French food offers so much flavour and variety, and these are some of the most popular dishes you will find on the charming streets of France.
France is well known for its exquisite cuisine, so much so that many renowned international chefs have spent time learning their trade in French kitchens.
The French take great pride in preparing top-class food, from sweet treats to savoury dishes, and if you are a food lover, there is no doubt that you have tried French food at one time or another.
France offers a delightful range of street food dishes that can satisfy any craving, so there is no pressure to reserve a table at the finest restaurant in Paris to get a taste of the good stuff.
To get your mouth watering, look at these five popular street food dishes to satisfy your cravings.
5. Marrons glacé – a sweet delicacy from the 16th century
One of the most popular French street food dishes to satisfy your cravings is marrons glace or candied chestnuts.
This famous sweet treat can be smelled a mile away and will urge you to try it, so luckily, there are plenty of street food stalls offering these Southern French delicacies.
Locals have been indulging in these typical sweet treats since the 16th century, and since the ‘marron’ refers to the sweet variety of chestnut, it can be costly in some stores, but it is worth it. The best way to enjoy these sugar-coated chestnuts is with a cup of tea, just as the locals do.
4. Croque monsieur – the one for French cheese lovers
What many of us would call a ham and cheese sandwich, the French so eloquently call a croque monsieur.
This is one of the most popular French street food dishes you will find across the country and the world, in many varieties, and if you are a French cheese enthusiast, this is for you.
The sandwich includes two slices of Pain de Mie, boiled ham and plenty of authentic French cheese – on both inside as a filling and on top.
It is widely considered a typical quick and tasty French snack, so it is a typical street food nationwide. Cheese lovers cannot miss this one!
MORE: 5 must-try street food delicacies in Paris
3. Socca – delicious French-style flatbread
This exciting cross between a flatbread and a pancake is made from chickpea flour and is typical in France and Italy, from Nice to Sardinia. The chickpea flour is mixed with olive oil and water until the batter is poured into a pan and baked.
The baked socca is seasoned with salt, pepper and some olive oil, and in the south of France, you will find it is heavily peppered.
This is a delicious French street food dish to try when in the region, and is one that is ideal with a glass of wine, cheese and olives, so save some room for a socca when trying French street food.
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2. Croissants – flaky, buttery goodness
In France, you don’t always need to find the next boulangerie to get your fix of buttery, flaky croissants; just look around, and you will see this delicious pastry being sold everywhere.
This typical French delicacy is one that we all know, but of course, eating a French-made croissant in France hits differently. They are filled with sweet and savoury ingredients like chocolate or cheese, and one of the best things is that they are so cheap and delicious.
1. Crepes – one of the most beloved popular French street food dishes
The famous crepe can be found in every corner of the world, but nothing compares to eating a crepe that has been freshly prepared at an authentic French street food stand.
The classic way to eat a crepe is to sprinkle it with fresh powdered sugar and top it off with some zesty lemon juice, but you will find many sweet and savoury toppings.
The classic sweet and savoury combination works exceedingly well with the thin French pancake, and you can quickly eat these any time of the day – which we love.
Don’t hesitate to try other options, such as Nutella and strawberries or banana and honey; the possibilities are endless.
From the rich flavours of French cheese to the sweet flavours of candied chestnuts, French street food has many excellent options for food lovers. So, if this got your mouth watering, add these to your culinary bucket list next time you visit France.
If you liked this article, check out our article on ten street food dishes in France you have to try.
