Paris street food: the best snacks and where to find them

When it comes to food, Paris is known for its famous literary cafés like Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, and its many Michelin-starred restaurants. In fact, the city was home to a whopping 136 of these in 2024; placing it second – after Tokyo – on the list of cities with the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world.

However, in recent years, the Paris food scene has moved to the streets.

That’s right, the city of haute cuisine has developed its own unique street food culture based on both classic French flavors and international favorites. From traditional French crêpes to late-night Turkish kebabs, the City of Lights is a paradise for foodies looking to indulge in some seriously tasty snacks.

So, whether you prefer them sweet, savory, fried, or steamed, here are some of the best street eats to add to your Paris bucket list:

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1. Crêpes

Originating from France’s Brittany region during the 13^th century, this iconic Paris street food can be found almost anywhere across the city. These light, thin pancake-like delights are cooked in a large pan or skillet and often served with Nutella or jam.

Aside from the many street vendors dotted throughout Paris, the city’s parks and outdoor markets are other popular spots to enjoy a humble crêpe. And while the prevailing consensus is that they are best served without a knife and fork, some of the more chic varieties can also be found at restaurants. Needless to say, this is one Paris street food that you can’t visit the city without trying.

Where to find crêpes in Paris

• La Crêperie Bretonne, 56 Rue du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris
• Marché Bastille, 2018 Boulevard Richard-Lenoir, 75011 Paris
• Jardin du Luxembourg, Rue de Vaugirard & Rue de Médicis, 75006 Paris

2. Galettes

Also riginating from the Brittany region, the hearty and versatile galette is another popular Paris street food you will encounter while exploring the city. However, unlike the traditional sweet crêpe, which is made from wheat flour, the galette is made from buckwheat flour, which gives it a richer and more savory flavor, not to mention a darker color.

The beauty of this hearty French snack is that you can load it with all kinds of delicious and nutritious fillings, such as ham, cheese, and egg.

Huge, greasy, cheesy, and sometimes meaty, galettes are popular late-night street food in Paris. A great place to find them is along the pedestrianized Rue Mouffetard, one of Paris’s oldest and most picturesque streets. And if you want to follow the French tradition (and are over 18!), you should wash them down with a pint of cider.

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Where to find galettes in Paris

• La Galetterie, 72 Rue Olivier de Serres, 75015 Paris
• AuPetit’ Grec, 68 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris
• La Petite Bretonne, 48 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris

3. Gaufres

Hailing from neighboring Belgium, the heavenly gaufre (or waffle) is the ideal snack to enjoy during the winter or summer months. And while they can be enjoyed with all manner of sweet and savory toppings, they are best served with a dollop of Chantilly cream to add a little lightness to the rich pastry.

Surprisingly, these delicious thick waffles might actually be the oldest Paris street food on our list. In fact, they are mentioned in French poems from as early as the 12^th century, when they were sold at fairs and religious festivals.

Although you will find packages of them on the shelves at local supermarkets across France, it is best to enjoy them fresh from street vendors around Paris or at one of the many bistros that serve them.

Where to find gaufres in Paris

• La Gaufrerie, 5 Rue Marie Stuart, 75002 Paris
• Street Crêpes Churros Gaufres, 65 Avenue du Général Leclerc, 75014 Paris
• Le Comptoir Belge, 58 Rue des Martyrs, 75009 Paris

4. Bao burgers

Often referred to by expats as Taiwanese hamburgers, bao burgers (or gua bao) are soft and fluffy steamed buns that are traditionally filled with slow-cooked, braised pork belly, pickled greens, powdered peanut, and coriander.

Cousins to dumplings, these tasty Asian delights became a huge trend in New York back in 2009, before reaching the streets of Paris soon after. The contrasting textures of the rich and tender meat against the light and airy bao make this an absolute hit with tourists and locals alike.

Fortunately, you won’t have any trouble finding this delicious Paris street food across the city, with numerous venues serving them.

Where to find bao burgers in Paris

• Siseng, 82 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Panda Panda, 21 Rue Juliette Dodu, 75010 Paris

5. Falafel

In the popular Marais neighborhood of Paris, one street food rules them all – the falafel. In fact, this Middle Eastern specialty, which sees these deep-fried chickpea patties placed in flatbread along with vegetables, hummus, and other ingredients is even tasty enough to bring carnivores and vegans together.

You will find several different types of falafel dotted throughout Paris, including Israeli, Lebanese, and Syrian varieties. And these make for a tantalizing and filling snack while you’re out and about exploring the city.

One of the most popular spots to pick up this delicious Paris street food is along the Rue des Rosiers in the old Jewish quarter of the Marais district. Every day (except Saturdays) a long line snakes outside of L’As du Fallafel, which serves the most famous falafel sandwich in all of France.

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Where to find falafel in Paris

• L’As du Fallafel, 34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris
• Chez Marianne, 2 Rue des Hospitalières Saint-Gervais, 75004 Paris

6. Ice cream

Ice cream is the go-to Paris street food to keep locals and tourists alike refreshed during the hot summer months.

