🥐
Croissant
krwä-ˈsäⁿ
Definitions
1
Food · Bakery
Common
A crescent-shaped French pastry made of flaky, buttery dough. Used to represent breakfast, bakeries, French cuisine, or cafes.
Often used when discussing breakfast, bakery items, or French culture. Popular in food-related conversations.
Just had the most amazing 🥐 from that new bakery downtown!
Instagram caption
Breakfast menu: 🥐 ☕ 🍓
WhatsApp message
Originated in France but now globally recognized as a symbol of continental breakfast and French culinary tradition.
2
Travel · Europe
Uncommon
Symbol representing France, Paris, or French culture in travel contexts. Used to indicate French destinations or experiences.
Appears in travel itineraries, vacation posts, or when discussing French tourism.
Paris itinerary: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and eating 🥐 by the Seine
Travel blog post
Functions as a visual shorthand for French identity alongside other symbols like the Eiffel Tower.
Evolution Timeline
2016
Added to Unicode 9.0 as part of expanded food emoji set
Growing interest in food photography and culinary social media content
2018
Gained popularity in breakfast and coffee culture posts on Instagram
Rise of aesthetic food photography and cafe culture documentation
Cultural Context
Despite popular belief, croissants originated in Austria (kipferl) before becoming a French staple. The crescent shape was inspired by the Ottoman flag during the siege of Vienna.
Represents the globalization of food culture, as croissants have spread from Europe to become recognized worldwide while maintaining their French association.
One of few food emojis where the French name has been universally adopted in English, reflecting its cultural authenticity and resistance to translation.
Regional Variations
France
Used more casually and frequently, reflecting its everyday status in French culture.
United States
Often associated with upscale continental breakfast or coffee shop culture rather than everyday breakfast.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Used more literally to represent actual food items or French travel experiences rather than as a lifestyle symbol.
Gen_Z: Often used in aesthetic food posts, cafe culture documentation, and 'that girl' morning routine content on TikTok and Instagram.
Older: Less frequently used, but when employed typically represents actual croissants or French cuisine rather than broader cultural concepts.
Millennials: Frequently used to represent work-life balance, coffee shop remote work culture, and weekend brunch experiences.
Common Combinations
🥐☕
Continental breakfast or cafe experience
Universal symbol for morning cafe culture, particularly European-style breakfast
🥐🇫🇷
French food, culture, or travel to France
Used to emphasize French origin or connection to French culture
🥐🧈
Buttery croissant or fresh baked goods
Emphasizes quality or freshness of pastries