The best places to eat while waiting for the Eurostar

If you are traveling to and / or from Paris on Eurostar, you may wonder where to have lunch or dinner before boarding; Maybe you’re looking forward to a good pre-train cocktail or gourmet coffee. Whether you’re traveling from London’s St. Pancras station to Paris’s Gare du Nord or the other way around, there are thankfully plenty of decent options for a light bite, a snack, or a full meal. Some of these selections – 5 for each station in Paris and London respectively – are located within train stations, while others are a block or two away. This makes it easy to stop for a good quality breakfast, lunch or dinner before your exciting journey under the English Channel and through the feat of engineering known as the ‘canal’. We’ve also included a couple of great drink options at each station, in case you’re in the mood for a chilled or bubbly glass of wine. We have also indicated approximate price points for each restaurant or snack bar ($ – $$$$). Finally, the vegetarians and vegans among you should be delighted to find suggestions for vegetarian options in both seasons.

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Gare du Nord: The North Star by Thierry Marx

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+33 1 40 36 54 36

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Opened by the famous French chef Thierry Marx in early 2017, L ‘étoile du Nord is a gastronomic brasserie with a retro design reminiscent of the 1960s. Its transparent glass exterior, soft and bright lights and its cheerful dining area in white and red allow plenty of room for your luggage. The menu, while not the cheapest, gives you a chance to sample some of the capital’s best brasserie classics before catching your train. It is also a good potential option if you are starving when you arrive from London around lunch or dinner and prefer to avoid the hassle of finding a restaurant outside the station.

The fare is simple, but focuses on high-quality ingredients and a creative reinvention of brasserie classics. Main courses include Red Label Pork Tenderloin with Celery Grits and Honey Roasted Carrots; fish and chips; classic rotisserie chicken and mashed potatoes; and roasted sea bream with lemon marmalade, braised fennel and artichoke muslin. There is also a daily special. Tasty and well presented desserts include chocolate lemon tarts and a fine French cheese platter.

The daily lunch menu offers better value than the a la carte options; You can choose between a starter and main dish or a starter, main dish and dessert.

For good quality wines and cocktails, the elegant upstairs bar is a good option, and the views of the station from the large windows are an example of a certain retro travel aesthetic that is popular today.

Finally, if you are in a hurry, there is a branded bakery window located to the right of the main entrance that serves good quality sandwiches, quiches and desserts at prices much lower than in the main dining room.

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Gare du Nord: Brasserie La Chaufferie

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+33 1 48 74 13 41

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There are numerous traditional breweries around the Gare du Nord, but some are quite mediocre. This pleasant restaurant and cafe just one block from the main entrance to the train station has a full terrace and ample indoor seating; The free wi-fi and luggage space are for travelers looking for a place to perch for two to three hours before catching the Eurostar. However, there are only a couple of outlets for computer plugs or phone chargers, so if you want to hook one up, you should avoid rush hour.

Lunch and dinner options focus on French classics: think duck confit, poached egg salad, and honey-dipped lamb served with mashed sweet potatoes. There are usually one or two vegetarian and vegan options as well – salads, omelets, or pasta dishes are the most likely. Prices are moderate here, quality is good, and the restaurant also offers a full menu of drinks and cocktails, as well as a selection of tapas. Breakfast is served between 07:00 and 11:30.

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North Station: Costa Coffee

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Already popular in the UK and starting to present formidable competition for Starbucks in France, this coffee and snack chain is located on the mezzanine floor of the Gare du Nord; If you have trouble finding it, check the station map or GPS to request you. Espresso-based drinks are strong and high-quality at Costa, and there is also a selection of sandwiches, wraps, pastries, decent juices, and other inexpensive and fast food options available. Limited vegetarian options are generally available, but vegans shouldn’t count on finding much to eat here.

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Gare du Nord: South Indian and Sri Lankan specialties nearby

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If you’re bored with the predictable prospect of sandwiches or classic French brasserie fare, Rue du Faubourg St Denis, just off Gare du Nord’s main entrance, is packed with fast-paced South Indian and Sri Lankan specialty restaurants. , cheap and delicious. rate. From curries to mango lassis to long crepe-like dishes called dosas , filled with veggies, potatoes, spices, and other goodies, there’s a wide variety of options at these casual restaurants. You can opt for a snack or a large meal, depending on your appetite. Even stopping for a cup of hot and sweet chai served in a metal mug can be a nice way to pass the time while waiting for your train.

