The bustling southern French city of Montpellier hums with energy. And an excellent food scene. Our guide to the best Montpellier restaurants features four of the most vibrant places to enjoy a meal, along with a unique spot to nab a sweet treat!
Montpellier — France’s 7th largest city — is located just a few miles from the Mediterranean Sea, about halfway between Toulouse and Marseille. This vivacious university city in the Occitanie region boasts lively squares, its own Arc de Triomphe dating to the 17th century, and a Roman-inspired aqueduct.
It’s also known for its culinary diversity, featuring excellent cuisine from around the world. From local market vendors and busy neighborhood bistros to gourmet halls and fine dining, Montpellier is a foodie wonderland.
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About this guide
Montpellier is home to three major universities, so you’ll find no shortage of inexpensive, yet delicious eateries catering to the broke student crowd. That’s mixed with lively local bars and restaurants that fill with people young and old on almost every night of the week.
And of course, you can find more upscale dining options tucked away in charming side streets and in busy city squares.
We spent a week here during a recent trip around southern France, with stops in Montpellier, Bordeaux, Bergerac, and Nice. And we did a *lot* of, um, food-related research.
🇫🇷👉🏼 Bonus: Get my Where to Eat in Bergerac, France Guide. Featuring a range of restaurant recommendations from fine dining to casual, it’s your one-stop guide for where to eat in one of France’s gastronomic capitals.
This guide features five of our favorite places to eat in Montpellier, from quick bites to steak to classic French cuisine.
We also added a bonus: a cute, little cookiserie. Think patisserie but for cookies. Definitely a must-hit spot if you find yourself in Montpellier!
Angus & Bacchus
Vibe: Angus & Bacchus derives its name from a cattle breed known for producing some of the best beef in the world, along with the Roman god of wine. So it’s no surprise what the focus is here. But this isn’t your typical steakhouse.
Tucked away in a low-ceilinged alcove near the city center, Angus & Bacchus has an intimate, casual feel. And the menu not only features steak cuts from around the world, it also has a delicious mix of charcuterie and vegetarian options.
What to order: The house charcuterie board is a great place to start. It includes a selection of thinly-sliced, incredibly flavorful hams and salami. For the steak options, the bavette (also known as flap steak) is the perfect combination of tender and tasty. It’s also reasonably priced. And the beef filet, from a French breed called Charolais, is silky yet lean.
If you prefer a vegetarian dish, try the decadent vegetable platter. It features marinated mini eggplant, roasted chickpeas, fig and smoked oil, all on a smooth bed of hummus.
Address:
4 Rue Diderot
34000 Montpellier, France
Hours:
Tue – Sun: 12 pm – 2:30 pm; 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Mon: 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Learn more at the Angus & Bacchus website.
Cafe de la Mairie
Vibe: Translated as “Town Hall Cafe,” this place has the feel of a bustling center of activity that’s perfect for bringing people together. Located in Montpellier’s St. Roch district, known for its mix of lively bars and restaurants, Cafe de la Mairie is the ideal dinner spot if you like an energetic, center-of-the-action vibe. Pro tip: choose one of the outside tables to feel even closer to the energy of this part of the city.
What to order: Cafe de la Mairie boasts a large menu of salads, appetizers, and main courses featuring fresh local ingredients. If you’re in the mood for fish, opt for the tuna steak with silky peppercorn sauce. The sauce alone is next-level. And if you’re craving traditional French steak frites, you’ll love the Côte à l’os. It’s similar to a rib-eye, but with the bone still attached. The rich marbling of this cut results in a tender, flavorful steak.
Address:
14 Rue du Plan d’Agde
34000 Montpellier, France
Hours:
Mon – Fri: 12 pm – 2:30 pm; 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Sat – Sun: 12 pm – 3 pm; 6 pm – 11 pm
Learn more at the Cafe de la Mairie website.
