France Guide
Languedoc
Restaurants
1 Les Abbatoirs Chez Carmen 97 allée Charles-de-Fitte 
05.61.42.04.95 Family-run for two generations, this is one of the last of the traditional slaughterhouse-side meat emporia, with a reputation for top-of-the-line intestinal delicacies, such as calves' brains and pigs' feet. Price: Menus from €19 Opening time: Closed Sun, Mon & Aug
2 Atilla Market, place Victor-Hugo The best of the market restaurants, this no-nonsense lunchtime establishment is also one of Toulouse's best options for seafood – their Spanish zarzuela stew is a fish-lover's dream. Price: Menus from €15 Opening time: Closed Mon & part Aug
3 La Bascule 14 av Maurice-Hauriou 05.61.52.09.51 A Toulouse institution. Its chromey interior is pure Art Deco and the food well prepared and presented. The menu includes regional dishes like cassoulet, foie de canard and oysters from the Bay of Arcachon. Price: €16 and up Opening time: Closed Sat lunch & Sun
4 Benjamin 7 rue des Gestes 05.61.22.92.66 A long-standing institution for economical terroir food; service is pleasant and professional, although the atmosphere is somewhat anonymous. There's a wide selection of duck-based lunch and dinner menus from €11.50 and €19. Opening time: Open daily
5 Au Chat Dingue 40bis rue Peyrolières Small, hip bistro with cool blue decor across from the Petit Voisin bar. The selection is not overly imaginative, with a solid southern French base and occasional Italian incursions (usually in the form of pasta). Menus start at €18, but considerably more à la carte. Opening time: Closed Sun
6 Faim des Haricots 3 rue de Puits Vert 05.61.22.49.25 Toulouse's best vegetarian option, with generous formules starting at €11. Opening time: Open Mon– Sat lunch & Thurs– Sat dinner; closed first half Aug
7 Les Jardins de l'Opéra 1 place du Capitole 05.61.21.05.56 The Grand Hôtel's restaurant is Toulouse's best and most luxurious. If you fancy a splurge you will pay for it – a basic menu starts at €29 – but the food is outstanding. Opening time: Closed Sun, Mon & part Aug
8 
Michel Sarran 21 bd Armand-Duportal 05.61.12.32.32 Justifiably renowned gastronomique restaurant, a fifteen-minute walk from the place du Capitole (follow rue des Lois and rue des Salenques to the end, and turn left). Imaginative dishes with a strong Mediterranean streak are served with style and warmth. Price: Menus from €48 at lunch and €98 at dinner Opening time: Closed Wed noon, Sat, Sun & part Aug
9 Au Pois Gourmand 3 rue Émile-Heybrard 05.34.36.42.00 Great location in a riverside nineteenth-century house with a beautiful patio. The quality French cuisine does not come cheap here (menus €35–39), but is of a predictably high standard, and the carte presents a pleasant departure from purely regional dishes. Bus #66 or #14 from métro St-Cyprien-République. Opening time: Closed Sat & Mon lunch & Sun
10 Le Sept Place St-Sernin 7 place St-Sernin 05.62.30.05.30 A small house behind the basilica conceals a lively and cheerful restaurant serving inventive and original cuisine with a constantly changing carte, followed by dazzling desserts. Price: Menus €18–60 Opening time: Closed Sat lunch & Sun.