15 Iconic Dishes You Have to Try in Their Country of Origin

5. France – Croissant (Paris)

Flaky, golden, and so buttery it melts on your tongue—the perfect croissant is a work of art, and Paris is the only place to get the real thing. French bakers have perfected the lamination process, folding butter into dough over and over again to create hundreds of delicate, crispy layers. A true Parisian croissant au beurre is not dense or bready like imitations—it’s light as air, crispy on the outside, with a pillowy-soft, buttery interior. When you bite into it, you should hear a satisfying crunch. To taste the best croissant of your life, visit Du Pain et des Idées, where each pastry is baked to perfection, or Boulangerie Utopie, an award-winning bakery that elevates the classic croissant with innovative flavors. Pair it with a steaming café crème, and you’ll understand why the French treat breakfast as a sacred ritual.