Casa di Giorgio
Vibe: Set in one of Montpellier’s many vibrant city squares, Casa di Giorgio offers up a taste of Italy, with an array of pizzas, pastas, and Italian cheeses. Located just minutes from Montpellier’s famous Place de la Comedie, this eatery is a great lunch option. And it becomes a lively, buzzing scene come dinner time. We grabbed a table for dinner one night and watched as the square came alive with people all enjoying a warm summer evening meal.
What to order: Casa di Giorgio has a whole menu dedicated to pizza, so if you’re craving one, you’ll find something that hits the spot here. We opted for some arancini and pasta instead. One of our favorites: the tortellini di Parma — tortellini served with slices of crispy Parma ham and cherry tomatoes in a creamy tomato sauce.
Address:
10 Rue de la Loge
34000 Montpellier, France
Hours:
Sun-Thu: 12 pm – 10 pm
Fri-Sat: 12 pm – 10:30 pm
Learn more at the Casa di Giorgio website.
Chez Rosalie
Vibe: This city center bistro is the perfect spot to pop in for a quick lunch while you’re busy sightseeing in Montpellier. Nestled across the street from the city’s busy Place Castellane (and nearby Halles Castellane food hall), Chez Rosalie serves up a range of house-made salads, sandwiches, and specials. Settle into one of this cafe’s cozy tables in the back and you’ll feel like you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle of the city.
Unlike many of the leisurely meals we enjoyed while in France, the experience here really is much faster. So if you like to grab a meal and be out the door onto your next adventure, you’ll feel right at home at Chez Rosalie.
What to order: If you like a traditional French bite, go for the jambon et fromage tart. Served in slices like a thick pizza, it’s loaded with tasty cooked ham slices topped with crispy shredded cheese. Another house favorite is the Buddha Bowl. Filled with a fresh mix of green beans, apples, potatoes, and quinoa, along with some sliced Basque Ham, it’s hearty and satisfying.
Address:
6 Rue Saint-Guilhem
34000 Montpellier, France
Hours:
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wed: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm; Sat: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; Sun: Closed
Pinocchio Restaurant
Vibe: This relaxing restaurant is perched in yet another of Montpellier’s many energetic squares. And it’s tailor-made for sipping an apero and tucking into some dinner after a day in the city. So that’s exactly what we did, starting with a couple of spritzes before diving into some of Pinocchio’s delicious Italian-inspired dishes.
What to order: If you like seafood, start with the crispy panko-covered prawns. The tender prawns coupled with the crunchy texture of the panko will have you wanting more. Carry the theme into the main course with Pinocchio’s creamy prawn risotto, served with zucchini and Parmigiano Reggiano. Or opt for one of their signature pizzas, like the di Parma, topped with a generous portion of aged Parma ham along with Riviera olives.
Address:
5 Pl. Jean Jaurès
34000 Montpellier, France
Hours:
Sun-Thu: 12 pm – 2:30 pm; 7 pm-10 pm
Fri-Sat: 12 pm – 2:30 pm; 7 pm-10:30 pm
Learn more at the Pinocchio restaurant website.
Flour Cookies
Vibe: France is well-known for its famous patisseries. They’re seemingly around every corner. But you don’t often come across a cookiserie. Thankfully, we did when we found the delightful Flour (in our case, this was located about a block away from our AirBnB. Score!).
This charming, cozy shop makes all of their cookies in-house. And they also offer a selection of coffees and teas to go along with them. It makes for a fun, quirky twist on the traditional bakery or coffee shop.
What to order: We opted for a macadamia cookie and a classic chocolate chip with a gooey chocolate center. Both were the perfect treat and the ideal way to unwind after a long day walking around the city. And in the warmer spring and summer months, you can take an outside table and watch the world go by. One delicious cookie at a time.
Address:
8 Rue du Faubourg du Courreau
34000 Montpellier, France
Hours:
Daily: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Learn more at the Flour Cookiserie website.
If you visit, please be sure to let them know that you read about it on Urban Bliss Life! And if you snap some pics, tag us @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.
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