If you’re a foodie traveling to Paris, you’ll want to explore the delicious Parisian food just as much as you’ll want to see the iconic sights, like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. In the City of Lights, that doesn’t just mean eating at the best French restaurants and famous Paris cafés. It means discovering hidden gems, learning about the food scene and French cuisine, and exploring the best food streets in Paris.

I have been fortunate to have been able to live and eat like a local in Paris. I have not only visited the following Paris food streets, but I have spent time getting to know each one. Some places I cherish so much I hesitate to share them, but here they are.

5 Best Paris Food Streets

I listed the best Paris food streets in order, with Number 1 as the top choice. I know you’re not “supposed” to start with the best, but instead build up suspense and lead up to it. However, I want you to know the best food street in Paris right off the bat in case you can only go to one.

Artfully displayed produce on Rue des Martyr, the best food street in Paris. — Artfully displayed produce on Rue des Martyrs, the best food street in Paris

1. Rue des Martyrs

On my last trip to Paris, I stayed for a month in an apartment one block off Rue des Martyrs, and it was French foodie heaven. Best of all, the majority of tourists haven’t found it yet. So, definitely check out this hidden gem in Paris!

Parisians have small grocery markets in their neighborhoods, but the majority of the shopping happens at specialty shops, and on Rue des Martyrs, you have everything you can desire.

Artfully arranged fresh produce markets display seasonal fruits and vegetables. The smell of fresh baked breads and viennoisserie pastries wafts from the boulangeries. The windows of the pastry shops will be hard to pass by without stopping—the same for the cheese shops. Butcher shops, fish markets, spice shops, and world famous chocolates all have at least one door on this Parisian street.

You’ll definitely get hungry admiring the famous French foods, and of course, there are plenty of options for eating now or purchasing to eat later. For satisfying my immediate hunger, I like to grab a snack from a bakery, some authentic Paris street food, like a quiche, crepe, sandwich, or croissant. Or, if time is no concern, you can choose to linger at one of the many cafés.

Although you are here food the food, Rue des Martyrs is a tree-lined picturesque street with a carousel at the top and the neoclassical church Notre Dame de Lorette at the bottom. Located in the Pigalle (9eme arrondissement), just below Montmarte, you can sneak some peaks of Sacre Coeur while drooling over the deliciousness.

Since Rue des Martyrs is my favorite Paris Food Street, there are lots of places I love. Here’s the short list not to miss:

Boulangerie Le Pain Retrouvé, #18: 100% made-in-house baguettes, flans, tarts, brioche, etc. Their pizzas are a filling street food.

Sébastien Gaudard: Pâtisserie des Martyrs, #22: Drool-worthy windows with some of the best desserts in Paris. Caramels too!

Fromager Chataigner, #3: While all of the cheese shops on Rue des Martyrs sell top-quality products, this small shop also sells incredible butter!

Artisan de la Truffe, #19: If I could only buy one thing on this Paris food street, it would be the truffle honey from this shop. Perfect on any cheese board. The lunch formule is a great deal too!

Maison Thielen Charcuterie, #21: For an amazing selection of house-made charcuterie, pâtés, and local specialties.

If you’re like me and can’t resist photoing beautiful meat and cheese trays, take a look at these charcuterie board quotes, they’re great for Instagram and social media!

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2. Rue Montorgueil

Located in the 2nd arrondissement (adjacent to Les Halles), Rue Montorgueil is a wide pedestrian street with the most historic significance among all the food streets in Paris. It is also the oldest of the Paris market streets on my list and boasts the most famous patrons.

It has a slightly more hipster/touristy vibe to it than Rue des Martyrs. Yet plenty of locals still come to shop for their nightly dinner ingredients, buy flowers, or grab a snack.

You’ll find quality produce, cheese shops, and patisseries of the same caliber as those on our #1 food street in Paris. And if you cannot find what you need, try the shops at Les Halles. The lively atmosphere makes this Paris street a popular place to meet friends. Cafés, bistros, and restaurants offer plenty of sidewalk tables at which to sample traditional Parisian foods or sip a coffee.

Happy hours in Paris can start as early as 15:00 (3:00 pm). This is my favorite time to visit Rue Montorgueil. Look for pints of beer for 5 euros and an Aperol Spritz for 6 to 7, grab a table, and enjoy some of the best people watching in the city!

Strolling down the famous Paris food street, Rue Montorgueil

Rue Montorgueil addresses to check out:

Le Rocher de Cancale, #78: Paris restaurant once frequented by Honoré de Balzac; renowned for the freshest oysters since 1804.

