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With a long history, yet young population, Montpellier's bars and restaurants vary in mood and setting. Choose between appetising local specialties, or if you prefer, Italian, Spanish, Moroccan, and Mediterranean cuisine, which are all particularly well represented here.

Local Specialties

If you're tempted by local specialties (goat's or sheep's cheese, cold cuts, shellfish, olives and chestnuts), the Maison de la Lozère is great for rural produce and the Bonne Bouille, for fish.

Italian

Lovers of Italian food will appreciate the high class Verdi, Pizza Pizzeta, Pizzeria Sicilia, and the little Maramao. Tapas fans should try La Cueva or La Fuente.

Arabian

The best of Arabian cuisine is also on offer: try couscous & tajines at Kasbah, Palmier, Regency, Jardins de Marrakech. Cèdres du Liban and Al Manara are good spots for Lebanese cuisine.

Snacks

If you're after a snack, other establishments are both easy and cost-efficient: the Pita Grecque (good sandwiches), the Petit ogre, Botan Kebab, the Le Fil (a lively bar), the Aligot (particularly weekday lunchtimes)... The city's tea rooms offer a pleasant change of scene: try Simple Simon or L'Heure Bleue.

Student Hangouts

The large student population (a quarter of its habitants, i.e. 65,000) gather, especially on Wednesdays and Thursdays, in all its different bars, open until one o'clock (2 o'clock in summer). There's bodega at the Toro Loco, games at the Rebuffy, electronic music at Next and l'Antidote, themed evenings at l'Odyssée. Serious party-goers meet at Macadam.

Atmosphere

Aesthetes will love the town's beautiful squares, and their vestiges of ancient chapels and churches, now destroyed. The Place de la Chapelle Neuve, is home to Chez Marceau, a bistro-style restaurant, and the Vieil Ecu. If you find yourself on Place Candolle check out the friendly Roule Ma Poule. Aperitifs at La Place or tapas at Pépé Carvalho are the order of the day in the charming Place Saint Ravy, with its beautiful fountain. On the squares near Saint Roch, there is a reasonably priced Mediterranean restaurant, La Posada, and the slightly more stylish Sister's Café. In the Place du Marché aux fleurs you will love the fresh cuisine at Saleya and the popular bar des Capucins.

International

You should also explore the original establishments that nestle in the city's suburbs: specialities from North Africa at Caféteria Boutonnet in Boutonnet; organic food at Quatres Saisons in the Beaux-Arts quarter; more African cuisine at Maquis in rue de la Méditerrannée; the excellent Chinese Cheng Du, specialities from the mountains at the Grenier Savoyard. Figuerolles/Plan Cabanes is also worth a visit. There's the cheap, oriental Mac Khalid; the exotic Port Salengro or the endless pizzas at Repalatin.

Off the Beaten Track

Don't forget that the city extends to the banks of the river Lez (Antigone) and to the sea (Port Mariane) where you can also find luxurious restaurants like the Chandelier and Fabrice Guilleux and popular spots like Valli ou L'Assiette au Boeuf.

Take a trip off the beaten track to some great restaurants on the littoral (at Sète or close to the Etang de Thau for seafood & shellfish) and good inns that are typical of the garrigues region: Chez la Tchèpe, Pressoir de Saint Saturnin.







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Chandelier


Elegant restaurant
267, rue Léon Blum
(La Coupole)
Montpellier 34000
France
+33 467 15 3438
Located in a luxurious and elegant building in the Antigone district (designed by the architect Ricardo Boffil), Gilbert Furlan and Jean Marc Forest invite you to experiment with your tastebuds. After homemade sweet and sour aperitifs, you can peruse the menu which varies according to the season and the market. This very fine, gastronomic cuisine includes dishes such as parmentière de pince de homard en civet (stewed lobster claws), ris de veau en fricassée de petits artichauts (calf's sweetbread with artichokes) and pigeonneau poêlé aux lentilles vertes (baby pigeon with green lentils). Satisfaction and a stylish service are guaranteed.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Cueva


Indisputably authentic tapas
18, rue St- Sépulcre
Montpellier 34000
France
+33 467 60 2517
In a small, quiet back street near Place Saint Anne, this little place (with outside tables in the summer) is owned by a typical and very friendly Spanish couple. The menu lets you choose from a large selection of tapas and other specialities as well as paella, pailladas, zarzuelas and grilled meat and fish in a convivial setting with Spanish music playing in the background.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Cueva photo by wcities
Photo: wcities
 

 
Figuerolles


Montpellier
France
Southwest of the centre is Figuerolles, a lively quartier arabe where the music, language and aromas evoke the North African roots of many of its residents. Home to one of Montpellier's cheapest markets and numerous inexpensive shops, restaurants and bars, this area is off the tourist trail. There are many restaurants and bars around the station and the adjacent Rondelet district. Dominated by busy boulevards, the district lacks any distinct identity, but concerts at the Cargo, the Antirouille and the Saxophone, and the Diagonal Centre cinema, are all popular attractions.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Figuerolles photo by Doug
Photo: Doug
 

