Gastronomy - World news, culture and opinion

The five best baguettes in the Paris region

These addresses follow the traditional French baguette recipe to a T. With honeycombed crumb, crisp crust and a subtle, sourdough taste, it's a treat from morning to night.

Published on June 8, 2024, at 7:33 pm (Paris) Gilbert Pytel

Selection

Five Lyon restaurants with international flavors

Gastronomic Mexican, vegetarian haute cuisine, the molecular surprises of a Michelin-starred chef... Five ways to move away from the traditional bouchon.

Published on May 12, 2024, at 3:21 pm (Paris) Léo Pajon

Feature

Lyon's daring gastronomy scene knows no boundaries

Cotton candy and foie gras, soy meringue, Chinese dim sum with Guémené andouille sausage: Some adventurous chefs are shaking up the culinary traditions of the capital of the Gauls, with a cuisine that's both hybrid and daring.

Published on May 12, 2024, at 2:00 am (Paris), updated on May 23, 2024, at 5:12 pm Léo Pajon

Selection

Lunch in Paris? 15 (delicious) set menus from €20 to €30

Smoked eel tacos or veggie mezze, fantastic pizzas or Korean dishes: Le Monde picked 15 places in Paris to enjoy a seasonal menu without breaking the bank.

Published on April 26, 2024, at 12:07 pm (Paris), updated on April 27, 2024, at 1:32 pm Léo Pajon

Interview

Pierre Hermé, French chocolatier: 'Learning to taste wine has helped me in my pastry-making career'

The sweet artist cultivated a passion for oenology after an apprenticeship. The 2,000 bottles in his cellar help formalize his taste sensations.

Published on April 22, 2024, at 8:30 pm (Paris) Stéphane Davet

News

France asks retailers to alert customers to cases of 'shrinkflation'

From July 1, a new rule will require medium to large supermarkets to clearly communicate cases of 'shrinkflation' to shoppers.

Published on April 19, 2024, at 3:23 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AP

Feature

Michelin Guide 2024: A welcome breath of fresh air on the prize list

At the Tuesday ceremony in France, 62 restaurants were honored, a third of them less than a year old, and more than half of them run by chefs under the age of 40.

Published on March 18, 2024, at 6:58 pm (Paris), updated on March 19, 2024, at 9:39 am Léo Pajon

Profile

Michelin Guide 2024: Ronan Kervarrec wins second star for Le Saison in Brittany

At his establishment near Rennes, the chef conjures up memories of his innkeeper father, while letting his saltwater obsession explode with seaweed, cockles and dazzling sauces.

Published on March 18, 2024, at 6:58 pm (Paris) Léo Pajon

Selection

Le Monde's selection of France's 15 best croissants

Both crispy and melt-in-the-mouth, this buttery classic is sometimes garnished with an extravagant hint of honey, sourdough or praline. From Paris to Nantes to Marseille, here are our favorite spots.

Published on March 12, 2024, at 2:21 pm (Paris), updated on March 12, 2024, at 5:47 pm Gilbert Pytel

Feature

Gastronomy: London calling

From 'gastro pubs' to Michelin-starred restaurants, between the influence of celebrity chefs and world cuisine, London's culinary scene has taken a spectacular leap forward – even porridge is no longer frightening.

Published on February 26, 2024, at 2:30 am (Paris), updated on February 26, 2024, at 7:54 am Léo Pajon

Feature

The delicate art of opening up to oysters

Some find these mollusks, with their gelatinous texture and powerful iodized taste, to be off-putting. To win over new gourmets, Tifenn and Jean-Noël Yvon, oyster farmers in Brittany, advise us to add some crunch by breading them.

Published on February 24, 2024, at 6:54 pm (Paris) Léo Pajon

Selection

Five safe bets for lunch in Paris under €25

Retro bistros, vegetarian Indian food, charcoal-grilled meats: Here is Le Monde's selection of tried-and-tested restaurants, where prices are affordable and delicious food is guaranteed!

