Eating out
This is a small selection of our favourite restaurants. It is in no way exhaustive, Toulouse is full of good places to eat, but it will give you a couple of pointers.
Les Toulousains : n'hésitez pas à y ajouter des commentaires pour enrichir la liste !!
Le Bistrot de l'Etoile (6, Rue de l'Etoile)
They have a set menu at 25€, plenty of specialities from the "Sud Ouest" and loads of atmosphere. Check out their website (in English) for more details: http://bistrotdeletoile.fr/intro.html
Le Verjus (7 Rue Tolosane)
This is our number one favorite restaurant. It has a very typcial bistrot type feel to it and the bearded gallic looking owner (who incidently speaks perfect English) will have your mouths watering as he talks you through the menu. They have an extremely comprehensive wine list, almost exclusively made up of wines from the South West of France. A four course meal with loads of wine will usually set you back about 50€
L'Astragale (30, Rue Peyrolières)
This is a quiet, inexpensive little restaurant with some tasty surprises. Set menus start at 19€.
Bambino (39, Rue de Remusat)
The best pizzas in Toulouse are to be found at this family run Italian restaurant. Ideal for lunch in the sun, watching the shoppers. Pizzas start at around 12€ and their home made pasta is yummy!
Le Grand Café de l'Opéra (1, Place du Capitole)
This is very, very typically French. Old school professional French waiters with the serviette over the arm, just like in the films. They have an express lunch menu at 17€, but if you have more money to spend, then there are plenty of things on the menu "à la carte" that will tempt you. More details at www.brasserieopera.com
Les Jardins de l'Opéra (1, Place du Capitole)
This is the most expensive restaurant on our list, and the only one to have a Michelin star. It's situated in the courtyard behind the Grand Café de l'Opéra. Set menus start at 70€ and each course consists in a trilogy of complementary dishes. More details at www.lesjardinsdelopera.com
L'Orchidée (46, Rue Peyrolières)
This excellent Thai restaurant is owned and run by a Londoner who previously owned a Thai restaurant in London before packing up shop and staff and moving to Toulouse.
Au Bruit Qui Court (11, Rue Jean Suau)
A simple, inexpensive (cheapest on the list) little restaurant with a cosy atmosphere. Set menus are priced between 8,50€ and 16,50€ - a far cry from the "Rip Off Republic"!! More details at www.sudissimo.com
Bistrot J'Go (16, Place Victor Hugo)
Lamb, lamb, lamb and more lamb ... and a little Porc Noir de Bigorre (wild black pig from the Pyrenees). The name is a play on words (the French LOVE playing on words): I'm off = j'y vais, but it's trendy to slip in the odd word of English, which leaves you with j'y go, shortened to j'go; add to that the fact that gigot is a leg (of lamb) and you've got it ! Great atmosphere in here, and just next door is their very lively wine bar decked in photos of corridas and stuffed bulls' heads (the Spanish amongst you should feel at home!!). More details at www.lejgo.com
La Belle Equipe (22, Rue des Polinaires)
This is a favorite. We used to live just above, and when it's warm you can sit outside to eat, or enjoy a glass of wine and listen to the wind in the willowy trees around you.
Hinodé (17 , Rue d'Austerlitz)
The finest sushi in town, and the only Japanese restaurant in Toulouse to have avoided the usual tacky decor. Good idea for purging your system after too much foie gras.
Les Toulousains : n'hésitez pas à y ajouter des commentaires pour enrichir la liste !!
Le Bistrot de l'Etoile (6, Rue de l'Etoile)
They have a set menu at 25€, plenty of specialities from the "Sud Ouest" and loads of atmosphere. Check out their website (in English) for more details: http://bistrotdeletoile.fr/intro.html
Le Verjus (7 Rue Tolosane)
This is our number one favorite restaurant. It has a very typcial bistrot type feel to it and the bearded gallic looking owner (who incidently speaks perfect English) will have your mouths watering as he talks you through the menu. They have an extremely comprehensive wine list, almost exclusively made up of wines from the South West of France. A four course meal with loads of wine will usually set you back about 50€
L'Astragale (30, Rue Peyrolières)
This is a quiet, inexpensive little restaurant with some tasty surprises. Set menus start at 19€.
Bambino (39, Rue de Remusat)
The best pizzas in Toulouse are to be found at this family run Italian restaurant. Ideal for lunch in the sun, watching the shoppers. Pizzas start at around 12€ and their home made pasta is yummy!
Le Grand Café de l'Opéra (1, Place du Capitole)
This is very, very typically French. Old school professional French waiters with the serviette over the arm, just like in the films. They have an express lunch menu at 17€, but if you have more money to spend, then there are plenty of things on the menu "à la carte" that will tempt you. More details at www.brasserieopera.com
Les Jardins de l'Opéra (1, Place du Capitole)
This is the most expensive restaurant on our list, and the only one to have a Michelin star. It's situated in the courtyard behind the Grand Café de l'Opéra. Set menus start at 70€ and each course consists in a trilogy of complementary dishes. More details at www.lesjardinsdelopera.com
L'Orchidée (46, Rue Peyrolières)
This excellent Thai restaurant is owned and run by a Londoner who previously owned a Thai restaurant in London before packing up shop and staff and moving to Toulouse.
Au Bruit Qui Court (11, Rue Jean Suau)
A simple, inexpensive (cheapest on the list) little restaurant with a cosy atmosphere. Set menus are priced between 8,50€ and 16,50€ - a far cry from the "Rip Off Republic"!! More details at www.sudissimo.com
Bistrot J'Go (16, Place Victor Hugo)
Lamb, lamb, lamb and more lamb ... and a little Porc Noir de Bigorre (wild black pig from the Pyrenees). The name is a play on words (the French LOVE playing on words): I'm off = j'y vais, but it's trendy to slip in the odd word of English, which leaves you with j'y go, shortened to j'go; add to that the fact that gigot is a leg (of lamb) and you've got it ! Great atmosphere in here, and just next door is their very lively wine bar decked in photos of corridas and stuffed bulls' heads (the Spanish amongst you should feel at home!!). More details at www.lejgo.com
La Belle Equipe (22, Rue des Polinaires)
This is a favorite. We used to live just above, and when it's warm you can sit outside to eat, or enjoy a glass of wine and listen to the wind in the willowy trees around you.
Hinodé (17 , Rue d'Austerlitz)
The finest sushi in town, and the only Japanese restaurant in Toulouse to have avoided the usual tacky decor. Good idea for purging your system after too much foie gras.