 
Fil


Ambiance unlimited
16, rue du Pilat St-Gély
Montpellier 34000
France
+33 467 66 2067
This hip club is a very happening bar and a popular meeting place for artists, students and others on limited means. The bar is well known for its exhibitions, concerts, readings and theme evenings. Many still recall the "Mafia" evening, with Al Capone look-alikes all sporting plastic tommy guns. Thursday is dance night and a decidedly merry ambiance is always guaranteed. The chef claims never to serve the same thing twice and manages to live up to his claim while still offering excellent dishes.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Fil photo by wcities
Photo: wcities
 

 
Heure Bleue


A fairytale setting
1, rue de la Carbonnerie
Montpellier 34000
France
+33 467 66 4105
If one comes to sample the delightfully scented teas, one can leave with one of the many displayed antiques that are for sale. Charm and elegance define this tea-room, with a beautiful inner court and attractive carpets all gently lit by many small lamps. While browsing the bookshelves, you can order from a wide range of excellent spiced teas and coffees, delicate patisseries and, at lunchtime, main course dishes bearing such poetic names as fée verte (Green elf; vegetable pie with cereals and feta omelette) or Taira de Séville (tomato, ham and tortilla chips).

Review © 2007, Wcities
Heure Bleue photo by wcities
Photo: wcities
 

 
Maramao


Relaxed Italian ambience
65, rue de l'Aiguillerie
Montpellier 34000
France
+33 467 60 3025
Two generations of Italians devote themselves to producing excellent paninis (hot sandwiches made with home made bread) which are without doubt the best in the city. There is also a choice of fresh salads, pasta specialties and some really good desserts. Pass a relaxing afternoon seated at the outdoor tables, sipping the excellent seasonal fruit juices that are available on request. On occasional evenings, small theatre groups perform plays in the downstairs room to a fairly young and easy going clientele.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Pepe Carvalho


Spanish snacks
2, rue Cauzit
Montpellier 34000
France
+33 467 66 1010
Named after the private eye hero of the books by the Catalan author Montalban, this restaurant and bar offers a good selection of tapas and other Spanish specialties. The main dining room, which hosts painting exhibitions, is often full, but there is also a picturesque terrace in the tiny Rue Cauzit, not far from Rue de la Lodge. Tapas, drinks and a variety of snakes are on offer, including formule magique (five snacks with morsels of meat and tortilla chips.)

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Rebuffy


Excellent beer & many games
2, rue Rebuffy
Montpellier 34000
France
+33 467 66 3276
This tranquil little bar is a stones throw from the Préfecture. The specialities of the place include several good ales and stouts as well as an excellent mead. A young, fairly cosmopolitan clientele who also come for the many board games that are available. An excellent place to make new acquaintances.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Repalatin


Festive pizzas
42, faubourg Figuerolles
Montpellier 34000
France
+33 467 92 2785
This minuscule restaurant, situated in a true working-class district, is able to seat up to about fifteen (so reserve in advance) and offers an unusual selection of well garnished pizzas (toppings such as Tandoori chicken or Feta cheese, creme and basil), quiches and daily concoctions. The Tiramisu is well worth trying for desert. The atmosphere is relaxed with customers all seated around a large table. In the evening, a cocktail is served free of charge and if you are lucky, the proprietor may share his penchant for Irish whiskeys and liqueurs.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Repalatin photo by wcities
Photo: wcities
 

 
Roule ma poule


Sunny location
20, rue Candolle
Montpellier 34000
France
+33 467 60 3615
Set in one of the most tranquil and sunny city centre squares, the numerous outdoor tables prove particularly popular during spring afternoons and summer evenings. Inside there is a fascinating collection of motorbike paraphernalia. One can choose from a selection of very reasonably priced salads and other dishes generally served with French fries. A friendly bar-restaurant which has a loyal clientele and is a popular lunchtime choice among students from the nearby faculties.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Roule ma poule photo by jon
Photo: jon
Roule ma poule photo by william tennant
Photo: william tennant
 

 
Simple Simon


So quaint
1, rue des Trésoriers de France
Montpellier 34000
France
+33 467 66 0343
In the heart of the Ecusson, this establishment presents a cosy image of England with beautiful furniture and pretty, dollhouse-style decorations. The menu includes teas, hot chocolates, coffees, milkshakes and some very British cakes. There are also full breakfasts, tarts, scones and pies accompanied by salad vegetable served in beautiful crockery. The perfect tea room. Dishes of the day start at EUR9.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Verdi


Italian refinement
10, rue Aristide Olivier
Montpellier 34000
France
+33 467 58 6855
This restaurant near the train station has a very luxurious decor in pretty pastel yellows and greens and even its own little library. The menu features refined Italian cuisine, with not a pizza in sight (these are available in the adjacent Verdi pizzeria). Instead, you will can savour excellent minestrones, delicious fresh pasta and a variety of meat dishes such as brescola with very attentive service and a friendly chef who is always open to suggestions or requests. What more could one ask for?

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Montpellier - Dining & Drinking"
Montpellier
Montpellier - Historical Background
Montpellier - Neighborhood Guide
Montpellier - Where to Stay
Montpellier - Art & Entertainment

Other nearby cities:
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