Where to eat in Toulouse

Le Bistroquet et Sa Cantine

A nice little restaurant in the city centre. We went at lunch time and for €15.50, we enjoyed a starter buffet, a main (from choice of 3 dishes) and a desert buffet. The starter buffet offered so many different choices and was lots of fun, but taste was ‘okay’ overall. I chose a gnocchi for my main, it came with a beef salad but I asked only for some greens. The gnocchi was really good, light and fluffy with super tasty cheesy sauce. The desert buffet was also fun and generous: tiramisu, fruits salad, chocolate mousse, crapes, pear tarts… I really enjoyed the pear tart and I would happily order it as an individual item. I think they finish the lunch service at around 2PM and re-opens for dinner with more local/French style menu. Lunch, I believe was more European cuisine. Friendly service and attentive without making any fuss. The place was packed with many people eating, socialising and having a good time. The generous buffet created a certain sense of freedom and togetherness, it almost felt like we were at someone’s home party 😉 

10 rue Labeda, 31000, Toulouse, France  +33 5 34 30 55 71

Marche Victor Hugo

A bustling busy fresh food market in the middle of the city offering a variety of foods: cheeses, wines, breads, seafoods, dried meats etc… Some stalls offer seafood platters that you can eat then and there, with a glass of wine if you wish.

There are restaurants upstairs. We got there too late and all the restaurants had already stopped taking orders, but it looked super busy and there was a great buzz. A few restaurants are crammed into one large-ish space with no dividing walls in between. Most of them appeared to have a 3 course set menu for around €20 as well as a la carte. I’m not sure if they are open for dinner though.

Asia Village

It was an early evening on Sunday and many restaurants were shut. That’s when we stumble upon this place. As soon as you step into this large, canteen like space, you are bombarded, or welcomed, by a very long line of pre-cooked Asian dishes. The selection is huge; spring rolls, steam buns, stir fries, sushi rolls, you name it. Some dishes, such as spring rolls, were freshly prepared. Each dish shows a per portion price so you can control how much you want to spend/eat and also don’t have to worry too much about the language barrier; just use your finger – point. C had a bowl of noodle soup with pork broth (€6.50) which he liked. I had a portion of stir fried flat rice noodle with egg (€2.80), it was nice and the egg was surprisingly fluffy.

It is a non-fancy, completely informal and inclusive eatery where you could come, eat and leave as you are. I actually enjoyed this unusual setting.

73 avenue des Minimes, 31200, Toulouse, France  +33 5 61 57 94 45