For the last few years, food courts have been conquering Europe. An American invention that was once identified with fast food joints in shopping malls, food courts have been updated by Europe with the vibe of community culture, providing fun ways to grab fast and tasty meals at an affordable price while rubbing shoulders with locals in a casual, festive atmosphere.
While you may associate Paris with fine dining and waiter service, food courts, or “food halls,” are making a splash in the French capital, where, like everywhere, the cost of living has increased and working folks are on the lookout for good, affordable meals that don't require hours to eat.
The rise of food halls in Europe is good news for tourists. Offerings in Parisian food courts reflect the city’s increasingly diverse population and a growing curiosity about foreign cuisines: There are French basics, of course, like crêpes and rotisserie chicken, as well as the occasional wine bar. But you can also find thoughtfully prepared Algerian couscous, Japanese sushi, and Peruvian ceviche, as well as inventive riffs on Asian street food and American burgers. And at Paris’ food halls, reservations aren’t required, the dress code is casual, and a main course will rarely set you back more than €15–20 (US $16–22)—or often for less.
At the following food halls in Paris, each distinguished by its own form and flavors, try to avoid the lunch rush, which generally falls between 12:30 and 1:30pm, so you won’t get stuck in lines. Also come prepared with the understanding that the French definition of a “line” can be rather fluid—despite chaotic appearances, everyone gets served in order.
