Paris Charles de Gaulle is one of Europe's biggest airports, and its food ranges from grab-and-go bakeries and coffee chains to a Michelin-starred dining room. This guide explains where to eat at CDG by terminal, what is available before and after security, and which options suit a quick bite, a proper sit-down meal, or an early-morning or late flight — so you can plan around your departure terminal and any layover.
Where can you eat at CDG airport?
Paris CDG has dozens of cafés, bakeries, bars and restaurants across Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Most casual options are familiar chains — Paul, Brioche Dorée, Ladurée, Exki, Starbucks, Pret A Manger and McDonald's — for sandwiches, salads, pastries and coffee. For a full sit-down meal, Terminal 2 has the widest choice, including brasserie-style dining and the Michelin-chef restaurant I Love Paris by Guy Martin in Terminal 2E. There are outlets both before and after security in the larger terminals, but the biggest selection is always airside, once you have cleared the checkpoint.
CDG restaurants and cafés by terminal
Terminal 2 is the largest and has the most food; Terminal 1 has a solid mix of casual and sit-down options; Terminal 3 is a compact low-cost terminal with only a few quick outlets. Check your departure board to confirm which terminal you leave from, as you cannot easily move between distant terminals once airside.
| Terminal | What you'll find | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Starbucks, Brioche Dorée, Ladurée and McDonald's landside; Paul, Exki and casual sit-down venues airside | Coffee and a quick bite before a Star Alliance or long-haul flight |
| Terminal 2 (Halls A–G) | Paul, Exki, Starbucks, Brioche Dorée, McDonald's, a seafood bar, sushi and brasserie dining — the airport's widest choice | Everything from grab-and-go to a proper meal |
| Terminal 2E | Air France's main long-haul hall, plus upscale dining including I Love Paris by Guy Martin (Michelin chef) and bistro-style restaurants | A sit-down French meal before a long-haul departure |
| Terminal 3 | A small number of quick outlets such as Pret A Manger and Paul | A fast sandwich or coffee before a low-cost or charter flight |
Before or after security?
In the public (landside) area you will mostly find coffee and bakery chains for meeting, waiting or eating before you check in. The wider choice of restaurants, bars and sit-down venues is after security, in the boarding area — so if you want a relaxed meal, clear passport control and the checkpoint first, then eat near your gate. Because outlets open and close and can move between locations, use the airport's own signage and screens once inside to find the nearest one that is currently open.
Grab-and-go vs. a sit-down meal
For something fast and affordable, the bakery and coffee chains (Paul, Brioche Dorée, Exki, Starbucks) serve sandwiches, salads, viennoiserie and drinks at typical airport prices — expect to pay more than in the city. For a longer wait or a treat before a long flight, the brasseries and the Guy Martin restaurant in Terminal 2E offer hot French dishes and table service. If you have lounge access, remember that most CDG lounges include complimentary food and drinks, which can be better value than paying at a restaurant.
Early-morning and late-night food at CDG
CDG runs from very early departures to late-evening arrivals, and cafés and bakeries in the busy halls typically open early to catch the morning peak. Choice is thinnest late at night and in the quieter terminals, when only a few outlets stay open, so if you land late or have an overnight layover it is wise to buy food before shops close or bring a snack. Opening hours are not guaranteed and vary by terminal and season — always check current signage on the day.
Is there food after security at CDG?
Yes. All three terminals have food outlets in the boarding area after security, and this is where the widest choice is. Terminal 2 airside has the most options, from bakery and coffee chains to sit-down restaurants; Terminal 1 has casual and brasserie venues airside; Terminal 3 has a few quick outlets. Clear passport control and the checkpoint first, then eat near your gate.
Does CDG airport have restaurants open 24 hours?
CDG operates around the clock, but very few individual outlets stay open 24 hours, and availability changes late at night and by terminal. Cafés and bakeries in the busiest halls generally open early for the first departures, while overnight choice is limited. If you arrive late or are staying overnight in the terminal, buy food before outlets close or plan to eat once the morning cafés reopen.
Where is the best food at CDG airport?
For a proper meal, Terminal 2E has the airport's standout dining, including I Love Paris by Guy Martin, where a Michelin-starred chef serves classic French cooking with a modern twist, plus bistro-style restaurants. For a quick French treat, Ladurée and Paul are reliable across the terminals. The best choice overall is in Terminal 2, so if food matters to your trip, a Terminal 2 departure gives you the most options.
Are there vegetarian and vegan options at CDG?
Yes. Exki, a Belgian chain found in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, specialises in fresh, healthy food with clearly labelled vegetarian and vegan choices, and most bakery and salad outlets (Paul, Brioche Dorée, Pret A Manger) offer meat-free sandwiches and salads. Choice is widest in Terminal 2. For anything specific, check the labelling at each outlet, as menus change seasonally.
