One of the highlights of travel is sampling new flavors, and France is one of those places that entices visitors with its cuisine alone. And celebrated travel writer Rick Steves is not immune to the allure of French cooking. On his website, he says, “French cuisine is an adventure for your taste buds,” and a “meal at a good restaurant is a three-hour joyride for the senses.” Talk about a hearty endorsement for French food!
Of course, although Mr. Steves is a trailblazer in many ways, he’s not the first person to sing the praises of France’s culinary specialties. The regional cuisine of France is famous, from the northern reaches of Normandy to southern Provence, a colorful French region with intoxicating cuisine and rich history. French cheeses are regularly voted best in the world, French wine has a worldwide reputation for excellence, and France has the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world by a large margin. As of 2024, France has 636, followed by Japan, with a total of 387 (via Statista).
One great thing about eating in France, however, is that you’re bound to find incredible dishes outside of the fancy Michelin-starred restaurants, from a simple morning croissant to a multi-course meal at a small corner bistro. Being present and savoring a good meal is one of the unspoken rules to dine like a local in France. As Rick Steves notes, “I can’t imagine a richer travel experience, one that brings together an unforgettable ensemble of local ingredients, culture, pride, and people.”
Eating in France, a journey for your tastebuds
Although Steves states one of his favorite budget-saving travel tips is picnicking — especially delightful in France, where “picnics can be first-class affairs and adventures in high cuisine,” he has also learned to “enthusiastically embrace a long, drawn-out dinner splurge as a wonderful investment of both time and money.” While eating out in France can definitely be pricey, tourists taking a trip to France need to forget about the common food myth that all French restaurants are expensive. The country, even Paris, is littered with cafes and bistros that provide excellent food at good value.
To make the most of your eating out experience in France for time, money, and flavor, keep an eye out for spots frequented by locals. For example, avoid restaurants that excessively cater to English speakers — you’ll be able to get by with some basic French, especially if there’s a posted menu in English. Get more bang for your buck by ordering from the special, multi-course menu, “la formule” or “le menu,” as opposed to “a la carte,” where you order individual dishes. The daily la formule also provides a chance to sample a variety of courses, like cheese and dessert, as well as regional specialities you might not order on your own. After all, as Steves points out, food should be “a highlight of any French adventure” as it’s “sightseeing for your palate.”
