Paris is one of the world's great food cities, from the humblest boulangerie to three-Michelin-star temples. A proper Parisian day starts with a croissant and café au lait standing at a zinc bar. Lunch is a croque-monsieur or a plat du jour (daily special) at a neighborhood bistro. Dinner is an event.
The city's covered markets — Marché d'Aligre, Marché des Enfants Rouges in Le Marais — sell the freshest produce, cheese, and charcuterie. Chez L'Ami Jean for Basque-influenced bistro cooking, Septime for modern French, and any neighborhood boulangerie for a pain au chocolat from the oven at 7am.