One of the most beautiful destinations in
France, Avignon is a fascinating medieval town full of intriguing
cultural attractions, including the wonderful
Festival d’Avignon in the summer. It also has a great number of fantastic
restaurants. Start your day of cultural exploration with a great breakfast or brunch in this lovely town. Here, we take a look at the must-taste places.
Tapenade Café
Located on the lovely Place Carnot in the centre of town, the Tapenade Café is a wonderful buzzing little spot that is regularly frequented by locals. There is a good range of choices for breakfast, including continental, American, and full English options, as well as delicious pastries, all home-made. From the superb coffee to the authentic crêpes and waffles to the delicious ice cream, everything Tapenade Café produces is of excellent quality. The outdoor is also very pleasant in the summer; a wonderful start to your day.
Address & telephone number: 9, Place Carnot, Avignon, France +33 (0)9 52 13 09 61
Restaurant Saint Louis
Restaurant, French
Restaurant Saint Louis
Part of the lovely Hotel du Cloitre Saint Louis, with a building that dates back to the 16th century, Restaurant Saint Louis is a delightful and classy place for a brunch, with its gorgeous vaulted ceilings and very pleasant courtyard on which patrons can dine during the summer. The restaurant retains its old monastery feel, with a calm, tranquil ambiance. The generous brunch buffet includes a wide range of typical French foods, including a good selection of bread, cheese, and charcuterie.
Address & telephone number: 20, Rue du Portail Boquier, Avignon, France +33 (0)4 90 27 55 55
R&M's
Sandwich Shop, French
R&M’s
Just down the road from the fascinating and beautiful Calvet and Requien museums, R&M’s is a friendly, informal little cafe with stylish decor. It has some very reasonable set breakfast menus, with a good variety of fresh French pastries, sandwiches, salads and paninis. The desserts are especially worth mentioning, with some inventive cakes, all home-made.
Address & telephone number: 50, Rue Joseph Vernet, Avignon, France +33 (0)4 88 07 35 92
Cuisine et Comptoir
Restaurant, Dessert, Pastries
Cuisine et Comptoir
Located right in the heart of this historic town, Cuisine et Comptoir is a pretty restaurant with a pleasant plane tree-sheltered terrace; an idyllic venue for a leisurely Sunday brunch. Its regularly changing, extensive brunch menu uses locally sourced, fresh ingredients and includes everything from pancakes to pains au chocolat and smoked salmon to scrambled eggs, along with sublime hot chocolates and fresh bread accompanied with home-made jams.
Address & telephone number: 24, Rue des Lices, Avignon, France +33 (0)4 90 82 18 39
Theias
Restaurant, Tea Room, Vegan, French, Tea , $$$
Theias
Nestled down one of the many labyrinthine roads of the old town, Theias is a chic and stylish little tea room, serving a number of organic products in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere. With authentic French savoury and sweet dishes, including lovely quiches, tartines and cakes, as well as organic ice cream, Theias provides a great experience of simple, delicious regional cuisine. The brunch is complemented by a fantastic selection of tea, including an especially good rooibos.
Address & telephone number: 53, Rue Vieux Sextier, Avignon, France +33 (0)4 32 76 34 79
Milk Shop
Cafe, Tea Room, Coffee Shop, Coffee, Pastries, American, $$$
Milk Shop
New York charm meets French style in the Milk Shop, a modern, American-themed coffee shop in the heart of this old French town. The buzzing atmosphere makes this a wonderful spot for a morning pastry and coffee, and its outdoor seating in this animated district is a great place for people-watching. True to its American influences, as well as fabulous coffee and French pastries, Milk Shop serves sublime milkshakes along with delicious bagels, muffins, brownies, cupcakes and cheesecake.
Address & telephone number: 26, Place des Corps Saints, Avignon, France +33 (0)9 82 54 16 82
Cuisine Chic
Restaurant, Vegan, Vegetarian, $$$
Cuisine Chic
Situated just a few hundred metres from the grand Palais des Papes, Cuisine Chic is a great spot for a breakfast. Chic indeed, this funkily decorated restaurant has a personal vibe and a fun atmosphere, aided by its open kitchen that allows patrons to enjoy watching the chefs preparing the fresh ingredients with enthusiasm. The food on offer is exquisitely presented and truly delicious, including some particularly fantastic salmon gravlax, as well as wonderful coffee (try the exceptional latte macchiato).
Address & telephone number: 10, Place des Châtaignes, Avignon, France +33 (0)9 53 61 11 91
Little Odessa
Cafe, Healthy, Coffee, $$$
Little Odessa
Located on the very pleasant square the Place Carnot, Little Odessa is a great cafe serving a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs and tartines, along with fresh orange juice and brilliant coffee. Its quirky, New York-style menu also contains a range of sumptuous bagels and hot dogs; an unusual find in France. The desserts are also great, including a delicious cheesecake, home-made sorbet and cookies.
Address & telephone number: 11, Place Carnot, Avignon, France +33 (0)4 90 82 63 26
Gustave
Restaurant, French, $$$
Gustave
Hidden down one of the many winding roads in the centre of this medieval town is the fabulous restaurant Gustave. Located on a tranquil little square with a lovely little terrace, far from the hustle and bustle of the more touristy areas, this great cafe serves wonderful salads and sandwiches, as well as an especially good and varied vegetarian platter, including quinoa, humus and aubergine. The range of hot drinks on offer is extensive too, including a great selection of tea and a divine Viennese hot chocolate.
Address & telephone number: 6, Place de la Principale, Avignon, France +33 (0)4 90 86 06 06
Mazet des Papes
A few minutes’ drive outside of Avignon’s centre, Mazet des Papes is certainly worth the trip, as it offers a truly unique brunch experience. Located on a real, working organic farm, this family run establishment serves wonderful food, all freshly sourced from the farm itself, including their own fruit juices and draft beer. You can’t get much more of an authentic, French rustic experience than this, with the animals wandering around as you eat!
Address & telephone number: 634, Chemin du Mazet, Sauveterre, France +33 (0)4 90 02 22 35
