Food in Toulouse France – 5 Rustic dishes you simply must try

With its rich culinary history, France is the perfect destination for foodies and Toulouse is most certainly no exception to this. Come on holiday and you’ll have the chance to sample a vast array of Toulouse food in the city’s restaurants, cafes and markets.

So, what should you eat first and where should you go to try it? There’s no shortage of wonderful places to dine and Toulouse specialties to sample. Here’s our guide to five famous food in France you simply must order on your trip to Toulouse.

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Toulouse cuisine

Foie gras

Made from the liver of a specially-fattened goose or duck, foie gras has a smooth, rich texture to it. It’s usually available as a starter or as an accompaniment to a main meal.

Foie gras is traditionally eaten on special occasions, such as New Year’s Eve and Christmas Day. However, it can be found in restaurants throughout Toulouse all year round. The Cordon Rose on rue Valade is among the establishments to offer it as a starter dish.

Cassoulet

When you’ve worked up an appetite seeing the various sights of the city, a cassoulet will certainly satisfy your hunger. It’s named after the casserole – the traditional French earthenware pot it is cooked in. This slow-cooked Toulouse traditional food contains white haricot beans, vegetables, herbs and a range of meats.

The particular meats found in a cassoulet tend to differ depending on where in France you are. Trying this traditional Toulouse dish means you’re likely to have pork sausage with goose or duck confit. Follow the lead of the locals by drinking a hearty glass of red wine along with your meal – such as one from the Collioure region of France.

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To taste a true and traditional Toulouse cassoulet you should plan on visiting Le Colombier. This establishment has served homemade Toulouse food specialties since 1873. It can be easily reached when using car hire from Toulouse Airport.

The establishment’s wine cellar consists of vintages from Bordeaux and Burgundy, among other regions. There is plenty of scope to find a bottle that complements your cassoulet perfectly.

What to eat in Toulouse

Garbure

Garbure is the perfect food to have in Toulouse if you’re in need of some sustenance. Often served during the winter months, this thick, hearty soup features a mixture of meat and vegetables.

The specific ingredients vary depending on where you go to eat. It was traditionally made by peasants who used whatever ingredients were available at the time – cabbage and pork are usually two mainstays.

The meal is cooked in a toupin, an earthenware round-bellied casserole dish. The sign you can be sure you’re tucking into authentic garbure is if the spoon can stand up straight in the bowl without falling over.

Toulouse sausage

Lovers of rustic cuisine may be aware of Cumberland sausages, but if you’re on holiday in France it’s well worth seeking out Toulouse sausages. Consisting of diced pork that has been flavoured with wine, smoked bacon and garlic, this tastes great when fried or braised. You can eat it on its own, although you’re likely to discover it while tucking into cassoulet.

Croquants

Although fairly simple to bake, a croquant is bound to be a heavenly experience for any fan of French cuisine. This savoury dessert consists of crisp biscuits made from almonds and caramelised sugar. They are the perfect way to finish off a traditional Toulouse meal.

A famous food in France, you can eat them on their own, although pairing them with chocolate or fruit – such as raspberries – is sure to bring out their flavour even more!

Are you planning a trip to Toulouse? Let us know what Toulouse France food you’re looking forward to tasting by leaving a comment!

Photo credits: Cassoulet by Jonathan Caves, Garbure by podchef, Toulouse Sausages by avlxyz, and Croquants aux amandes by Seb Przd.

More Food to enjoy in Europe

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My thanks for this sponsored* post to Auto Europe who offer Car Hire from Toulouse Airport to start your culinary adventure.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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