There are plenty of options along the strip, but the best option might just be to walk around and shop around before settling for one. Some of our favorites include:

• New Pondicherry
• Bombay Palace
• Saravana Bhavan (exclusively vegetarian)

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Gare du Nord: EXKI (from the Eurostar Terminal)

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+33 9 67 38 74 03

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This Belgian-owned fast food chain focuses on fresh, healthier options like lentil and halloumi salads, chicken and avocado wraps, smoothies and sandwiches made with whole grain breads. You’ll have to go through the security stairs at Gare du Nord to dine here, and the lines are often long during crisis hours. Still, the value for money for this modern ch https://www.exki.com/ ain is very good, and vegetarian and even vegan options are plentiful; that’s remarkable in a city that caters primarily to carnivores. The chain also offers free wi-fi, an international newsstand, and a pleasant seating area.

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St. Pancras: Carluccio’s

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+44 20 7278 7449

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When you’re looking for a decent breakfast or lunch, this full-service restaurant and bar, part of a chain of Italian restaurants in London, is a good choice. Carluccio recently opened on the St Pancras mezzanine, upstairs, and offers romantic views over the train platforms, as well as good views of the intricate architectural highlights of the old station.

While this isn’t the cheapest option in St Pancras, it offers a good place to sit and relax while you wait for your train, and it’s brighter and more pleasant than some of the underground level restaurants. The menu offers abundant options for light meals or full three-course meals. Choose from focaccia, specialty bruschetta dishes, and tasty daily soups, as well as pastas, salads, meat dishes, and tasty Italian-style desserts like panna cotta and tiramisu. The restaurant also has a good wine list and a children’s menu. Breakfast is popular at Carlucci’s; For something light, pastries or traditional Italian panoneone bread with butter, accompanied by coffee, will do the trick; For something stronger, try Florentine Eggs or Eggs Benedict.

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St. Pancras: The Gilbert Scott en el Renaissance Hotel

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+44 20 7278 3888

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Next door to Carluccio’s is the grandiose Renaissance Hotel, a romantic place that exudes old-world elegance and intrigue. Gilbert Scott Restaurant and Cocktail Bar offers a great option for a good meal or drink, either before hopping on the Eurostar for Paris or after arriving in London.

The frequently changing menu focuses on classic British fare with globally inspired twists: think roast quail with kimchi, sweetcorn and cornbread; and Dorset crab with nectarine, cucumber and sesame. The main meat dishes are of a very good quality, and Sunday roasts, an English tradition, are also favorites. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.

The grandiose 19th-century dining room will make train travel feel luxurious the way it used to be: the elaborate wood paneling, gold and marble columns, sumptuous furnishings and warm bar lighting are all straight out of an old Billy film noir Wilder. or Orson Welles.

The menus are surprisingly reasonable – for around £ 30, enjoy a starter, main and dessert. The a la carte options will slow you down a bit longer. (Please note that prices may change at any time).

Also be sure to check out the bright, high-ceilinged living room right next door. If you don’t have the time or the funds to eat at the restaurant, you can enjoy tea, coffee or a light meal in the elegant dining room, which is a popular movie venue.

Location: London St Pancras International Station, Pancras Road (accessible by taking the escalator to the mezzanine, or accessible from the entrance on Pancras Road)

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St. Pancras: The Daily Bread

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This beloved Belgian bakery and brunch specialist also offers great salads, coffee, and healthy whole food options. The comfortable dining room near the Eurostar’s check-in area gives weary travelers room to sit while waiting for the train, and offers free Wi-Fi.

Breakfast options include pastries and bread dishes complete with the chain’s signature jams and sweets, omelettes, and muesli with yogurt and fruit. Lunch options include salads; tartinas (slices of bread) with salmon, ricotta and cucumber; and quiches.There is a window to bring sandwiches and desserts if you are in a rush to catch the train.

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St. Pancras: Ready to Eat

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+44 20 7278 2563

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While it’s true that Pret à Manger is so ubiquitous in London that it has largely eclipsed older chains like McDonald’s, the fresh sandwiches, wraps, salads, and other items served here are noticeably fresher and tastier than many competitors. This explains, at least in part, the great success of the chain. Lines are long at lunch and dinner, but service is generally fast and friendly. A stop here can be a good option when you have limited time before boarding the Eurostar, especially since the onboard sandwiches and other fares served at the train bar are generally more expensive and often of lower quality. Pret also makes perfectly decent organic coffee drinks and serves breakfast options like granola and yogurt, pastries, and egg sandwiches.

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St. Pancras: Plum and Spilled Milk at the Great Northern Hotel

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+44 20 3388 0818

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Another formal dining option just a block from St Pancras is this charming, modern restaurant at the Great Northern Hotel, a retro, family-friendly landmark next to the station. The restaurant, which actually has multiple locations throughout the city, focuses on simple, seasonal British fare, carefully presented.

The many menus include a la carte options for lunch and dinner, breakfast, and a popular weekend brunch menu. Main courses like roast squab with kale and smoked bacon and scallops with ratatouille will please those looking for a solid tradition; Vegetarian options include potato dumplings with sage butter, pumpkin, and chanterelles. Reservations are recommended.