Must-see restaurants in Toulouse, Gers & Vallée du Tarn

  • Michel Sarran

    Toulouse

    For a no-expense-spared, food-as-art dining experience, Toulouse's double-Michelin-starred master chef Michel Sarran is your man. He's earned an…

  • Flower's Café

    Toulouse

    Beside a tinkling fountain, this busy cafe is a cake lover's dream – though deciding between glistening raspberry tarts, chocolate cakes or New York–style…

  • La Pente Douce

    Toulouse

    La Pente Douce is always packed, generally with gourmet locals who love their food. Smiling chefs in the open kitchen mesmerise with superb dishes like…

  • L'Ambroisie

    Tarn

    An intimate, colourful dining room sets the tone for this widely acclaimed bistro serving exquisite food. There's an emphasis on veal and chicken…

  • Marché Victor Hugo

    Toulouse

    The beating heart of Toulouse’s food scene is this covered market, packed with local producers busily selling cheeses, fresh pasta, meats and takeaway…

  • La Braisière

    Toulouse

    This carnivorous bistro flame-grills beef to perfection, lavishing fine cuts of meat with sauces from green pepper to pungent Roquefort. Right in the…

  • Les Boissières

    Tarn

    This much-lauded hotel-restaurant about 22km northeast of Montauban, in Bioule, is well worth the detour. Chef Cyril Rosenberg blends regional cuisine…

  • Le Lautrec

    Tarn

    Tucked into the back lanes of Vieil Albi, this is the ideal spot to guzzle nourishing flavours of the Tarn region. Try smoky cassoulet or farçous …

  • Le Genty Magre

    Toulouse

    Classic French cuisine is the order of the day here, but lauded chef Romain Brard has plenty of modern tricks up his sleeve, too. The dining room feels…

  • La Table du Sommelier

    Tarn

    It's in the name – this place is for wine lovers. Owner Daniel Pestre is an experienced sommelier, with an infectious passion for his local vintages: the…

  • Maison Mecoen

    Tarn

    It’s difficult for even the staunchest dieter to pass by the tantalising display of treats – they’re presented almost as beautifully as a jewellery store …

  • La Table du Sommelier

    Tarn

    Occupying a former wine cellar overlooking one of Gaillac's most scenic squares, this local favourite cooks up a cosy dining experience, with ample beef,…

  • L'Oncle Pom

    Toulouse

    Not your average restaurant, L'Oncle Pom is a fine choice. You choose a variety and a recipe of potato, then a side dish of meat, fish or vegetables. All…

  • La Table d'Oste

    Toulouse, Gers & Vallée du Tarn

    Duck, pork and beef feature heavily on the menu at this local favourite in a peaceful street near the cathedral. In the hamburger Gascon, different…

  • Le Bistrot Gourmand

    Tarn

    Moissagais pack into this cosy restaurant opposite Abbaye St-Pierre for the artistically presented, accomplished cooking that doesn't sacrifice substance…

  • L'Escuelle des Chevaliers

    Tarn

    Right in the old town, L'Escuelle des Chevaliers plays the medieval theme – staff wear medieval clothing (think gowns and tunics) and the inspiring decor,…

  • Café Daroles

    Toulouse, Gers & Vallée du Tarn

    An enduring classical French brasserie overlooking place de la Libération, Daroles is known for its regularly changing ardoise (chalkboard) of traditional…

  • La Faim des Haricots

    Toulouse

    With confit duck and pâté featuring prominently on restaurant menus across Toulouse, this budget vegetarian canteen provides a much-needed palate cleanser…

  • Comme à La Maison

    Tarn

    It requires a bit of detective work to pin down this hidden gem, which is run with charm and efficiency. Comme à La Maison is uber-cool, ultra-healthy and…

  • Le Magret

    Toulouse

    Fresh produce reigns supreme at this cheery lunch spot, one of several casual restaurants on the upper floor of Marché Victor Hugo. The menu wanders…

  • Le P'tit Resto de Gaïa

    Lectoure

    A delicious local favourite right on the main street. Run by a husband-and-wife team, tt manages to juggle friendly service and healthy food, while…

  • Balthazar

    Toulouse

    Ask for where's best for lunch and someone will point you in the direction of Balthazar. It's a modern take on an old-style bistro, with classic Gascon…

  • Vigne en Foule

    Tarn

    This smart bistro and wine bar is one of our favourite finds in Gaillac. There's a short menu of delicious regional dishes that are given a creative twist…

  • Bistrot Saveurs

    Tarn

    Inspired by the market and his city’s rich culinary roots, English chef Simon Scott has rapidly carved out a grand name for himself at Bistrot Saveurs…

  • La Cave Ô Délices

    Tarn

    This modern French bistro has an inviting vaulted room in the basement, an open kitchen and all your old favourites given a creative new twist. Be good to…

  • Le J'Go

    Toulouse

    This much-loved Toulouse favourite won't disappoint. Its delicious menus are designed around what's in season and all ingredients are supplied by small…

  • Covered Market

    Tarn

    Albi's triangular turn-of-the-century covered market is a delight, built by the celebrated architect Thierry Bourdois and engineer André Michelin between…

  • L’Epicurien

    Tarn

    This much-lauded local restaurant serves French comfort food with a refreshing edge. Superbly executed dishes include roasted cod, Pyrénées trout and beef…

  • Solides

    Toulouse

    Ex-contestant on French Masterchef Simon Carlier continues to woo foodies in his convivial bistro with inventive dishes made from local ingredients…

  • Le Louchebem

    Toulouse

    This market-hall lunch spot gets crowded with diners eager to sample Toulouse specialities, like cassoulet with duck confit, in an unfussy setting. Arrive…

  • Restaurant Py-r

    Toulouse

    Treat yourself to roasted monkfish in lemon sauce, duck with truffles and artistically presented desserts at this sumptuous restaurant crowned with a…

  • Xavier

    Toulouse

    Follow the tangy scent of ripe Brie into this exceptional cheese shop. Browse its good-value selection of goat cheese and bleu (blue cheese), among other…

  • Auberge des Bouviers

    Lectoure

    An institution among locals and visitors alike, this appealing restaurant is renowned for its rustic Gers cuisine – try the hambur'gers, the house…

  • Au Poussin Bleu

    Toulouse

    Succumb to sweet temptation at this cake and chocolate specialist, well known for the quality of its buttery frangipane tarts, preservative-free…

  • Boulangerie St-Georges

    Toulouse

    Something of a local legend in Toulouse, this bakery sells enough crumb-generating goodies to satisfy demanding patisserie connoisseurs. Pick up fresh…

  • Meet the Meat

    Toulouse

    Opt for this carnivorous bistro if you're after expertly flamed steaks and whopping servings of roasted duck, best accompanied with rich gratin dauphinois…

  • La Reine Margot

    Toulouse

    This welcoming salon de thé specialises in fresh, healthy set lunches within a simple but cosy brick-walled space. The homemade cakes are a delight, and…

  • Solilesse

    Toulouse

    Solilesse is noted for its creative, contemporary cuisine in a cool setting. The chef combines local ingredients with world spices to create appetising…

  • Du Nord au Sud

    Tarn

    Traditional Gascon cuisine and a medley of other regional French dishes are served in this fuss-free brasserie, from lamb shank with thyme to sirloin…