There are some foods that you can’t help but expect every French person to eat, seeing as every movie, television show, pop culture moment and meme endlessly focus on a select few. French restaurants outside of France often stick to the same limited and arbitrary menu, always including steak frites and a selection of a few staples like coq au vin, steak tartare, moules frites, escargot, etc. etc. etc. We know baguette and cheese are the epitome of French cuisine, while encouraged to believe that crème brûlée is a dessert essential.

And while some of these dishes are indeed classic French foods one won’t regret trying – there is a reason they make an appearance on French menus around the world – there is also a long list of French staples that tourists somehow never hear about. Below is a list of 10 French staple dishes you’ll undoubtedly know (and should try), as well as 10 less obvious dishes that locals would swear by.

10 Classic Well Known French Dishes to Try

10 Lesser Known Local French Dishes to Try