Published on February 20, 2024, at 12:56 pm (Paris), updated on February 20, 2024, at 1:10 pm Léo Pajon

Selection

Coming in hot! Our selection of 10 delicious croque-monsieur sandwiches in Paris

Whether topped with pastrami or truffled ham, made with toasted Japanese sandwich bread or a vegetarian version with comté, cheddar and morbier, this classic can be enjoyed at these 10 Parisian establishments.

Published on February 11, 2024, at 12:00 pm (Paris), updated on February 11, 2024, at 12:00 pm Gilbert Pytel

Selection

Five spots to eat well in London without breaking the bank

Gobble up a bagel in a Brick Lane institution, enjoy fresh pasta in an old church or try a Scottish specialty in East London. Here's our selection of five affordable restaurants in the British capital.

Published on February 10, 2024, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Léo Pajon

News

Two Indian restaurants and two French chefs: The winners of Michelin's 2024 Great Britain & Ireland guide

Only one three-star; but six new two-star and 19 first-timers, including two French: The 50th edition of the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland also featured cities other than London.

Published on February 5, 2024, at 9:31 pm (Paris) Elvire von Bardeleben

Feature

From beef tongues to yuzu fruit: The extraordinary world of the Rungis market

The world's largest fresh produce market, just south of Paris, feeds 18 million people and has an annual turnover of €10,299 million.

Published on February 3, 2024, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on February 9, 2024, at 5:27 pm Léo Pajon

In Depth

Asian coffee shops are the latest Paris craze

Thanks in part to the K-pop, manga and Asian cuisine craze, Vietnamese, Filipino, Taiwanese and Japanese coffee shops are carving a niche for themselves amid Paris bistros.

Published on January 30, 2024, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on January 30, 2024, at 10:36 am Wassila Belhacine

In Depth

Sharing plates, the art of eating together without being too greedy

Eating off the same plates as your table-mates: With the development of fusion food, brought to life by young nomadic chefs, this cuisine involving generosity has been invading bistros and Michelin-starred restaurants for the past 10 years.

Published on January 8, 2024, at 8:30 pm (Paris) Aude Goullioud

Selection

Craving pain aux raisins? The 15 best places to enjoy them in France

With blond or brown raisins, rum or Madagascar vanilla pastry cream, abundant filling or crispy puff pastry... Where in France can you enjoy a delicious raisin bread?

Published on January 6, 2024, at 12:00 pm (Paris) Gilbert Pytel

Interview

Michelin-starred chef Mory Sacko: 'My parents dreamed of a better life for their children'

The 31-year-old French chef of Malian origin reflects on his rigorous upbringing, the sense of hard work his parents instilled in him and finding success at a young age.

Published on January 5, 2024, at 2:50 pm (Paris), updated on January 5, 2024, at 4:06 pm Vanessa Schneider

Profile

The French-Japanese designer putting a fashionable twist on the culinary arts

Marie Méon, founder of the creative agency Manger Manger, creates refined Japanese-style dinners and buffets for fashion houses, staged like works of art.

Published on January 5, 2024, at 9:44 am (Paris), updated on January 6, 2024, at 10:30 am Litza Georgopoulos

Interview

Yotam Ottolenghi: 'A cuisine is never static'

The British-Israeli chef, head of seven establishments in London, plans to open a deli restaurant in Paris. His bestseller 'Jerusalem' is an ode to mixed-race cuisine co-written with Palestinian Sami Tamimi.

Published on January 3, 2024, at 11:30 am (Paris) Léo Pajon

Feature

A Parisian chocolatier revives ganache with panache

The 'purveyor to the kings' Debauve et Gallais has spruced up its historic Paris boutique, bringing back old chocolate recipes that have delighted chocolate lovers for years.

Published on December 22, 2023, at 3:02 am (Paris), updated on December 22, 2023, at 8:35 am Julie Lasterade

In Depth

'Flantophilia,' or how eating flan can become an 'absolute pleasure'

Forget the bland industrial dessert with its artificial flavors, colorings, gelling agents and modified starch. Instead, search for the quintessence of this pastry speciality, a simple treasure whose success is rooted in childhood.

Published on December 19, 2023, at 5:05 am (Paris), updated on December 19, 2023, at 11:10 am Léo Bourdin

News

French chefs are determined to put stinky cheeses on the menu

Maroilles, Camembert and Munster are just some of the French cheeses that inspire revulsion in people with a sensitive palate. But increasingly strong cheeses are being used by chefs in risky and interesting dishes.

