The 10 Best Restaurants In Ecusson, Montpellier

Nestled in the heart of the old town, this cozy brasserie is popular with tourists and locals alike. The manager- who is also the chef will go out of his way to ensure that you have an enjoyable dining experience that won’t break the bank. In addition, the small but expertly crafted menu consisting of locally sourced, seasonal produce makes it easy to see why Le Petit Bistrot has attracted something of a cult following since its opening in 2008. As the name suggests, Le Petit Bistro isn’t huge, so arrive early or book in advance to avoid disappointment.

This fun and quirky restaurant is just a stone’s throw from the picturesque Esplanade Charles de Gaulle. The only one of its kind in Montpellier, Playfood has been nicknamed the ‘verrines’ restaurant, a verrine being a small glass containing a unique and imaginative ‘dish’. This gimmicky concept allows you to mix and match hot and cold, and sweet and savory dishes. Pick the verrines you want out of a selection of 20 (or ask the staff for inspiration) and enjoy, knowing all the while that, here, you’ll not be scolded for playing with your food.

Contrary to what its name might suggest, Le Petit Jardin, nestled in a corner of Écusson near the Saint Pierre cathedral, is surprisingly large. It has three dining rooms, a terrace and extra seating dotted around the Florentine garden. The main restaurant offers a menu which emphasizes fresh seasonal produce from local suppliers while the smaller bistro next door – ‘The Bar’ – has smaller dishes inspired by world cuisine. The fresh and tasty food on offer is undoubtedly good, but it is the restaurant’s beautiful scenery and picturesque surroundings which really make it worth the visit.

Like so many of Montpellier’s best dining establishments, this gourmet restaurant is nestled away in the heart of Écusson’s labyrinthine network of winding streets. The mouth-watering menu, expertly created by chef and wine connoisseur Thierry Germain, is centered on quality products from Montpellier and its surrounding areas, from Camargue beef and Provence lamb to wild fish fresh from the Mediterranean. To accompany the dishes, a large variety of wines from Languedoc vineyards (plus a few favorites from further afield) have been carefully chosen to complement the succulent flavors.

Dine in style in this charming family-run restaurant in the center of Écusson. With its relaxing and intimate atmosphere, L’idée Saveurs is the perfect destination for a romantic tête-à-tête or a laidback evening with friends. The innovative menu includes unorthodox blends of flavors and spices, and unusual combinations of produce from the land and from the sea, but always to great effect. A word of warning – L’idée Saveurs is habitually (and unsurprisingly) voted the best restaurant in Montpellier and is often fully booked weeks in advance, so be sure to reserve a table early to sample this Montpellier institution.

No list of the best restaurants in a given French town would be complete without a healthy dose of cheese, and La Fine Mouche delivers just that. An unusual combination of cheese shop, bar and restaurant, this unique establishment provides a selection of platters comprising quality artisan cheeses. Accompaniments of vegetables, fresh and dried fruits, and charcuterie, as well as a large selection of regional wines, locally brewed beers and freshly made fruit juices complete the meal. If there’s anything that particularly takes your fancy just step next door to the fromageriewhere you can purchase the cheeses that you’ve tried.