Street Food In Paris: A Taste Of French Culinary Magic

Cheese, wine, and bread on a sidewalk café table, a street food in Paris on a sunny afternoon.

Street food in Paris is a must-try. It takes a variety of French dishes and serves them in a convenient way for people on the go. The ‘city of lights’ does more than provide the fine dining and upscale restaurants that Paris is known for. There is a bold, rich street food that suits every taste and economic status. Paris is famous for its local street food that puts a twist on classic French dishes like crepes, baguette sandwiches and other international cuisine. You can eat the best street dish in Paris while strolling along the Seine or strolling through quaint local neighbourhoods.

Top 10 Street Foods In Paris

Here is a list of the street foods in Paris offering a mix of both traditional and international cuisines, giving a unique flavour.

1. Crepes

A cinnamon banana butterscotch crepe served at a café in Paris with a rich golden finish.

Photo: Andy Li / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Crepes are thin pancakes that come with sweet or savoury fillings. You can find crepe stands throughout Paris. The vendors make them fresh right in front of you. The thin batter is poured onto a large round griddle and spread into a perfect circle. After cooking for a minute, they add your chosen fillings. Sweet crepes often contain Nutella, banana slices, strawberries, or simple sugar and butter. Savoury crepes, called galettes, use buckwheat flour. They typically include cheese, ham, eggs, or vegetables. The vendor folds your crepe into a cone or triangle shape, making it presentable.

Cost: €3 – 7 / ₹300 – 700
Locations: Crêperie Genia, Montparnasse district

2. Baguette Sandwiches

Close-up of crispy French baguettes stacked in a basket, perfect for Paris sandwiches.

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Baguette sandwiches are fresh baguettes, which are the backbone of these easy yet mouth-watering baguette sandwiches. These French loaves are famous because bakers make them all over Paris. The ideal baguette has a crisp crust and a soft, chewy centre. Sandwich makers slice the baguette down the middle. They spread French butter inside. After that, they add simple yet great ingredients. To go with the phrase “jambon-beurre,” they also add soft, buttery ham. Vegetarian options include lettuce and hard-ripe tomatoes seasoned with French cheese. Many places add cornichons (small pickles) for extra tang.

Cost: €4 – 8 / ₹400 – 800
Locations: Caractère de Cochon, Marais district

3. Falafels

Close-up of falafel balls, a popular international street food choice available in Paris.

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Falafel is made from chickpeas and is a kind of fritter. It tastes very delicious and comes from Middle Eastern cuisine. Vendors make them by grinding chickpeas with herbs and spices. They fry the chickpea mixture until it is golden brown. It is best served when it is fresh and hot, wrapped in a pita and filled with fried falafel. Along with this, vendors also add finely chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage and a healthy drizzle of tahini and hot sauce. Many restaurants serve pickled vegetables, which add a very strong mix of Western and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Cost: €6 – 9 / ₹600 – 900
Locations: L’As du Fallafel, Rue des Rosiers, Marais district

4. Croissants

Flaky golden croissants are displayed in a bakery window, fresh and ready to be served.

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Croissants are a symbol of French baking skills and a common street food in Paris. Bakers fold butter into the dough and roll it out several times. This process results in several thin layers. The dough is shaped into a crescent shape, which is then baked. A croissant is flaky and crisp on the outside, with a soft, buttery centre and visible layers inside. Only the best croissants are made with high-quality French butter, which accounts for their rich flavour. Croissants are baked with fresh butter, and their scent spreads throughout the area early in the morning.

Cost: €1.20 – 2.50 / ₹120 – 250
Locations: Du Pain et des Idées, Canal Saint-Martin area

5. Croque-Monsieur

A hot Croque-Monsieur sandwich served with a golden crispy cheese and layers of ham.

Photo: Kimberly Vardeman / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

The Croque-Monsieur sandwich is a new twist on the grilled cheese sandwich, served in high-end restaurants in Paris. Parisian street vendors and small cafes serve this classic dish. The chef first prepares thick slices of white bread. The inside is smeared with creamy béchamel sauce, followed by layers of ham and Gruyère cheese. Some places also add Dijon mustard to give it a unique flavour. For the final touch, the grilled sandwich is garnished with a generous amount of béchamel sauce. You will find croque-monsieurs in cafés, bistros, and street food windows. They make a perfect lunch or hearty snack while exploring Paris.

Cost: €5 – 8 / ₹500 – 800
Locations: Café Marlette, 9th arrondissement

6. Souvlakis

A glimpse of delicious souvlaki skewers with pita bread served on paper at a street food stall.