Published on December 15, 2023, at 12:15 pm (Paris), updated on December 15, 2023, at 5:03 pm Léo Pajon

Feature

Korea's soft power: K-food aims for the taste buds

Korean cuisine − spicy, colorful and not too hard to reproduce at home − is pouring onto our plates. Popularized by TV series and K-pop, the cuisine is winning over young French adults, who are finding it in restaurants and grocery stores all over town.

Published on December 3, 2023, at 11:48 am (Paris) Catherine Rollot

Investigation

What France's fast-food restaurants say about the country

The increasing presence of fast food restaurants in some streets and towns illustrates the urban changes, income inequality and business creation opportunities in working-class neighborhoods.

Published on December 3, 2023, at 4:13 am (Paris), updated on December 3, 2023, at 11:17 am Marie Charrel

Investigation

Come for the culture, maybe don't stay for the food: Are museum restaurants worth a visit?

With high prices and homogenized flavors in menus designed to please everyone, many restaurants run by renowned chefs fail to offer gastronomic delights that match the establishment's reputation. However, there are noteworthy exceptions.

Published on November 5, 2023, at 10:00 am (Paris) Léo Pajon

Investigation

French chefs grapple with growing number of intolerances: 'You have to be willing to offer a different cuisine'

More and more restaurant-goers are mentioning their special dietary requirements, forcing cooks to modify some of their dishes and find delightful culinary solutions.

Published on October 2, 2023, at 7:30 pm (Paris), updated on October 3, 2023, at 12:01 am Léo Pajon

Feature

Nîmes, a welcome gastronomic surprise

No one expected its arrival on the gastronomic scene. And yet, with Michelin-starred restaurants like Georgiana Viou's Rouge, Pierre Gagnaire's Duende, and creative young chefs, the southern town nestled between Provence and Camargue is making a name for itself.

Published on October 1, 2023, at 3:47 pm (Paris) Léo Pajon

Selection

Le Monde's selection of five Parisian restaurants with great terraces

Vacationing or stuck in Paris this summer? Now's your chance to get a special table outside and enjoy a feast of sea bream accras, sausage warmed with chipotle pepper or oysters with shiso vinegar.

Published on July 22, 2023, at 7:02 pm (Paris) Léo Pajon

Interview

'Pastrami is a product of Ashkenazi culture'

'A world of street food' (6/6). William Benitah crafts the Reuben, a pastrami sandwich with cheese, sauerkraut and sweet dressing, in his Paris delicatessen.

Published on July 22, 2023, at 12:00 pm (Paris) Elvire von Bardeleben

Interview

'Ceviche in Peru is everywhere, all the time'

'A world of street food' (5/6). Six chefs reveal how they have adapted a basic foreign dish to French tastes and ingredients. In Paris, Javier Jimenez Morales and Claudia Perez Vasquez-Solis serve ceviche as they do in Lima: as fresh as can be, for eating on the go, but with a little less spice, to suit the French palate.

Published on July 21, 2023, at 2:01 pm (Paris), updated on July 21, 2023, at 3:18 pm Elvire von Bardeleben

Interview

'In Kinshasa, pondu keeps you going until evening'

'A world of street food' (4/6). In Marseille, Hugues Mbenda serves a very popular dish from the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on mashed and boiled cassava leaves.

Published on July 20, 2023, at 8:00 pm (Paris), updated on December 22, 2023, at 4:13 pm Léo Pajon

Series

'The main ingredient in a good onigiri is love'

'A world of street food' (3/6). In Paris, Ai Watanabe and her partner Samuel Trifot have recreated the stuffed rice balls so popular in Japan.

Published on July 19, 2023, at 12:00 pm (Paris) Léo Pajon

Interview

'Falafel is still the iconic street food dish in Syria'

'A world of street food' (2/6). In Lille's Grand Scène food court, Bassam Ataya and his wife Reem serve small falafel patties made from a traditional Syrian recipe with perfectly-sized chickpeas from the Vendée.

