bistro€€saint-sernin
Aux Pieds Sous La Table near Saint-Sernin in Compans-Caffarelli is the 100 percent homemade short-supply-chain bistro with daily-changing lunch menus.
Signature: Short-circuit lamb, Daily market plates, Organic seasonal vegetables
Tip: The lunch menu changes every day; book ahead. Closed Sunday and Monday.
gascon€€victor-hugo
Le Magret on the first floor of the Marche Victor Hugo is the upstairs market restaurant since 1988, drawing from the butcher counters two floors below.
Signature: Magret de canard, Saucisse de Toulouse, Cassoulet
Tip: Lunch only, finish by 13:30; this is the canonical market-upstairs lunch with a working-day crowd of producers and office staff.
gascon€€victor-hugo
L'Imperiale on the first floor of the Marche Victor Hugo is the family restaurant opened 1985, traditional southwest cuisine and a plancha for grilled fish.
Signature: Plancha grilled fish, Plancha grilled meats, Southwest plates
Tip: Lunch only, 12:00 to 14:00; a calmer alternative to Le Magret two doors down, with the same market-driven menu.
moroccan€€saint-etienne
Le Ksar on Rue Perchepinte near the Saint-Etienne cathedral is the Moroccan room widely credited with the best couscous in Toulouse, with mint tea closer.
Signature: Couscous royal, Tagine d'agneau aux pruneaux, Pastilla
Tip: The couscous royal feeds two easily; the tagine d'agneau aux pruneaux is the second-best order. Book on a Friday.
french brasserie€€€capitole
Brasserie de l'Opera at the Grand Hotel de l'Opera on Place du Capitole is the seven-days-a-week brasserie classic, with a market-driven southwest menu.
Signature: Plateau de fruits de mer, Steak frites, Cassoulet
Tip: Best for a long lunch on Sunday when smaller bistros are closed; sit at the terrace facing the Capitole.
moroccan€€saint-cyprien
La Pente Douce on the quiet Rue de la Concorde in Saint-Cyprien is the well-known Moroccan room with a surprise evening menu and strong takeaway couscous.
Signature: Couscous, Harira soup, Surprise evening menu
Tip: The surprise evening menu is the best route in; arrive by 19:30 for first sitting. Lunch is a la carte.