Toulouse Restaurants

The food in Toulouse shares many characteristics with the neighbouring cuisine of Gascony, Dordogne and Perigord. Like most towns in the south of France, the people here love to eat and have made the art of gastronomy an integral part of their lifestyle.

Local cuisine

The entire southwestern region of France is renowned for its cuisine, which blends traditional French flavours with a touch of Spanish flair. Fresh game and local produce make up the core of every dish, with a focus on simple foods infused with complex flavours. Toulouse is famous for its cassoulet, a hearty stew filled with duck, pork and beans. Be sure to wash it down with one of the local Gaillac or Fronton wines, which are very good and reasonably priced.

Desserts also have a special place in this region’s cuisine. Among the most popular are croquants (biscuits made from almonds and carmelised sugar); cachou lajaunie (square liquorice candies); and gateau a la broche (a layered cake which is baked on a spit and rotated).

Where to eat

Toulouse has several excellent neighbourhoods for dining. One of the most fashionable is the rue de la Colombette, which has a wide choice of upscale restaurants. Rue de Taur is good for Vietnamese food and quick sandwich bars, while rue du May is the street for creperies and pasta.

Lounging around cafés during the day is best done in the colourful and artistic Place Arnaud-Bernard. In the evening, head over to the Place du Capitole for an early drink and bite to eat at one of the cafés such as Bibent, widely considered the city’s most distinguished café. The restaurant Auberge Louis XIII is a good choice for hearty homecooked meals in its cosy courtyard.

By far the best place to have lunch in Toulouse is above the wonderful food market in Place Victor Hugo. The handful of small restaurants crammed into the mezzanine above the market offer fantastic food at great prices. They are only open during lunch and all are closed on Mondays.