If you’re looking for the best Paris street food, food trucks, and fast food, look no further! We’ve got your guide on what and where to eat on the street!

In a city loaded with Michelin-starred restaurants, exquisite French foods, and some of the top chefs in the world, should you really be eating street food in Paris? YES & OUI!

I’ll call it the culinary trickle down theory. Because the French capital is renowned for its extraordinary cuisine and gastronomy, even the food on the street can be divine.

Usually, my food recommendations would stress eating traditional or famous French foods. But when exploring the best food streets and the best street food markets in Paris, you’ll see a huge international influence.

The city of lights has evolved into a multi-cultural melting pot of flavors and cuisines, and the Paris street food scene reflects that. The best thing about these tasty street treats is that they’re some of the best cheap eats in Paris!

Flower stall on Rue Cler, one of the most popular Paris street food markets — Flower stall on Rue Cler, home to one of the most popular Paris street food markets

Best Street Food in Paris

Crêpes

The French do not call every thin pancake filled with scrumptious ingredients a crêpe. French cuisine distinguishes between sweet and savory. Sweet fillings like my go-to, Nutella banana, get a white pancake and the name crêpe. Savory versions, like the classic ham, cheese, and egg, use buckwheat flour and will be listed as galettes. Both make a great snack or full meal.

Although they’re a classic Parisian street food, traditional French crêpes actually hail from the region of Brittany. The French call it Bretagne, and the historical province name is Breizh. So, you’ll find some of the best crêpes in Paris at cafés that have Breizh in their name. However, for street crêpes, you’re going to need another method. On Rue Mouffetard in the Latin quarter, try Au P’tit Grec, whose crêpes are anything but petite.

Because of the direct line between Brittany and Montparnasse, some swear the best street crêpes in Paris can be found at the crêperie carts by the Montparnasse train station. If you’re looking for cheap crêpes, this is your best bet. Luckily a cheap crêpe can often be a good crêpe in Paris. The trick is to avoid the bad ones. If you see a stack of pre-made crêpes, move on to the next vendor.

Nutella banana crêpes are a delicious Paris street food.

Les Sandwiches

Years ago when I lived in Paris for three months, I very often had a baguette sandwich from a street cart for lunch. Usually it was a ham and butter sandwich known as jambon buerre. While some people consider these traditional sandwiches one of the must-eat foods of Paris, I think you have some better options.

Take the quintessential French snack, the Croque Monsieur. You’ll find these gooey ham and cheese sandwiches at any café in Paris, at the boulangeries (bakeries), and at food stalls in the outdoor markets. Another legendary sandwich can be found at the Chez Alain Miam Miam stall at Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest covered market in Paris. Known for its over-stuffed grilled sandwiches bursting with fresh vegetables, meats, and cheese, addicts will wait outside this eatery over an hour for their fix.

The popular Paris restaurant Frenchies also has a cult-like following, and the same can be said for their outlet for “des classiques de la street food,” Frenchies To Go, or FTG. Grab a pastrami sandwich, a hot dog, or even a lobster roll—they’ll all be lovingly homemade. Vegetarians will not be left out at Plan D—DWICH & GLACE, the plant-based sandwich shop. The takeaway window makes a perfect spot for a brunch stop, just steps away from the Canal Saint Martin.

Croque monsieur and paris street food sandwiches — Croque Monsieur and other classic street food sandwiches

Burgers and Fries

Who would ever dream that the streets of Paris would be a haven for French people seeking burgers and fries? And not even some fancy French burger. I’ve seen locals in long lines for American-style hamburgers with cheddar cheese and pickles.

Roaming Paris at night? You’ll see hipsters lining up for the late night street food in Paris at the sidewalk counters at Dumbo in the 10th arrondissement. The simple menu only offers just one type of cheeseburger, a chicken sandwich, a veggie burger, and of course, French fries.

Paris boasts a number of food trucks specializing in this most famous fast food fare. Le Camion Qui Fume foodtruck is the most popular, with a location at Place de la Madeleine in the 8th and one near the Bibliothèque Nationale in the 13th.

Burger and fries, a Paris fast food staple

Falafel

Perhaps surprisingly, falafels may be the most popular street food in Paris. They are available throughout the city, but their undisputed epicenter is Rue des Rosiers, in the Marais. This neighborhood has a long history as the hub of Jewish life in Paris, so it’s only natural that the original vendor to create a splash with this beloved Israeli street food set up shop here.

That original was L’As du Fallafel (The Ace of Falafel), which opened back in 1979 and is still the king. For the uninitiated, the main ingredient in falafels are deep-fried balls of chickpea flour packed into a pita with assorted vegetables, tahini, hummus, and sometimes idiosyncratic wildcards.

L’As du Fallafel’s combination of freshness and flavors is said to be the best, but their lines are almost as famous as their falafels. Chez Hanna, just down the street, is a great alternative, especially if you’re looking for a sit-down option that’s less frenetic. Just around the corner from both of these, Chez Marianne has the edge as the plushest indoor restaurant dining experience where you can still get a top-notch falafel fix. For vegan options, the local street-smart crowd gets their deep-fried chickpea patties at the scattered Maoz Vegetarian locations where you make your own falafel creation.