Italian noblewoman Catherine de Medici first introduced France to the frozen dessert in 1553, following her marriage to King Henry II of France. The delicacy was first accessible to the general public in 1660 when it was served at Le Procope, the oldest café in Paris. Back then, the recipe simply called for milk, cream, butter, and eggs.

The legendary venue still serves its artisanal ice cream today, albeit in a wider assortment of flavors. These include lemon, coconut, passion, vanilla, chocolate, white coffee, and heavenly amaretto. Luckily, though, you can find equally delicious scoops on offer at numerous street vendors, bistros, and restaurants across the city.

Where to find ice cream in Paris

• La Glacerie Paris, 13 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris
• Berthillon, 31 rue saint louis en l’ile, 75004 Paris
• Raimo Glacier, 59-63 boulevard de Reuilly, 75012 Paris

Allianz Care

Moving country doesn’t just mean a change of scene – your diet usually changes, too. Trying new recipes, dining out, and experiencing another country’s cuisine is exciting, but what about your digestive system? Read Allianz Care’s report on their Expat gut health survey to understand how moving abroad affects nutrition.

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7. Pastrami sandwiches

This delectable Turkish delicacy has charmed its way into the mouths and stomachs of Parisians. The most famous variety of this highly seasoned, cured beef is made in the town of Kayseri in central Türkiye.

Interestingly, the term pastırma literally means ‘being pressed’ in Turkish. This refers to the way the nomad Turks of Central Asia used to preserve the meat by placing slabs of it in leather bags on the sides of their saddles as they rode.

Thankfully, however, it’s much easier to come by today, especially in the Marais neighborhood of Paris. In fact, many of the restaurants that serve the iconic delicacy claim that it is the best in the world!

Where to find pastrami sandwiches in Paris

• 7 Au Marais, 7 Rue des Filles du Calvaire, 75003 Paris
• Will’s Deli, 28 Rue Poissonnière, 75002 Paris

8. American-style cookies

France may be famous for its colorful macarons, madeleines, and simple shortbread sablé. But when it comes to the city’s cookie culture, the traditional American-style variety is just as trendy among Parisians. In fact, in recent years, bespoke shops selling the popular US treat have been popping up everywhere across the city’s various arrondissements.

Cookie lovers can choose all kinds of unique and creative flavors, such as matcha, toasted pecans, caramelized banana, and pistachio with white chocolate.

And they won’t have trouble spotting them either, because the French are so crazy about these crumbly American delights that they have no translation for them: they simply call them cookies.

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Where to find American-style cookies in Paris

• Scoop Me a Cookie, 38 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
• Quatre Heures, 95 Rue de Ménilmontant, 75020 Paris
• Les Biscuits de Claire et Julie, 88 Rue Didot, 75014 Paris

9. Croque monsieur/madame

So much more than your average grilled cheese sandwich, the croque monsieur has been an institution in France since 1910.

It first appeared on the lunch menu at a Parisian bistro where it was served as a quick but hearty lunch for the local workmen; hence its rough translation as a ‘bite for the men’. Made with crunchy bread, melted cheese, and smoky ham slathered in Béchamel sauce, this delicious snack remains a popular snack today.

However, for it to be a real croque monsieur, cafés and stalls around Paris use the tasty Swiss cheese known as Emmental, which has melting properties that are ideal for a sandwich. Its female counterpart, the croque madame, is a lighter, vegetarian version that is served with a poached or lightly fried egg on top. Interestingly, this is also known as a croque à cheval in some parts of Normandy.

Where to find croque monsieur in Paris

• Brasserie Bellanger, 140 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75010 Paris
• Fric-Frac, 79 Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris

10. Kebabs

If there is one king of late-night Paris street food, then the hearty kebab sits rightfully on the throne. Once again hailing from Türkiye, the filling snack consists of a pita pocket of shredded meat and tangy sauce. Most people opt for either the sweet and creamy Algerian sauce or the spicy and creamy Samurai sauce to accompany the meaty filling of their choice.

And whether you crave a classic doner, or perhaps something more adventurous, you are never too far away from a bustling kebab pitstop when you crawl out of the city’s bars and nightclubs in the early hours.

Where to find kebabs in Paris

• Les 4 Frères Bedri, 38 Rue Louis Blanc, 75010 Paris
• Delices aux Mille et une Épices, 63 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris
• Le Généreux, 119 Rue Saint-Denis, 75001 Paris

Final note

Now that you’ve learned about some of the culinary delights of Paris, you may be wondering how moving abroad affects your digestive health. According to the Allianz Care Expat gut health survey report, many internationals find they need to adapt to eating out more, cooking less, and trying new ingredients. These changes can lead to digestion issues and increased gut-related symptoms.

The survey, which took responses from 3,000 expats of several different nationalities and resident countries, revealed that 77% reported a negative impact on their daily lives due to digestive symptoms. Additionally, expats often eat more processed and convenience food than in their home country, and find it difficult to source familiar ingredients. The insights in the report can help you enjoy your new country’s cuisine while maintaining a healthy digestive system.