm and usually includes, in addition to potatoes, vinaigrette, mustard and herbs. The salad is a little lighter compared to the creamy Nordic version.

17. omelette

This egg dish is perhaps one of the simpler dishes in French cuisine, but it is also a very popular dish. The omelette should be fluffy and buttery, and can be filled with herbs, mushrooms or cheese.

18. croque monsieur

Who doesn't like a hot sandwich? The French version, Croque Monsieur, is a double sandwich with ham and cheese, which is fried or grilled. The sandwich can also contain bechamel sauce and a little mustard.

19. galette

A rustic, thin buckwheat pancake from Brittany, filled with cheese, ham, eggs or other savoury ingredients. This is French food that is suitable for lunch, for example.

20. crepes

A type of thin pancake, sometimes served rolled with various fillings. The filling can be anything from cheese, mushrooms or prawns to fruit, chocolate, nuts and ice cream. A special and famous variant is Crepes Suzette, served in a sauce made from orange juice, sugar, butter and liqueur.

21. croissant

What a luxury to treat yourself to a croissant for breakfast on holiday? This pastry is made from pastry dough or puff pastry and shaped into a deliciously crispy crescent.

22. chocolate bread

If you want to add a little more flavour to your breakfast, you might want to try pain au chocolat. These delicious puff pastries are as crispy as a croissant, but also add chocolate to the mix.

23. tarte tatin

An upside-down apple pie made with caramelised apples. This is a popular dessert that offers sweetness, creaminess and crunch.

24. crème brûlée

A classic French dessert consisting of smooth vanilla cream covered in a crunchy layer of caramelised sugar. It's both creamy and crunchy, and very tasty!

25. macaron

Small, colourful almond cookies with a creamy filling, which have become extremely popular, not least on social media. Perhaps the winning concept here is that the cookies are not only delicious, but also beautiful and elegant.

French food in shops and restaurants

So what is it like to experience French cuisine first-hand in France? You can, of course, order French specialities in restaurants - from simple holes in the wall to fine dining restaurants.

If you are travelling by motorhome or have your own kitchen, you can also browse French delicacies in supermarkets and markets. Find out more about restaurants and other dining experiences in France:

• Dijon - 16 tips for the mustard city in Burgundy
• Kitchen French - all those French terms in the kitchen
• Shopping in French supermarkets - our experiences
• Life dreams and oyster fishing in the south of France

Wine and other drinks in France

Of course, you can't talk about French food without talking about wine. The country has some of the world's most famous wine regions, such as:

• Burgundy with Pinot Noir and Chablis
• Bordeaux with its powerful red wines
• Champagne with bubbly luxury

Each region has its own character, shaped by climate, soil and traditions. A glass of wine in France is not only a drink, but also a big dose of culture. In addition to wine, there are some other drinks that might be worth mentioning:

• Cider (Normandy)
• Aperitif pastis (Provence)
• Espresso (at the bar in the morning)
• Café crème (in a café in the afternoon)

More about food in other countries

Here you can find more stories about food in different countries:

• Spanish cuisine - 25 classic dishes
• Italian food - 25 Italian dishes
• German food - 25 German dishes
• Swiss food - 15 Swiss specialities
• Belgian food – 20 Belgian specialties