L'As Du Fallafel, the most famous Paris street food — L'As du Fallafel, perhaps the most famous Paris street food vendor

Lebanese Food

With its vibrant Lebanese émigré community, it’s no wonder some of the best street food in Paris is Lebanese food. And among the taste buds top hits in this category are Lebanese pizzas. Known by various names like manakish, man’ousheh, or za-atar man’ouche, these woodfired flatbreads are topped with za-atar (a spice blend of oregano, thyme, sumac, salt, and sesame seeds), olive oil—and then it’s a free for all. Different meats, vegetables, and cheeses vie for spots atop the delicious dough that can either remain flat or be rolled up for easier on-the-go eating.

Another Lebanese favorite is tangy garlic chicken with lemon. The version with potatoes is a great sit-down meal, but the chicken alone, doused in a garlic sauce and wrapped in some thick pita bread, is a tasty grab-and-go option. For a wide range of these and other delicious Lebanese treats, you can’t go wrong with the takeaway window at Chez Le Libanais, less than ten minutes from Shakespeare & Company Bookstore, or Le Cèdre, 5 minutes from the Panthéon.

Lebanese food takeaway window in the latin quarter — A popular Lebanese food takeaway window in the Latin Quarter

Kebabs

Because so many cultures have a link to the term “kebab,” this category is a bit of a catch all in Paris. Overwhelmingly, however, it refers to an easily held, rolled-up flat bread or pita pocket of shredded meat grilled on a vertical rotisserie accompanied by some assortment of tasty vegetables and delectable sauce. Examples include Middle-Eastern shawarma, Greek gyros, Turkish urfa kebab, and the doner kebab—which was originally an essential Turkish street food that was later brought to Berlin by Turkish guest workers and has now spread across Europe and the United States.

Kebab purveyors are nearly ubiquitous, but for some of the best, head back to Rue des Rosiers in Le Marais and L’As du Fallafel, whose kebabs are nearly as revered as their falafel, and whose aforementioned nearby competitors also shine in this category. Chez le Libanais also has an array of options in the 6th near the Seine, Sürpriz in the 10th is a slice of Berlin doner kebab that could actually be in Germany, and Baobab Kebab in Les Halles has an extensive, eclectic mix of choices.

Doner kebabs, gyros, and shawarmas are all popular at the street food markets of Paris. — Doner kebabs, gyros, and shawarmas are all popular kebabs at the street food markets of Paris.

Bakery & Pastry Shop Fare

As if anyone needs encouragement to eat anything from a boulangerie or pâtisserie (pastry shop)! You can pop into a brick and mortar, stop at a stall at one of the famous food markets, or get a quick bite from a food truck. Yes, even some bakeries have food trucks in Paris now, like Eric Kayser’s near the Louvre Museum.

Every neighborhood has oodles of boulangeries where they bake fresh loaves of bread and French breakfast pastries like croissants and pain au chocolat daily.

All of these make a yummy snack for the road. But bakeries also often sell ready-made sandwiches, quiche lorraine, and a variety of savory pastries that locals eat for lunch. They make great French breakfasts too!

Likewise, no sweet-tooth will ever be far from a pâtisserie in the capital city. Need a little sugar boost? Eclairs, cream puffs, tarts, macarons, and much more abound! A stroll down any of my favorite Paris food streets, and you’ll be set for trying the best desserts in town.

If you’re looking for something less traditional, try Sacha Finkelsztajn for bagels and Yiddish specialties. It’s been satisfying since 1946.

Pastry from one of the best food streets in Paris

Cheese

We can’t talk about the best street food Paris has to offer without discussing French cheese. If you love cheese as much as I do, you’ll agree!

As it happens, some of the best streets for bread and pastries also possess some of the best cheese shops. The Fromager Chataigner on my #1 street, Rue des Martyrs, even provides a sidewalk counter with individual-sized pieces of amazing French fromage. Select a few; it’s a great way to sample a variety of different cheese types and styles.

Obviously, you don’t have to limit yourself to the little ones. If you don’t know what you want, ask the cheesemonger for some suggestions beyond Camembert or Brie. This might be helpful since, even though cheese reigns as one of my favorite Parisian foods, a couple are among the weirdest foods in France.

If you’re at a street food market in Paris, butcher shops will be close by. Pick up a little pâté and charcuterie for a picnic lunch. There will also be a wonderful selection of fresh fruits at a stall near at hand.

~Click to read more about French Cheese

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~Click to read more about French Cheese 〰️

Cheese is some of the best cheap eats in Paris — Cheeses are some of the best cheap eats in Paris.

Ice cream

Ice cream, or glace as the French call it, is a fast food Paris loves. I can certainly get behind that! It may seem decadent (though no more so than pastries), but I find ice cream a perfect snack between meals. I’ve also been known to indulge and call it lunch. Does it help to know it contains protein?

Berthillon is hands-down the most famous ice cream vendor, or glacier, in the city. Try their cart next to their flagship shop on Île Saint-Louis. Vanilla is their best seller, but I haven’t found a clunker among their 60 flavors.

