The modern sense of the word, referring to a place where meals are served to customers, originated in Paris in the 18th century. A man named Boulanger opened an establishment in 1765 where people could sit down and order "restaurants" (restoratives), referring to the soups and broths available. Following a legal dispute, Boulanger was granted the right to serve "restaurants" on the premises, effectively making his establishment the first true restaurant in the modern sense of the term.