Published on July 18, 2023, at 12:00 pm (Paris) Léo Pajon

Interview

'Banh mi is the product of cultural mixing and colonization'

'A world of street food' (1/6). In Paris, Khanh-Ly Huynh offers tasty Vietnamese sandwiches made with a white baguette and brimming with fillings.

Published on July 17, 2023, at 12:00 pm (Paris), updated on July 17, 2023, at 12:14 pm Léo Pajon

Investigation

The thousand and one flavors of Israeli cuisine

Several Parisian restaurants are championing – and updating – recipes from the Levant, honoring fresh vegetables and delectable spices.

Published on June 11, 2023, at 4:12 pm (Paris) Léo Pajon

Column

Taiwan and the fusion of world cuisine

The island's cuisine offers a rich palette of flavors, textures and dishes with roots in the Netherlands, Japan and, of course, China. It makes for a delightful experience.

Published on April 25, 2023, at 5:47 am (Paris), updated on April 25, 2023, at 8:04 am Léo Bourdin

Selection

Say cheesecake! Our selection of 15 shops in France to put a sweet smile on your face

Lemon or grapefruit flavor, served with a raspberry compote or a pear and passion fruit confit, in its traditional American form or with a Japanese twist: Here is Le Monde's delicious selection of the 15 best cheesecakes in France.

Published on April 23, 2023, at 2:00 pm (Paris) Gilbert Pytel

Selection

Where to have lunch in Paris for less than €20? Our (new) selection of 15 spots

From Jerusalem artichoke soup to mustardy rabbit, from cactus tacos to plantain burgers, and why not some Japanese and Korean specialties: 15 delicious lunch spots in the French capital with a reasonable price tag.

Published on April 16, 2023, at 4:00 pm (Paris), updated on September 7, 2023, at 12:15 pm Léo Pajon

News

Paris, capital of gastronomy: A journey through French cuisine at the Conciergerie Museum

From royal banquets to heads of state lunches and bouillons to brasseries, the exhibition goes back over eight centuries of French culinary art from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Published on April 14, 2023, at 5:08 am (Paris), updated on July 10, 2023, at 2:44 pm Elvire von Bardeleben

Investigation

After K-pop, K-food is conquering France

With its decorated dalgona candy and its kimbap rice and vegetable rolls, Korean food is making is becoming a fixture.

Published on April 8, 2023, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Léo Pajon

Profile

Maxime Frédéric, an exceptional pastry chef

Head pastry chef at the Parisian luxury hotel Cheval Blanc, Maxime Frédéric is the creator of a sweet collection bearing the Louis Vuitton signature. The Norman chef has built his dazzling career on intense expertise and a connection to the land that he cultivates on the family farm.

Published on March 15, 2023, at 3:54 am (Paris), updated on March 15, 2023, at 9:12 am Laetitia Moller

Selection

Fancy a delicious creative vegan sandwich?

Why not try a delicious dairy-free 'grilled cheese' with roasted pear, lentil falafel pitas, or a baguette with marinated tofu, pesto, and grilled bell peppers? These three recipes will transform lunch into a celebration.

Published on March 11, 2023, at 12:00 pm (Paris) Isabelle Mériel

Feature

Michelin 2023 awards: List of winners gives pride of place to French regions

One new three-star, four new two-stars, 39 newcomers to the ranking and 90 green stars distinguish an edition that also highlights some very young talents.

Published on March 6, 2023, at 12:44 pm (Paris) Léo Pajon

Profile

Alexandre Couillon, the only French chef to win the coveted three Michelin stars

After a difficult start, the chef has made his isolated restaurant La Marine a destination thanks to a highly personal cuisine that gives pride of place to products from the sea and his vegetable garden.

Published on March 6, 2023, at 10:21 am (Paris), updated on March 6, 2023, at 5:22 pm Elvire von Bardeleben

Feature

In Copenhagen, Noma is closing while Geranium is growing

While René Redzepi's mythical Noma has announced its closure for 2024, Geranium has taken the title of world's best restaurant in the 50 Best ranking. A revolution in the Danish culinary scene, which continues to dictate gastronomy trends.

