Emily In France Exclusive 🇫🇷 Parisian Street Food Actually Worth Trying

From the desk of an expat.

I definitely angered more than a handful of folks with my recent diatribe against street food in Paris, but I stand by my thesis: Eating in the street runs counter to French culture, and street food doesn't have a pervasive historic precedent in the French capital. That said, as I alluded to in the story, there are quite a few excellent places to get food on the go in Paris, and as long as you find a place to sit down and enjoy it (a park bench, a grassy knoll, or even some church steps), you're not going to be offending any locals.

With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to round up my five faves for street food in Paris – plus the closest picturesque spot to sit down and dig in.

N.B.: One option you won't see on this list is one my friend Forest Collins, aka 52 Martinis, mentioned to me as a possible Parisian street food contender: the crêpe. Its absence here isn't because I disagree, but rather because I have a truly horrendous buckwheat allergy, and even thinking about galettes makes me break out in hives. But if crêpes strike your fancy, may I suggest Chez Alain Miam Miam in the Marché des Enfants Rouges, which I have it on good authority makes a killer crêpe stuffed to the brim with all manner of top-quality charcuterie, cheese, and veggies.

1. Jambon-Beurre, Chez Aline

Chez Aline is the brainchild of Delphine Zampetti, who converted this former horse butchery (chevaline, in French) into a takeaway counter selling all manner of delicious sandwiches. It has since been taken over by Tiphaine Moindrot, Zampetti's long-time seconde, who's keeping things fresh with traditional baguette from Aux Castelblangeois and a host of delicious fillings.

For eight euros, you can get a sandwich cuisiné stuffed with delicacies ranging from stewed chicken with mayo to smoked morteau sausage with gribiche to excellent Spanish tortilla with guindillas. But I always find it hard to order anything but the top-notch casse-croute, at 5.50 for one ingredient or 6 euros for two. You’ve got a choice of cheeses like Saint-Nectaire or Fourme d’Ambert, so it may surprise you to learn that my favorite is Prince of Paris ham served with a thick layer of butter.

Get it at… 85 Rue de la Roquette, 75011

Dig in at… Square Francis-Lemarque, a little square with benches a few blocks away

2. Falafel, Le Daily Syrien