If you’re at a loss for how to narrow down the best French dishes, the French public might be able to help you. Here are France’s favourite traditional dishes, and culinary regions, to taste and visit, plus some tips on finding a reliable restaurant.
While it is a well-known stereotype that French people love their own cuisine, the French research organisation, Ipsos, published research that bolsters this view.
According to their recent survey – which involved 1,000 French people aged 18 to 75 – they found that 92 percent of French people have a ‘positive opinion of French gastronomy’.
Despite a growing appetite for fast food, seven in 10 French people eat ‘traditional’ French dishes at least once a week, and three out of 10 said they eat them several times a week.
READ MORE: France’s national fast food: What exactly are ‘French tacos’?
Advertisement
The French also had some tips for foreigners interested in exploring their cuisine. Here are the dishes they said ‘best represent French cuisine to the world’.
#1 – Bœuf bourguignon
Almost four in 10 respondents (39 percent) named this dish as the top ambassador of French gastronomy.
Bœuf bourguignon is a delicious French stew made with beef braised in red wine, carrots, onions, garlic, herbs and sometimes mushrooms. Typically, it is left out to simmer for hours, allowing the flavours to really mix in.
#2 – Cassoulet
This one might come as a surprise to foreigners, who would probably expect to see something like French onion soup (or just soupe à l’oignion) or ratatouille further to the top.
Cassoulet was named by over a third of French respondents. It is a stew believed to have been first concocted in the town of Castlenaudary (although nearby Toulouse and Carcassonne also stake a claim to the dish’s creation). It typically contains pork sausages and duck, goose or mutton with white beans.
This hearty dish is a staple in south-west France, though it might leave you sweating if you order some in the hot summer months.
READ MORE: From crêpes to cassoulet: The ultimate food map of France
#3 – Blanquette de Veau
This dish uses veal, which simmers in stock and is served in a creamy sauce. You will find this at most classic French restaurants, especially the ‘Bouillons’ in Paris.
#4 – Confit de Canard
This dish involves duck that is very slowly cooked in litres of duck fat, before the final portion is crisped up just before serving. In most restaurants the thighs or legs are served, and you can also buy it in tins to crisp up and serve at home.
You’ll find it offered in restaurants across France, but it actually comes from the historic ‘Gascony’ region, which includes Bordeaux and much of the south-west coastal area.
#5 – TIE between Choucroute Garnie and Crêpes/Galettes
Perhaps surprisingly, the Alsatian dish involving sauerkraut with sausages, potatoes and other salted meats (which readers would be forgiven for associating with Germany more-so than France), was fifth amongst French people for the best ‘gastronomical ambassadors’.
Advertisement
It is most popular in eastern France, and as there is no single set recipe for the dish, so you’ll find plenty of different variations.
Equal in fifth place – and maybe more commonly associated with France amongst foreigners – was ‘crêpes and galettes’.
A staple in western France (Brittany and Normandy), you can choose from the classic French pancake, notably eaten during La Chandaleur festival, or galettes, the savoury alternative.
What about the other French dishes?
Surprised you did not see your favourite French dish in the top five? It might’ve made it into the top 14. Sorry to say that vegetarian friendly options are limited.
6 – Raclette
6 – Pot-au-Feu
7 – Escargots de Bourgogne
8 – Bouillabaisse
8 – Coq au Vin
9 – Quiche Lorraine
10 – Gratin Dauphinois
10 – Fondue Savoyarde
10 – Tartiflette
11 – Moules Marinières
11 – Ratatouille
12 – Soupe à l’Oignon
12 – Carbonade flamande
13 – Salade Niçoise
14 – Steak Tartare
READ MORE: Readers reveal: What are the worst foods in France?
Where do French people recommend visiting for gastronomy?
Ipsos also asked respondents to give their thoughts on the best ‘gastronomic’ regions.
The south-west, home of foie-gras, cassoulet, and all things duck-related, came in first place, with 41 percent of respondents referencing it.
Advertisement
The greater Lyon region, oftentimes crowned the ‘gastronomic capital of France’, took second place with over a third of respondents listing it. To be fair – the Rhône département (which contains Lyon) had 97 Michelin-starred restaurants as of 2024, with 20 of them located in Lyon city itself, according to Ouest France.
The land of seafood and crêpes (Brittany) followed in third place, with about one in four French people naming it, and it was followed by everyone’s favourite part of the country to visit at Christmas-time (Alsace), which has more than just sauerkraut to offer.
READ MORE: 9 things that make Alsace different to the rest of France
Burgundy, the home of French people’s favourite dish (Bœuf bourguignon) took fifth place.
After that, respondents mentioned Provence (tie for 6th), Auvergne (tie 6th), Savoie (7th), Normandy (8th) Occitanie (9th), Nord (tie for 10th), Île de France (tie for 10th), Corsica (11th), Aquitaine (12th), La Réunion (tied for 14th), Lorraine (tied for 14th), Antilles (tied for 14th), Jura (tied for 15th) and Dauphiné (tied for 15th).
How do the French pick a good restaurant?
To enjoy their favourite dishes, Ipsos asked French people how they picked a reliable restaurant. Turns out they are like the rest of us – 62 percent said they consulted reviews before choosing where to have a meal.
Google reviews and similar resources was the top way (53 percent) French people said they decided on a restaurant. After that, 45 percent said they used Trip Advisor, and 42 percent said ‘word of mouth’.
READ MORE: 8 tips for finding a good restaurant in France
Otherwise, popular guides in France like the famous ‘Michelin’ and the Routard both came up for 14 percent of respondents (respectively).
Meanwhile, eight percent mentioned ‘influencers’, seven percent mentioned the traditional media (e.g. Le Figaro, Le Monde, Télérama, etc), six percent mentioned blogs and five percent said the Gault et Millau guide.
The remaining five percent said ‘other’.
What do you think about French people’s opinion on their best cuisine? Tell us about your favourite (or least favourite) French dish in the comments below.