Published on March 5, 2023, at 1:00 pm (Paris) Elvire von Bardeleben

Feature

Paris' Ecole Ferrandi young cooks are ready to shake up the industry

A new generation of restaurant entrepreneurs is inspired by contemporary codes made of short circuits, social media and culinary identity.

Published on February 28, 2023, at 12:58 pm (Paris), updated on February 28, 2023, at 3:47 pm Alice Raybaud

Selection

A burger (vegetarian, or not) for lunch? Le Monde's 5 favorite Paris burger joints

Thick, melting beef or a tasty chickpea patty grilled between two tempting buns: The burger is in the mix more than ever and is inspired by all countries. Now that the January detox is over, we can indulge ourselves, right?

Published on February 18, 2023, at 12:00 pm (Paris), updated on July 10, 2023, at 2:41 pm Léo Pajon

Selection

Five restaurants in Lille that pack a punch

'Le Monde' presents five places in the northern French city that break with convention, and are sure to make your tastebuds happy.

Published on February 4, 2023, at 12:15 pm (Paris), updated on February 27, 2023, at 5:43 pm Léo Pajon

Feature

Lille, a city that tickles your taste buds

France's Hauts-de-France region has been awarded the European Region of Gastronomy for 2023. The award puts the spotlight on bold, daring young chefs and a culinary scene whose revival is in full swing.

Published on February 4, 2023, at 12:00 pm (Paris), updated on February 4, 2023, at 12:00 pm Léo Pajon

Op-Ed

'French gastronomy must maintain its ability to attract young talent'

If it wants to survive in a rapidly evolving environment and regain its status as a world leader, French gastronomy must rethink its economic model and its approach to human resources, writes author and consultant Nicolas Chatenier.

Published on January 23, 2023, at 10:43 am (Paris), updated on January 23, 2023, at 11:05 am Nicolas Chatenier

Profile

A drink with Paul Pairet: 'Your perfect steak frites is not the same as mine!'

A simple grill, under the gilding of the Crillon in Paris, is the latest surprise from this internationally renowned chef, who is preparing to open Nonos on January 18, just a few days before returning as a judge on 'Top Chef.'

Published on January 21, 2023, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Elvire von Bardeleben

Selection

Our selection of the 15 best galettes

There are those who swear by the traditional frangipane, those who like the originality of an ice cream or crumbly galette and those who are after a gluten-free or chocolate option. Follow the guide to find your favorite... and the hidden lucky charm!

Published on January 7, 2023, at 5:04 pm (Paris), updated on January 7, 2024, at 11:22 am Gilbert Pytel

Interview

Pierre Hermé, pastry chef: 'I was born into sugar'

At 61 years old, the famous pastry chef looks back on how he built a life dedicated to his childhood passion.

Published on January 1, 2023, at 4:50 pm (Paris), updated on January 2, 2023, at 10:13 am Vanessa Schneider

Investigation

Parisian chefs are moving across the Seine river, betting on a left-bank comeback

Twenty years of trendy chefs and natural wines are starting to oversaturate Paris' right bank, with the more traditional left bank starting to make a slow comeback.

Published on December 17, 2022, at 12:30 pm (Paris), updated on December 17, 2022, at 7:16 pm Laetitia Moller

Column

Le Train Bleu's steak tartar is savored first with the eyes, then the taste buds

The Salers beef tartare can be ceremoniously enjoyed in the magical setting of the Parisian restaurant.

Published on December 9, 2022, at 12:00 pm (Paris), updated on December 9, 2022, at 12:00 pm Laure Gasparotto

News

Guaranteed Mafia-free Italian restaurant opens in Paris

La Poesia uses produce supplied by the Italian association Libera Terra, which cultivates farmland confiscated from organized crime gangs.

Published on November 28, 2022, at 8:00 pm (Paris), updated on April 28, 2023, at 11:36 am Simon Piel

Long Read

Thanksgiving: In Minneapolis, Owamni puts indigenous cuisine on the menu

In his Minneapolis restaurant, chef Sean Sherman promotes the culinary culture of his ancestors.

Published on November 24, 2022, at 12:30 pm (Paris), updated on December 7, 2022, at 12:13 pm Clémentine Goldszal