Ratatouille is the Provençal stew of summer vegetables, aubergine, courgette, peppers, tomato and onion cooked slowly in olive oil, one of the dishes Avignon households still cook.
Where to eat it: 4 restaurants across 2 cities.
The word comes from the Occitan ratatolha and the French touiller, to stir, and in the early 19th century it meant any coarse mixed stew. Tomatoes, peppers and squash reached France from the Americas but only became everyday food in the 18th and 19th centuries, and no recipe recognisable as modern ratatouille appears in print before the late 19th or early 20th century. It is most tied to Nice.
Tours, tastings and classes from the cities on this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Join us on this fantastic food tour to taste and learn everything you've ever wanted to know about French gastronomy. Savory and sweet specialities...
Day trip · 4 hours
Discover St-Emilion on a guided village tour, followed by a guided visit and tasting of 3-4 wines with a French aperitif platter at a Grand Cru...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Immerse yourself in Nice's outstanding food culture as you savor the taste of some of its best food. Whet your appetite with some of the city's best...
Day trip · 4 hours
Discover Southern Beaujolais on a wine tour from Lyon which will show the highlights of this beautiful region. Learn about the history and wine...
Tip from the editors. Frying each vegetable separately keeps the pieces whole; ratatouille tastes better the next day, warm or at room temperature.
Featured by TableJourney as a signature dish of Avignon. See where to eat Ratatouille in Avignon or the Avignon signature dishes guide.
La Merenda in Nice: No telephone, cash only, two sittings, books in person at the door earlier the same day for the lunch service in Vieux Nice.
Why locals goNo telephone, cash only, two sittings, books in person at the door earlier the same day for the lunch service in Vieux Nice.
TipArrive in person at 11:00 or 18:00 to write your name on the booking sheet for the same day's service.
Acchiardo is family nicois room on rue droite since the close of the first world war, four generations and a single lunch sitting under the family name.
Why locals goFamily Nicois room on Rue Droite since the close of the First World War, four generations and a single lunch sitting under the family name.
TipBook by phone several days ahead for the lunch service; closed Saturday and Sunday.
Lou Balico on Avenue Saint Jean Baptiste has cooked the Nicois family canon since 1979, the Cuisine Nissarde label across stockfish, homemade ravioli.
OrderThe homemade ravioli with daube sauce and the tarte de blettes for dessert.
TipClosed Sunday and Monday evenings. Generous portions; doggie bags accepted.
Le Safari on Cours Saleya offers the canonical Nicois lunch since 1972, the Cuisine Nissarde label and pissaladiere on the terrace facing the daily market.
TryPissaladiere terrace plate
More cities are in research. Want ratatouille covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.
