The 7 Best Paris Desserts

In Paris, desserts are an intrinsic part of the culinary scene, there are some confections you simply cannot leave without trying! In fact, one of my favorite parts of any of my Paris food tours is taking our customers to the best bakeries and pastry shops and indulging in some classic Parisian desserts.

If you want to try sweet treats like macarons and hefty bites like crème brûlée in the City of Love, read through Eating Europe’s list of desserts we think everyone should sample when they’re in Paris.

Macarons

Macarons are among the most instantly recognizable and must-try French desserts, but no one whips up these sandwich-style snacks like the Parisians. Made from a mix of egg whites, sugar, and almond flour, macarons come in various colors and are stuffed with a buttercream filling.

Even though macarons are considered a staple of French cuisine, many historians believe that they actually hail from the Middle East. Some say they only arrived in Europe during the 15th century, while others suggest they were created in a Loire Valley monastery several centuries before.

Ideally, macarons should be served at room temperature to retain the perfect consistency.

Where to Eat It?

Pierre Hermé, one of Paris’s most beloved patisseries, has many branches in the city. However, in my experience, the macarons are best in their chic, orange-colored location in the Odeon district.

As tasty as their dark chocolate and pistachio varieties are, nothing beats the hazelnut macarons here. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the buttery, earthy flavors from the cream filling and the crunchy, sugary exterior.

Pierre Hermé (€€€) – 72 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris, France – Open every Monday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, and every Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Crème Brûlée

Who knew combining thick custard with a layer of hardened caramelized sugar could be so delectable? Crème brûlée is often my first pick when it comes to Paris desserts, and this vanilla-infused treat proves that the simplest recipes are often the best.

Despite its French name, there have been plenty of disputes about the origins of crème brûlée. It rose to prominence after appearing in a French cookbook in the late 17th century, but Spain and England have also claimed the dessert as their own.

When prepared correctly, the top should be warm and toasted, while the custard inside should be cool and soft.

Where to Eat It?

Every second or third restaurant in Paris boasts crème brûlée on their menu, but I’ve yet to find a better spot than Au Bourguignon du Marais in Le Marais. This elegant and refined eatery is best known for its profiteroles, but I much prefer the crème brûlée.

From the shimmering golden crust to the creamy, tangy custard, the contrasting textures and tastes had everything I look for in a crème brûlée.

Au Bourguignon du Marais (€€) – 52 Rue François Miron, 75004 Paris, France – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 11:30 pm

Mont Blanc

Next up is a Paris dessert that I’ve been obsessing over since my first visit to the city. Mont Blanc is made from chestnut purée and is often paired with whipped cream on either a tart or meringue base.

This gorgeous sweet treat, which has been around since the 19th century, gets its name from the soaring Alp peak it resembles in shape.

The purée is traditionally presented in the style of vermicelli pasta and usually comes with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Where to Eat It?

I’ve had my fair share of Mont Blancs over the years, but nowhere compares to Angelina in the 1st arrondissement. With its opulent dining area and exquisite desserts, it’s little wonder Angelina has become a bucket list spot.

Initially, I came here for their legendary hot chocolate, but I really loved the Mont Blanc. The nutty, silky purée, ultra-light cream, and crispy, airy meringue came together beautifully and were decadent without feeling too heavy.

Angelina (€€€) – 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France – Open every Monday to Thursday from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, Friday from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm

Saint-Honoré

Photo credit: Saint-Honoré

Saint-Honoré cakes can look slightly different depending on where you purchase them. In most cases, though, they consist of a base of puff pastry under choux pastry balls that center around a hearty serving of cream.

Chiboust, a former Parisian bakery, is widely considered the birthplace of the Saint-Honoré cake. The pastry chef Auguste Jullien created this mouthwatering confection in the 1850s after putting his own twist on a pastry cream-filled brioche dessert that was popular at the time.

Though some prefer Saint-Honoré with just pastry and cream, I’m partial to a dousing of caramel sauce on top.

