10 short foods for trendy, low-priced meals in France

For almost a decade now, France has been savoring the food court concept, adopting the same codes that made the Time Out Market in Lisbon, considered Europe's pioneer, so popular. Food courts have spread to the four corners of France, always in a convivial, libertarian spirit, encouraging diners to eat what they want, with whom they want, when they want. It's fair to say that food courts started out as trendy addresses, before becoming meeting places for all generations. Let's take a look at some of them, to suit all budgets.

Lille / Grand Scène

The days when the Rue de Béthune was deserted by the inhabitants of the capital of Flanders are long gone. The Galeries Lafayette has been replaced by a food court that has become a focal point for after-work gatherings, business meetings and even a quick lunch/dinner/pot-on-the-run. It's got it all: the pop ambience, the conviviality and the extensive and varied culinary offer that makes it impossible to get bored. Ten counters share the space, taking the palate on a journey from Greece, with Kalimera, to Syria, with the Ataya team. Addresses change regularly, but there are classics like Canard Street and the flying counter burgers.
Don't miss: Canard Street's 10-euro poutine, with shredded duck served with thyme and fleur de sel mashed potatoes

©Vivi Pham Et Pierre-Yves Jortay

Saint-Ouen / Communale

One of the latest in a long list of food courts in the Paris region, located in Saint-Ouen, has added a new social dimension to the concept. At Communale, the aim is to create a link between local residents, tourists and Parisians from elsewhere. The challenge is to bring together generations as well as different consumer profiles. All in a cool atmosphere. You come to eat, of course, from one of the ten counters, some of which have become staples such as La Marocaine and Fermento Pizza. To quench your thirst, a microbrewery has been set up on site to produce special Communale suds.
Don't miss the low price: 7 euros for a small vegetable couscous at La Marocaine

Paris / la Felicita

Often described as Europe's largest restaurant. It's true that this themed food court can be intimidating in view of its 4,500 m2, housed within the Station F complex. The model for this type of catering necessarily involves conviviality, and in fact, sharing. So when the culinary promise takes on the Italian spectrum, the result becomes even more welcoming. On the menu: pizzas, pastas of course, but also spritz and negroni. La Felicita's offer doesn't remain exclusively transalpine, however, as you'll also find burgers served with fries.
A small price not to be missed: 9 euros for a pizza by the slice for margherita lovers

Nantes / Magmaa

As France's new foodie stronghold, the city of the Dukes has not missed out on the food court trend, transforming one of its most emblematic sites with a culinary offering. Such is the case of the Halles Alstom, anchored on the Ile de Nantes. The iconic railway production site, which for decades was an important address for the Nantes region's industrial sector, has managed to stay connected to the urban fabric, and in particular to its inhabitants, by becoming a place for reunions. At Magmaa, we celebrate the world's cultures through shows and celebrations such as Carnival or the Mexican "dia de los muertos". The atmosphere can also be savored on the plate, with a plethora of flavors provided by corners in South Korean, Italian, Cambodian and South American tones. You can even eat Nepalese!
Don't miss the low price: 5.50 euros for a Nepalese salad at Annapurna

Rouen / L'Entrepôt Food Hall

There's no shortage of food halls in Normandy, between the fish stalls of Trouville-sur-Mer and the butchers' halls of Buchy. But you can take the experience a step further and dine at the Entrepôt Food Hall in Rouen. On the banks of the Seine, not corners, but workshops are on offer, where onlookers can graze on Brazilian pao de queijo, Italian risotto or Vietnamese egg rolls. Over 600 seats are available, 200 of them on the terrace. And a distinctive feature: you can order takeaway or even delivery.
Don't miss the low price: 9 euros for a Norman buckwheat sausage galette

Lyon / La Commune

It's true that we knew Food Traboule until it closed. But the capital of the Gauls is no less devoid of food courts, since La Commune also offers a change of scenery for the taste buds in the 7th arrondissement. Consumers in Lyon are now well versed in the concept of these gourmet halls, and have the opportunity to share in the success of the artisans of taste who make these pocket restaurants so charming. The difference: La Commune aims to be a culinary incubator. In other words, the counters run their kitchens for six months to a year, the time it takes for their talent to be tasted and their owners to gain the confidence to take off and open their first restaurant. It's the perfect opportunity to combine a chef's discovery with a budget lunch.
A small price not to be missed: 8.90 euros for lobya chalaw, a typical Afghan dish based on beans simmered with spices and rice, served by Kishmish Zardak

©Juliette Valero

Marseille / Le Populo

The city of Marseille continues to reinforce its culinary aura. And food courts are just one of the restaurant concepts that Marseille has added to its arsenal. For those on a tight budget, head to the brand-new Populo in La Joliette, where nine corners await inquisitive taste buds. Pizzas are grilled, of course, since we're in Marseille. You can also savour Indian specialities as well as delicious Lebanese traditions. The concept: take a trip around the world in nine bites.
A small price not to be missed: 5 euros for pakoras, Indian fritters made from chickpea flour and garnished with seasonal vegetables and homemade masala at Lulu's Kitchen

Bordeaux / La Boca Foodcourt

On the banks of the Garonne, it's not just Les Halles du Bacalan that counts. At the far end of Bordeaux's central perimeter lies another culinary mecca, just a stone's throw from the Bordeaux St Jean train station. In the new districts of Euratlantique, you'll find a nightclub-like atmosphere, where you can pick up a whole host of mouthfuls of foreign flavors, such as Spanish pintxos, Asian noodles or Greek-style kefte, all washed down with a beer from the land of Zeus. You can also stay in seaside climes with a selection of oysters from Cap Ferret.
A small price not to be missed: 10 euros for small seafood dishes at the Mère & Fish marine counter

©Astrid Lagougine

Toulouse / Les Halles de la Cartoucherie

It's no joke in Toulouse when it comes to setting the table and giving people the choice of grazing on what they like. In the brand-new Halles de la Cartoucherie, which opened in September 2023 as part of a cross-disciplinary project involving not only cultural programming but also a coworking space and social support services, no fewer than 25 food stands offer a variety of recipes and flavors, enough to whet the appetite to come back again and again. From seafood burgers to traditional cassoulet, Peruvian ceviche and a sweet and savoury doughnut bar, there's nothing to be missing, not even something to quench your thirst, as the offer also includes cocktails, beers and a wine bar. And you can even do your shopping here with the help of farmer's lockers.
And don't miss out on the low price: 7 euros for a "croc beigneur", a doughnut in the spirit of a brioche and toasted bun, topped with ham and Vache qui rit

Montpellier / Les Halles du Lez

Since July 2019, the capital of Languedoc has brought together a taste for good food in a single stronghold, as part of a vast project to renovate a derelict urban area. The designers of Les Halles du Lez, attached to the NK Design Studio agency, make no secret of the fact that they drew their inspiration from Lyon's Halles Bocuse and Lisbon's mercado de ribeira in designing this den of good eating. The 1,500 m2 foodcourt, which also offers outdoor terrace dining, features an array of regional specialities from Alsace, Aveyron and Belgium. For Montpellier's savoir-faire, chefs Jacques and Laurent Pourcel have designed the Manita counter, serving cuisine from all over the South, from the Camargue to Latin America.
Don't miss the low price: 6 euros for patatas bravas with chipotle and coriander mayonnaise.