Every Paris street food market has at least one ice cream shop. On Rue Cler, Martine Lambert dominates the scene with their gorgeous frozen creations. Rue Montorgueil has two epic choices: the Italian icon Grom and Belgian sensation Belgian Wic.

When you notice rose-shaped ice cream cones, they come from the fast-growing gelato chain Amorino. These may be the most instagrammable street food in Paris. Get some friends together and make rose bushes!

Ice cream is one of the best things to eat on the streets of Paris.

Dim Sum

Dim sum is the Chinese version of Spanish tapas. These bite-sized morsels definitely rank as some of the best street food in Paris. But I may be biased. If you’ve read my foodie itinerary for San Francisco, you’ll know I am a huge dim sum fan. The best part is that in Paris, you can easily eat a few offerings at a time and sample different vendors.

Paris’ Quartier Chinois in the 13th arrondissement holds the title of Europe’s largest Chinatown. Roaming around, you can certainly get your fill of tasty dumplings, bao buns filled with pork belly, spring rolls, fried shrimp, and a myriad of Chinese delights. Don’t be confused by the names. The French refer to most of the dumplings as “ravioli” and the buns as “brioche.”

The Mum Dim Sum food trucks reside in the 13th, but their restaurants are in the 11th. You can order takeaway from another Chinese street food outlet in the 11th, Bon Appétit. For those that favor baos, order sweet or savory versions from the boutique of the one Michelin-star restaurant, yam’Tcha in the 1st.

Dim Sum Paris street food — Dim sum dumplings, some of the best street food Paris has to offer

Thai Food

The Thai street food Paris now has on offer has grown considerably over the last decade. While Chinese and Vietnamese options have a long history in the French capital, the flowering of Thai cuisine is a much more recent phenomenon. And while many Parisian Thai restaurants offer excellent dining experiences, many do not have to-go options.

The biggest—and arguably the best purveyor—that not only offers easy to-go service but comes close to replicating the ambiance of a bustling Bangkok food market is Street Bangkok. They have 6 locations in Paris, each with a different design and décor, but all with fantastic food, especially their pork and duck dishes.

Tuk Tuk has a great line-up of fried and steamed dumplings, spring rolls, and salads in addition to main courses. They’re in the 8th, just a bit over a 10-minute walk from Parc Monceau. Thai Spices, in the Marais, has an elegant dining room but also a more relaxed cantine next door. The same kitchen prepares delicious food for both of the dine-in options and also the to-go orders.

Spring rolls, a favorite street food Paris has to offer — Spring rolls are a delicious Parisian fast food.

Waffles

This popular French street food is primarily a local version of the two traditional styles of waffles, or gaufres, of Belgium. What we know as the Belgian waffle here in the States is known as the Brussels waffle in Belgium and elsewhere. They’re made with a yeast-leavened batter, rendering them the lighter and crisper of the two types, and they are rectangular with the defined edges and deeper pockets you’re used to seeing. Liége waffles use a thicker batter and include a special type of sugar (pearl sugar) that caramelizes during cooking. The result is a thicker, richer, chewier waffle that is usually roughly circular and smaller than its Brussels cousin.

Neither in France nor Belgium are waffles eaten for breakfast. Instead, they are eaten as a dessert or daytime snack, and in Paris there is no shortage of places to get them. A great option started by a couple of Belgians is Le Comptoir Belge, with 3 Paris locations. They offer both types of Belgian waffles, so you’re going to have to choose between delicious thick waffles and delicious less thick waffles. The sweet-tooth heaven known as Glazed, on the great foody street Rue des Martyrs, does a wide selection of both sweet and savory gaufres with unusual toppings.

In addition, Paris now also offers bubble waffles, the circular waffles invented in Hong Kong that bubble outward rather cave inward. These are often folded into a conical shape, wrapped in paper, and then filled like an ice cream cone. Tea & Waffle lets you personalize your fillings from a dizzying array of choices, and they’re located right across the street from the Luxembourg Gardens.

Belgian waffles, one of the most decadent street foods in Paris — Waffles, one of the most decadent street foods in Paris

More on Fast food in Paris

Fast food in Paris and, more generally, street food in France, is anything you eat outside of walk-in, sit-down restaurants. And since Paris has some of the best restaurants in the world, you’ll want to make sure to dine at a few. But if you’re visiting the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, or taking in a string of sights, it’s often inconvenient to take time out for a sit-down lunch.

In addition to hitting the best street food markets, keep in mind that the farmers markets of Paris are great places for not only purchasing ingredients like organic produce, fresh fish, and local cheeses, but also for all kinds of hand-held crêpes and sandwiches. My favorite is Marché Raspail, opened Tuesday and Friday mornings on Boulevard Raspail.

Les Halles in the 1st provides an abundance of options for day and nighttime eateries on the go. Since its renovation in 2018, this once historic site is now filled with chains and mainstream shopping. Not being a shopper, this is not my first pick, but if you’re close by, it may be worth a stop.

You may be wondering if there is American fast food in Paris. The answer is yes; chains like McDonalds and Burger King have multiple locations, but I can’t condone eating there. To me they qualify as junk food; do everyone a favor and get yourself some nice street food instead.