The Best French Food For A Party
Nobody does food better than the French. The flambéing, the braising, and the sautéing all create an air of sophistication and class that other cuisines just don’t have. And by hosting a French dinner party, you’ll convince every one of your guests that you have all the sophistication and class of the French. We’ve come up with some of the best French dishes for a party that are easy to pull together so you can achieve that air of elegance and luxury without the effort.
What to serve at a French dinner party?
A French dinner party menu typically follows a structure of many courses, including an entrée (starter), plat principal (main course), and dessert. Apéritifs are served before the meal to whet the appetite, and coffee or digestifs round off the evening with the intention of aiding digestion. The main thing to remember is to take it slow: the French savour each sip, bite, and course when they are dining and especially enjoy the company of their guests.
Keep reading for some of the best suggestions of what to serve for each course of a French dinner party.
Apéritif
An apéritif is an alcoholic drink served before a meal to stimulate the appetite, ready for the meal ahead. They are typically light, refreshing, and not overly strong in alcohol. Apéritifs are often dry drinks, with popular choices including vermouth, pastis, dry sherry, and champagne.
Set up a champagne bar featuring a range of premium champagnes and sparkling wines for a simple yet show-stopping option. Provide mixers such as fruit purées, liqueurs, and edible flowers for guests to customise their drinks for a bit of fun!
Entrée (starter)
Pâté platter
Indulge in a lavish assortment of finely crafted pâtés, best accompanied by crusty baguette slices, tangy cornichons, and sweet fruit competes.
For some inspiration on the best choices for your platter, explore our selection of top-quality pâtés, duck terrines, game terrines, and rillettes from South West France.
Caviar Station
Astound your guests with a caviar tasting station featuring a selection of premium caviars. Varieties such as Royal Beluga, Oscietra, and Baerii will impress any caviar connoisseur.
Serve with blinis, crème fraîche, chopped egg whites, and yolks for accompaniments. If you’re unsure of which caviar to serve, we’ve written a guide to help you choose the best caviar for your party.
Lobster Bisque Shots
Lobster bisque is a creamy soup full of the buttery flavour of lobster. Serving the bisque in elegant glasses or tea cups, garnished with a dollop of crème fraîche and a sprinkle of chives, offers a taste of luxury in every sip. Bisque shots are perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to your gathering, while also being easy to present and a great talking point at a party.
Don’t have time to make your own bisque? Explore our range of gourmet seafood bisques here and effortlessly impress your guests with these exquisite, ready-made options.
Foie Gras Three Ways
Create a foie gras trio featuring seared duck or goose foie gras on pastry or toasted brioche, foie gras terrine with fruit compote, and foie gras mousse in mini tartlets. This trio not only highlights the rich essence of foie gras in three distinct preparations but can also offer a beautiful presentation that is guaranteed to impress your guests.
If you’re looking for other ways to prepare foie gras for your next dinner party, check out our post for some ideas.
Plat principal (main course)
Black Truffle Risotto
Prepare a sumptuous black truffle risotto featuring creamy Arborio rice, infused with white wine and chicken stock, and enriched with Parmesan cheese. Finish with freshly shaved black truffles for an exquisite touch and garnish with finely chopped chives for a pop of colour. Perfect for an elegant party, this risotto combines rich, comforting textures with the sophisticated aroma of truffles, creating a memorable experience for your guests.
Seafood Tower
A grand seafood tower is always a crowd-pleaser. Celebrate the taste of the sea with fresh oysters, lobster tails, king crab legs, shrimp cocktail, and scallop ceviche. Serve with lemon wedges, mignonette sauce, cocktail sauce, and herb-infused oils.
Beef Stew with Porcini Mushrooms
This classic dish combines tender chunks of beef with the rich, earthy flavour of porcini mushrooms. Slow-cooked to perfection, the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the mushrooms infuse the stew with deep, robust flavours. Hearty, earthy, and warming, this beef stew is so good it will guarantee empty plates.
If you love mushrooms, take a look at our other post on the best dishes to make with Porcini Mushrooms!
Cheese
Cheese and Charcuterie Board
A popular choice for any social occasion is a lavish cheese and charcuterie board. You can create a stunning platter with a variety of French cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Comté, and aged goat cheese, and feature cured meats, pâtés, terrines, fig jam, honeycomb, and assorted crackers and bread. Consider upgrading your spread with our luxury jams and other gourmet French ingredients for a truly indulgent experience.
Dessert
Crème brûlée
Combining creamy vanilla custard with a crunchy sugar topping, crème brûlée is a delicious dessert that is also easy to put together, making it ideal for serving multiple guests. Garnish with some seasonal berries for a pop of colour and freshness.
Chocolate soufflé
Chocolate soufflé is one of the most loved and luxurious French desserts. But here’s the thing that most people don’t realise: it’s surprisingly easy to make! With a few ingredients and some ramekins, you can make a gooey and gratifying end to a meal that your guests will love.
Tarte Tatin
Sticky caramel, sweet fruit, and crispy pastry combine to make a delicious tarte tatin. It’s a classic French upside-down tart characterised by its caramel flavour and flaky crust. It is traditionally made with apples, though you can make variations with other fruits like pears or peaches.
Digestif
As the name might suggest, a digestif is an alcoholic beverage served after a meal to aid digestion. Encompassing styles like amaros, brandies, and whiskeys, they often include stomach-settling herbs and spices for a bitter-sweet taste. These drinks can be enjoyed during, after, or instead of dessert, but are typically less sweet than dessert cocktails.
Coffee
The French adore their coffee, favouring short pulls of espresso all day long, and especially after a large meal. Adding a dash of cream or foamed milk to an espresso will make it a “noisette” (meaning “hazelnut” because of its colour) and is more in keeping with typical French coffee drinking habits later in the day – très chic!
Petit Fours Platter
For those with a sweeter inclination, these delightful treats provide the perfect final encore for any meal or deluxe accompaniment to coffee. Offer a selection of bite-sized French pastries and confectionery such as macarons, éclairs, madeleines, financiers, and chocolate truffles. For an extra touch of decadence, try our award-winning Lauden chocolates.
Bon Appétit
Hosting a fabulous dinner party can come with all sorts of challenges, but with these French menu ideas, you can rest easy knowing that the food will really impress your guests. Remember, French food is all about enjoying yourself, your company, and wonderful food!
For some more examples of popular French food, read about everyday French cuisine and a typical French dinner.