Where to Eat It?

Carette is a fabulous patisserie just north of the Place des Vosges. I’ve been pretty impressed by most of the desserts I’ve tried here, but none more so than their Saint-Honoré.

The flaky chaux balls were each paired with a coating of honey-like caramel that added a lightness to the dense, rich cream. As filling as it was, I had to stop myself from ordering a second!

Carette (€€€) – 25 Pl. des Vosges, 75003 Paris, France – Open every day from 7:30 am to 11:30 pm

Opera Cake

If you’re a chocolate and coffee-loving foodie like me, I think you’ll be as enamored with opera cake as I am once you try a slice! Blending chocolate ganache, buttercream, and coffee-soaked sponge, this layered dessert is even more incredible than it sounds.

Its appearance is similar to that of the levels of an opera house, which inspired the 20th-century pastry chefs who created it to name it as such. Since the 1950s, opera cake has been seen as one of the most luxurious Paris desserts around.

Opera cake is tastiest when served chilled and is even more delicious alongside a steaming cup of coffee.

Where to Eat It?

Stohrer has an almost 300-year history as a chocolatier and patisserie, so, unsurprisingly, some of the most sought-after baked goods in Paris are found here. As soon as I ventured inside this regal, old-school spot, I was drawn to the immaculately presented opera cake.

It had just the right amount of chocolate, coffee, and buttercream, balancing the sweet, bitter, and luscious flavors. The sponge was moist and delicate, yet the chocolate top layer was firm and crisp.

Stohrer (€€€) – 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris, France – Open every Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm and every Sunday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Éclair

If you were to ask me what the best desserts in Paris are, I’d be lying if I said éclairs didn’t spring to mind. Similar to profiteroles but oblong in shape, these iconic pastries are made by filling choux pastry with Chantilly cream or vanilla custard and topping it with chocolate.

Like any great French pastry, there’s quite a lot of uncertainty surrounding how éclairs came to be. Some claim Marie-Antoine Careme began whipping them up in the 1800s, but others say it appeared in the 16th century when Catherine de Medici made choux pastry popular.

To enjoy éclairs at their best, they should be served right out of the refrigerator.

Where to Eat It?

Should you find yourself in the Folie-Méricourt area, stop by Boulangerie Utopie and try one of their unforgettable éclairs. It’s a small, locally treasured bakery that’s super low-key despite its ever-growing popularity.

Without fail, their éclairs are doughy and filling yet delicate. Even with the generous serving of velvety chocolate and smooth cream, the subtle flavors of the pastry prevent it from tasting overly indulgent.

Boulangerie Utopie (€€) – 20 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris, France – Closed every Monday and open every Tuesday to Sunday from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Paris–Brest

Considering that it combines two of my favorite things, choux pastry, and praline, it’s hard to believe that I only recently tried Paris–Brest for the first time.

Louis Durand was the mastermind behind this double-ring-shaped pastry. In 1910, he crafted the first Paris–Brest, naming it after the bike race that once ran between the two cities.

For the most part, pastry chefs stick to the time-honored praline recipe. However, it’s not uncommon to see this swapped for alternative fillings like passion fruit curd.

Where to Eat It?

The 2nd arrondissement is the home of BO&MIE, a bustling bakery regularly dubbed one of the best pastry shops in Paris. Getting inside this industrial-style spot may require some queuing, but I’m certain you won’t regret it!

Each bite of the Paris-Brest from here is better than the last, as it mixes soft, fluffy choux pastry, a fudgy praline cream, and earthy almonds. As divine as the flavors are, the medley of textures is what really elevates the pastry.

BO&MIE (€€) – 18 R. de Turbigo, 75002 Paris, France – Open every day from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm

Conclusion

There’s no better way to satisfy your sweet tooth than with a traditional Paris dessert. Whether it’s something sizable like a slice of opera cake or a little macaron, the French capital’s range of sweet bites is unmatched.