Top 10 French Seafood Dishes
French seafood cuisine is renowned for its high-quality ingredients, exquisite flavor combinations, and delicate presentations. The French coastline stretches over 3,400 miles, and its cuisine is deeply rooted in the region’s abundance of seafood. This cuisine uses fresh, natural, and locally sourced ingredients, and simple preparation techniques that enhance the natural seafood flavors.
Some of the most famous French seafood dishes include Bouillabaisse, which originated from the fishing community of Marseille, and Coquilles Saint-Jacques, a beloved dish made with pan-seared scallops served in beautiful shells.
French cuisine has had a significant impact on cuisines worldwide, as French chefs have blended various ingredients and flavors to develop original dishes that have since become popular staples in the culinary world. With its attention to detail, focus on high-quality ingredients, and elegant presentation, French seafood cuisine is a delightful culinary experience for seafood lovers everywhere.
So let’s take a look! Here are my top 10 must-try French seafood dishes that will have your taste buds singing in delight!
1. Moules à la Marinière
An ode to classic French cuisine, Moules à la Marinière is a delicious dish made with succulent mussels cooked in an aromatic cider or white wine sauce. Savory shallots, garlic, and herbs like parsley, thyme, and bay leaves are sweated in butter before being topped off with fresh mussels that are steamed until they open to provide delightful flavors!
The finishing touches? A sprinkle of minced parsley, squirt of lemon juice, and dollop of crème fraiche — all served with freshly-baked crusty bread and your favorite glass of Vin de France!
2. Lobster Thermidor
Straight out of Paris and right onto your plate, the luxurious Lobster Thermidor is a feast for all five senses. It’s stuffed with succulent sautéed lobster meat steeped in cognac or wine, then smothered in an egg-based sauce swirled together with cheese — truly fit for French royalty!
The recipe calls for traditional Gaelic ingredients like butter and cream that capture all their luscious flavors when combined with the lobster, equating to gastronomic royalty fit for any aristocrat!
3. Moules Farcies
If you’re looking for an out-of-this-world dish, try the French delicacy of Moules Farcies. It’s mussels stuffed with a delicious buttery mixture of parsley, garlic, shallots, and heady spices like nutmeg and black pepper — all topped off with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs before they’re baked or grilled to perfection!
For a culinary journey like no other, sprinkle the Moules Farcies with parsley and serve the tasty treat alongside a crusty baguette — perfect for dipping into that delicious butter mixture.
4. Matelote
The French know how to whip up a delicious seafood feast! Matelote is an exquisite dish made with the finest freshwater fish, such as eel, salmon, and carp. Plus it’s cooked in a heavenly broth of gorgeous red or white wines. No wonder they call this scrumptious stew “Fisherman’s Coq au Vin”!
A wonderful variation called Matelote Normande uses hard cider in place of wine. It is best served alongside boiled potatoes, a salad, and a crunchy baguette. Pull up your anchor and enjoy this maritime meal today!
5. Bourride
Bourride, the cousin of Bouillabaisse, is an enticingly delicious fish stew originating from Languedoc-Roussillon. Any white fish can be used, but monkfish remains its most traditional ingredient — truly transporting your taste buds back to Provence!
Modern varieties of this amazing dish use succulent scallops, mussels, or your favorite shellfish. Its heavenly flavor profile takes it to another level with vegetables like leeks, onions, celery, and carrots — all given an extra oomph by none other than our old friend aioli! Not familiar? It’s a dreamy sauce made from garlic, olive oil, and egg yolks for that ultimate richness you won’t forget!
6. Sole Meunière
Discover the classic French favorite that excites seafood lovers’ taste buds with each delectable bite! Tender, pan-seared sole filets are perfectly seasoned with salt, pepper, and parsley; lightly coated in flour; cooked to perfection; and then kissed with lemon juice for an unforgettable flavor combination.
International acclaim for the French classic Sole Meunière began when beloved chef and cookbook author Julia Child mentioned it in her renowned culinary tome.
7. Bouillabaisse
Created by resourceful fishermen who used the leftovers of their daily catch, this traditional Provençal fish stew is now considered one of the most luxurious seafood dishes seen anywhere — if you order it at a restaurant along the lively seaport’s waterfront, be prepared to part with up to €200 for two!
Steep you say? Do you want to experience a true Bouillabaisse? Then break out your wallet! This unique and flavorful seafood stew is worth its hefty price tag because of one key ingredient — the red scorpionfish. This poisonous Mediterranean rockfish adds a distinct taste that can’t be found anywhere else.
Bouillabaisse is a real feast for the senses with its signature orange hue and aromatic ingredients — like saffron, fennel, and fragrant orange zest — that provide an incredible flavor burst that’ll tantalize your taste buds! And to perfectly balance out all of these flavors — white wine and sweet anise liqueur are added. Ultimately it’s a seafood extravaganza you won’t want to miss!
8. Coquilles Saint-Jacques
For a meal that’s sure to make your dinner guests swoon, why not whip up some Coquilles Saint-Jacques? This classic French seafood dish is easy on the eyes and delicious on the taste buds — succulent pan-seared sea scallops marinated in white wine, shallots, parsley, and garlic come together for an unforgettable flavor experience.
Serve it as an appetizer or bump it up to main course status by serving it with rice or potatoes — whatever you choose — it will be delicious!
9. Plateau de Fruits de Mer
Get a taste of the sea with Plateau de Fruits de Mer, the traditional French dish that brings together an assorted array of seafood delicacies like shrimp, mussels, lobsters, crabs, and clams all served on a large platter and covered with crushed ice and seaweed to keep it cold — think sushi vibes!
This spectacular dish is served with delicious sauces ranging from mignonette to mustard and plenty of cocktail sauce for good measure!
10. Seafood Bisque
Indulge in this luxurious Seafood Bisque, a timeless soup that’s shrouded in mystery. Its creamy richness and combination of spices will leave your taste buds enticed!
The debate over its name has yet to be solved. Some say it may derive from being cooked twice (bis cuits) — first roasting the shellfish before simmering them again with all sorts of flavorful ingredients like cream, butter, onion, celery, and cognac or wine.
But its origins may be attributed to the resourceful fishermen from long ago. Some people say that Seafood Bisque originated in the Bay of Biscay around the 17th century when folks looked for innovative ways to use what was available — like lots of shellfish! Now it’s one of France’s favorite dishes with endless possibilities.
So get ready for today’s flavor explosion with the most popular version — the delightful Lobster Bisque — made using a long, slow cooking process to maximize its deliciousness.
Wrapping It Up
French seafood cuisine is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of France. It represents the unique blend of French cuisine with the natural bounty of the seas that surround the country’s coastline. French chefs have transformed seafood into a truly sophisticated cuisine, creating dishes that are celebrated around the world.
It is no surprise that French seafood cuisine has influenced chefs globally and has become a favorite choice for diners at high-end restaurants around the world. Whether it’s a simple seafood salad, an elaborate Plateau de Fruits de Mer, or the classic Moules à la Marinière, French seafood cuisine is a true feast of the senses!
Bon Appetit!
Check out our reviews of other seafood dishes from around the world.
