Ten best brasserie foods in Paris

Hi Frugalistas!  Regardless of where I go I love to eat local food.  While there is no specific local Parisian cuisine, Paris combines the best of France’s food culture and history.  One of the best places to eat in Paris is at a brasserie.  Literally meaning a brewery, brasseries are more casual (and cheaper) than their restaurant cousins.  Choose wisely, and you can eat the best brasserie foods in Paris, and indeed all of France, at a great price.  Best brasserie foods in Paris

Foie Gras

Often brasseries and cafes will pair your foie gras with a particular wine

Foie gras makes a delicious appetiser (entrée) or a special light lunch.  Many brasseries will offer a specific white wine (often fairly sweet) to pair with your foie gras.  As a special treat, it’s well worth going with the pairing.  Foie gras is not the cheapest dish on the menu of a brasserie or café, but it is certainly one of the most luxurious, and a splurge you know you deserve.  Best brasserie foods in Paris

French Onion Soup Best brasserie foods in Paris

A good French onion soup is luxurious and delicious

If foie gras isn’t your thing why not try a traditional French onion soup (soupe a l’oignon) for your appetiser (entrée) or light lunch.  At its worst French onion soup is beef stock with onion in it.  But at its best?  A silky, caramelised, unctuous soup with the best stringy cheese bubbling on top.  Heaven in a bowl and perfect on a cold wintery day.  Just don’t call it French Onion Soup when you order it – if you aren’t confident in ordering in French, just ask for Onion Soup.

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Oysters

Many (particularly the more fancy) brasseries will serve seafood.  They will often display and plate up their seafood at the front door of the restaurant – right out on the street.  This includes opening and preparing your plate of oysters (huitres).  While there are an overwhelming choice of varieties, I like to order a mixed plate.  Regardless of which ones you choose I defy you not to say that French oysters are simply the best oysters ever…..

A plate of mixed oysters, Paris style

And the only way to eat them?  Freshly shucked, with lemon juice, bread and butter and a glass of something bubbly…..

Salad

A salade Lyonnaise – for one!

While it may sound boring, a French salad is a joy to behold and to eat.  They are normally huge – making them perfect for lunch or to split for an appetiser (entrée).  The only thing is which one to choose?  Personally I like salade lyonnaise, with croutons, lardons (bacon slices) and a poached egg perched on top.  Most brasseries will have a good choice of salads, but if you don’t read French well, do take care (and check your dictionary).  Unless you are very keen (or adventurous) I would suggest you don’t want to end up with salade aux gibiers (salad with chicken giblets…..)

Enough starters and light meals, lets get stuck into the good stuff!

Pepper Steak

Steak au poivre or pepper steak is a brasserie staple.  On menus you will often see it listed as steak with your choice of sauce.  I always choose pepper sauce.  Best brasserie foods in Paris

A simple steak au poivre

It normally comes with frites (fries), so what’s not to love?

Steak frites

Steak is one of those English words that is now common on French menus, although you do sometimes see it still listed as bifteck. The most confusing thing about ordering steak frites is what cut of steak to order.  I find it particularly confusing if I’ve been given an English language menu, because the cuts of meat are usually described by their American names – and I never remember what they are!

A simple steak frites and a glass of red wine is a classic French brasserie or café meal

My preference is therefore to order an entrecote de boeuf – rib eye beef normally served off the bone.

The other tricky thing with steak in France is how to order it.  Most waiters will suggest sangnant (rare) which in France is normally very rare by non-French standards.  Some waiters will look askance if you order bien cuit (well done).  I’ve seen fellow diners order their steak well done, and it seem to cut like shoe leather.  The safest – and for me the best choice is au point (medium).

The frites are easy.  They’ll be stringy and crisp, just the way I like them.

Duck confit

I love duck confit (confit canard).  I try and eat it every time I’m in France.  In fact on my last visit to Paris, I think I’d been in town for all of two hours when I had my first duck confit.

Duck confit

Duck confit originates from southwest France, but you will find it on every self respecting brasserie menu.  Made with duck marylands, it is gently fried in its own fat to cook, then pan fried at a high heat to finish it off.  This should make it deliciously tender inside, with a crispy outer skin.

It is often served with fried potatoes as well, so don’t order an entrée (appetiser) beforehand.  And don’t forget the cholesterol medicine either…….

Fromage blanc

If all that duck fat, frites and foie gras is making you feel a bit guilty, you can make up by having a lighter dessert in the form of a fromage blanc.  Literally “white cheese”, fromage blanc is a light fresh cheese (a  bit like cream cheese mixed with yoghurt) served with a tangy berry coulis.

You can’t go wrong with a fromage blanc

It’s very light, very simple but also very tasty.  Best brasserie foods in Paris

Clafoutis

Fig clafoutis served in autumn is a seasonal treat

Clafoutis (pronounced kla-foot-ee) is a hot dessert made from a ground almond batter with fruit baked into it.  You often see it with cherries, although it will appear with any seasonal fresh fruit.  It’s tasty, and normally not too heavy.  Served fresh from the oven it is a great, traditional end to any meal.

Café gourmand

Café gourmand (or gourmet coffee) turns up on menus even in humble cafes.  What exactly is served will depend on the café or brasserie, but what you will be served is a tasting plate of at least three (and sometimes more) little desserts, with your choice of coffee.  Best brasserie foods in Paris

This café gourmand was chocolate mousse, a crème brulee and a light little fruit salad

If you are planning a trip to Paris, you can search for the best Paris hotels here, or buy my favorite Paris guidebook for some great brasserie ideas.  These are affiliate links, so if you buy something I earn a small commission, but I promise it won’t cost you anything extra.

What’s your favorite Paris brasserie or café food to order?