Nowadays, it is very easy to eat out. You just need to find a restaurant that serves food you like, and that's it. This has become such a common activity that often going out to eat is the main objective, something like a new type of entertainment. However, the format of restaurants and their great variety has not always been this way. We tell you the origin of restaurants.

From Ancient Rome

In the time of the Romans, there was something similar to restaurants, called thermopolium. This was an establishment that offered ready-made food for all social strata of Roman society. Foods were served on carved platters over an L-shaped stone counter. Something like the first bar kitchen in history.

In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance

During these times, migrations and exchanges between peoples began to increase, leading to the birth of taverns and inns. These ancestors of the modern restaurant were usually located beside roads and basically offered food and lodging to travelers. The only drawback of these establishments was that their menu was very limited, so they only served one type of dish per day. So, if you didn't like the food, you didn't have many options to choose from.

France and Modern Restaurants

It is no coincidence that France has one of the most recognized culinary traditions in the world. According to history, the current concept of the restaurant emerged in France, roughly during the Revolution. Some people attribute the idea of the restaurant to a man named Boulanger, while others believe it was Mathurin Roze de Chantoiseau who invented the concept as we know it today. Regardless of who the true founder of the restaurant industry was, we can be sure that the idea originated in France. Many things have happened since the small place that served food on carved platters to today's specialized restaurants. By reviewing the evolution of the restaurant industry, we can see how food has always been an essential element in the history of humanity. And every day that we cook or try a new dish, we are participating in that fascinating history. Get inspired by the history of the origins of restaurants to prepare a typical French menu:

• Traditional Onion Soup
• French Cheese Soufflé
• Sweet Macarons
• Raspberry Clafouti

  Sources:

• Alimentarium.org
• NationalGeographic.com