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Souvlakis are recognized worldwide and emphasize the diverse international cuisine of the city. Vendors make great efforts to procure the finest meats such as chicken, pork or lamb. The meat is marinated using the right amount of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and herbs. Next, the meat is put on skewers, grilled and cooked until it reaches the desired tenderness and char. TAlong with this, fresh, colourful vegetables such as tomatoes, onions and lettuce are added. It would be wrong not to mention the fabulous tzatziki sauce (yoghurt mixed with cucumbers and garlic) that many vendors add.

Cost: €7 – 10 / ₹700 – 1000
Locations: Filakia, Montorgueil neighbourhood

7. Tacos

Glimpse of Tacos filled with different fillings and soft tortilla, placed on a big stainless steel tray.

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French tacos represent a different style of street food in Paris. They are better defined as a grilled burrito or a filled flatbread. Vendors start with a luxurious flour tortilla and go as far as using it as a container. They fill it with meat options like chicken, beef or lamb. Most places also offer halal meat to cater to customers from different backgrounds. They also put French fries straight inside and cheese sauce on everything. Many sauces are added, from mayo to spicy harissa. Next, they fold the tortilla into a rectangular package and grill.

Cost: €6 – 9 / ₹600 – 900
Best Paired With: Soft drinks
Locations: Le Diamant, Belleville area

8. Bagels At Bagelstein

Assorted plain bagels stacked in a beige ceramic bowl, a street food in Paris, France.

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Bagels have created a unique market in the Parisian fast-food world. Bagelstein is at the forefront of this market with several stores around Paris. The bagels come in a variety of flavours such as plain, sesame, poppy seed and everything bagel. Each Bagelstein chef slices the bagel. They add spreadable cream cheese, butter or a flavoured middle. There are also fillings such as smoked salmon with dill, tuna and capers, chicken and avocado, as well as plenty of vegetarian options. The best vegetarian food in Paris includes veggie-filled bagels with grilled vegetables, hummus and fresh herbs.

Cost: €5 – 9 / ₹ 500 – 900
Locations: Bagelstein, multiple locations across Paris

9. Fish And Chips

View of crispy fried fish and golden chips served with peas, a street food in Paris, France.

Photo: Grendelkhan / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Fish and chips, a British comfort food served in some of Paris’s best street food places. The French version makes this classic even better. Vendors choose fish from high-quality stocks like cod, haddock or even some local selections. They dip the fish pieces in a light batter that uses beer or sparkling water. Fish and chips are served in paper cones or cardboard boats. Homemade tartar sauce is included for dipping. French twists often have a gourmet touch. You can find batter with herbs. Tartar sauce may also contain capers or cornichons. Some places offer aioli (garlic mayo) as an optional dip.

Cost: €8 – 12 / ₹ 800 – 1200
Locations: The Sunken Chip, Canal Saint-Martin area

10. Burgers And French Fries

A cheeseburger with fries on a tray, served with sauce at a casual diner, a street food in Paris.

Photo: Kunal Lakhotia / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

French chefs have taken this American classic and put their special spin on it. They start with high-grade beef from French farms. They make thick, juicy patties that they cook to order, most of the time medium or medium-rare. The patties are placed on artisan bread rolls that come from a local bakery, not factory-made. French cheeses like Comté, Roquefort or Raclette provide unique flavours, as well as fresh, house-made vegetables. Sauces can vary from truffle mayo to caramelised onion compote. Fries are made with hand-cut potatoes that are double-fried to perfect crispiness.

Cost: €9 – 15 / ₹900 – 1500
Locations: Big Fernand, multiple locations across Paris

Street food in Paris offers visitors an authentic taste of French cuisine without the formality or cost of traditional dining. From desserts to main dishes, everyone’s cravings are easily satisfied. These pieces of food not only reflect the essence of Paris but also reflect influences from other cultures. Next time you are in the city of light, be sure to enjoy the thrilling street food culture. Plan a trip today with TripXL.

Cover Photo: Joe deSousa / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

The Marché des Enfants Rouges is Paris' oldest covered market (since 1628) and serves traditional French and international street food. It is Paris's oldest covered market and has many food stalls. It is especially busy on weekends.
Most vendors in tourist areas speak basic English, so making a few gestures or using simple phrases is very effective. It is useful to learn "Je voudrais…" (I would like to...) and the names of different foods. Many carts use photos or display English menus.
Yes. Vegan crepes, falafel joints and plant-based burger joints are a few staples that Paris has welcomed. The areas around Canal Saint-Martin and the 11th arrondissement are particularly great for vegan street food.
For street food in Paris, plan for €8 to €15 per meal. While items like croissants may set you back €1-2, a good sandwich or falafel plate is a more substantial meal, costing roughly €6 to €10.
The best street food places in Paris are the Marais, Canal Saint-Martin, Belleville, and Montmartre. Every neighbourhood has its specialities and vibe, which is great for culinary tourism.

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