Pâtissier Stohrer, #51: Acclaimed as the creator of the famous Paris dessert, Baba au Rhum, this pastry shop dates back to 1730 and holds the title as the oldest in Paris.

L’Escargot Montorgueil, #38: A favorite of Proust and Picasso, eating snails at this famous Paris restaurant is a quintessential foodie experience.

Odette, #18: One of the most instagrammable pastry shops in Paris; known for its creative cream puffs.

3. Boulevard Raspail

Founded in 1920, the Marché Raspail single handedly earns Boulevard Raspail, in the 6th arrondissement, a spot on this best food streets in Paris list. During my first extended stay in Paris, I lived just a few blocks away and relished shopping in this market.

Between Rue de Rennes and Rue du Cherche-Midi, you’ll find approximately 150 stalls on Tuesday and Friday mornings, and 50 for the 100% organic market on Sundays.

The produce comes straight from local farms, so you’ll see what’s in season. I could not get enough of the fresh figs on my last trip; truly the best I’ve ever had!

You can find everything you’ll need for a romantic picnic, with lots of cheese and charcuterie stalls. Select a few delectables and head to the nearby Luxembourg Gardens where you can sit among pretty flowers or by a lovely fountain and eat like a Parisian.

Luxembourg Gardens near Boulevard Raspail

4. Rue du Cherche-Midi

Also in the 6th arrondissement, Rue du Cherche-Midi earned its place as one of the best Paris food streets for 3 reasons.

Reason #1: The amazing restaurant choices.

Opening its doors at #66 before this chic Paris street turned foodie destination, the salon de thé Mamie-Gateaux serves authentic light lunches like soups and salads, as well as scrumptious pastries.

Just 1/2 block up on Rue de l’Abbé Grégoire, you’ll find the Michelin-starred Quinsou with inventive haute cuisine.

At #77, La Cantine Troquet specializes in simple seasonal sensations.

Looking for a fabulous wine bar at which to meet friends? You have Sauvage at #55. For some of the best pizza in Paris, head to #78 to the Italian-inspired Anima. Or if you want to lunch at a café with a classic Croque Monsieur or Madame, an outdoor table at Le Nemrod is just the ticket.

Reason #2: Boulangerie Poilâne. With some of the best bread in Paris, Poilâne anchors the street at #8. Some cafes, like Nemrod, will actually name the bread they use in their meal description, especially if they use Poilâne. This iconic Paris boulangerie has been baking its famous sourdough boule since 1931. If it doesn’t have the signature “P,” it’s not a Poilâne.

Reason #3: Proximity to Le Bon Marché. Just a stone’s throw away at 24 Rue de Sèvres, Le Bon Marché is technically a department store, but the first level is dedicated to food. You can find everything from high-quality Parisian desserts to fresh fish. I love bringing home the food of Paris as souvenirs, and I always make a stop at Le Bon Marché to stock up after eating on Rue du Cherche-Midi.

5. Rue Cler

One of the most famous market streets in Paris, Rue Cler is the 7th arrondissement’s version of Rue des Martyrs/Rue Montorgueil. As is the custom with Parisian markets, locals shop here daily for meats, cheese, produce, fish, flowers, etc. And when they are done, cafés offer shoppers a place to rest or meet with their neighbors.

Although this is a mostly locals market, Rue Cler is only 10 minutes from the Eiffel Tower. It makes a great stop before or after. Or, you can stop at a stall for some Parisian street food and walk the nearby streets like Avenue Rapp. You’ll see lots of the tower without the touristy crowds.

Shopping the Paris market street, Rue Cler

Some of the most popular shops on this Paris market street are:

Davoli - La Maison du Jambon, #34: Announces their prepared meals for the week online.

Martine Lambert, #39: Creates the most gorgeous frozen desserts in Paris. Even if you don’t eat ice cream, stop by to gawk at them.

Creperie Ulysee en Gaule, #28: Come for the best crepes on the block.

Fromagerie, #31: The knowledgable staff will help you find the perfect cheese in season. Yes, cheeses do have seasons and they ripen too!

Visiting Food Streets in Paris

To quote Balzac, “The streets of Paris possess human qualities and we cannot shake off the impressions they make upon our minds.”

Indeed, each of these Paris streets has a distinct personality, and if you can, you should visit them all.

You can incorporate them into your day for meals—either enjoy a sit-down lunch, pick up a grab-and-go snack, or purchase items for a picnic. If you like to take home food souvenirs, these food streets will provide lots of mementos. But even if you are not planning on making purchases, you should stroll and admire the best food streets Paris has to offer!