The Best Rooftop Bars and Restaurants in Toulouse
In our opinion – a completely unbiased one – Toulouse is the most beautiful city in France. No one can argue against the fact that it has a lot going for it. The buildings, in particular, in the pink and orange hues of terracotta, make the city “La Ville Rose”, and nothing is more spectacular than seeing those buildings glow in the setting sun. One can lose track of time gazing at the octagonal bell towers of Couvent des Jacobins and Saint Sernin piercing through the sea of red. Visitors to Toulouse are truly spoiled and can never look at a typical grey building in the same way again.
That is why we need a list of the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Toulouse, to eat and drink, and most importantly, ogle at the pink beauty as far as the eye can see (with those jaw-dropping snowy peaks of the Pyrenees in the distance – another plus in anyone’s book).
So, here are our favorite rooftop bars and restaurants – those haunts where you have a bird’s eye view over Toulouse, all the while sipping on a tipple or two. And if this blog leaves you feeling inspired to get out and explore the city for yourself, consider joining us on a guided Toulouse Walking Tour or Tasting Experience.
Ma Biche Sur Le Toit
The first rooftop bar on the list is the most popular according to both locals and tourists alike. Ma Biche Sur Le Toit perches atop the Galeries Lafayette in the city center with both interior seating and a panoramic patio for you to gaze at the sea of red roofs over cocktails. Even the bathrooms take advantage of the surroundings with floor-to-ceiling windows, so that photos are mandatory after you wash your hands.
Ma Biche Sur Le Toit doesn’t just boast an incredible view, as the rooftop is a gastronomic destination too. Its menu was designed by Michelin-starred chef and TV personality Michel Sarran, a local of the region, and is full of intriguing Asian influences, including teriyaki pork belly and trout gravlax with lemongrass.
Then, after dinner, the rooftop transforms into a nightclub. Dance under the stars to DJ sets and dress up for their outrageously themed costume parties, enjoying the bar’s extensive champagne and gin and tonic menus!
Address: des Galeries Lafayette, 4-8 Rue du Lieutenant Colonel Pélissier 6e étage, 31000 Toulouse
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 – 2:00/3:00
Le Mahogany Club
Hidden in the Mercure Toulouse Centre Saint-Georges – one of our recommended places to stay in Toulouse – is Le Mahogany Club, a secret rooftop cocktail bar (and swimming pool!). Enjoy the cozy lounge on winter nights or, on a warm summer’s evening, relax in one of the poolside deckchairs on the terrace.
This is the bar for cocktail connoisseurs. Shaken and stirred by the resident mixologist, Le Mahogany Club offers an imaginative selection of classic and creative drinks. Sip cocktails that celebrate local ingredients, including the gin of the region, Le Point G, paired with violet liqueur, the floral flavor of the city, or opt for the summer classics served in tiki-themed tankards. Enjoy an evening’s apéro, including charcuterie boards of saucisson, cheeses, and tartines (generously topped toasts).
Le Mahogany Club is discreetly tucked away on the edge of Place Saint George, and remains a terrasse that will not be disturbed.
Address: Rue Saint-Jérôme, 31000 Toulouse
Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 15:00 – 00:00
Mama Shelter
Another of our highly recommended hotels in Toulouse also comes with its own rooftop bar and restaurant that draws in locals for its lofty sunsets, flamboyant atmosphere, and lengthy cocktail list. Right in the heart of the city, Mama Shelter stretches up to six floors, with the rooftop bar and restaurant proudly presented at the top!
Enjoy beachside vibes from a city-based rooftop – overlook the pink city from the comfort of a parasol-shaded deckchair, or recline in a cabana as you sip rosé! But it doesn’t end there, as Mama Shelter’s rooftop oasis is enormous! Head over to the bar for apéro starting from 4pm, and then, once you’re well hydrated and hungry, order from the outdoor pizza kitchen starting at 6 pm.
Then, twice a week at sunset, the party starts! Every Thursday and Friday throughout the summer, DJs take up residence on the rooftop. Take in the spectacular sunset view as you dance and meet friends over cocktails, making Mama Shelter the perfect summer night destination!
Address: 54 56 Bd Lazare Carnot, 31000 Toulouse
Opening times: Open every day all year (depending on weather), 12:00/15:30 – 23:00/00:00
Gigiland
As a family-friendly terrace to complement all the other late-night rooftop bars, Gigiland is a tranquil and cozy hidden gem. Concealed on the fourth floor of Toulouse’s popular homeware store, Midica, Gigiland is a daytime café, open for breakfast, lunch, and a teatime snack. Its spacious interiors with booths and velvet couches offer beautiful views of Rue de Metz and the surrounding rooftops. But the unique selling point is their hidden rooftop terrace.
Secreted away in the center of the rooftop is the Gigiland terrace. Fringed parasols shelter diners from the sun as you sit and eat on cushioned benches. Lodged between the red roofs of Toulouse, this plant-strewn terrace is a haven. If you’re looking for a sunny lunchtime spot that is also calm and quiet – usually an impossible find – then Gigiland is your answer.
Join locals who descend on Gigiland throughout the day for their canteen-style customizable breakfast and lunches, and to do a spot of co-working with friends or colleagues. There is also a meeting space and a kids’ playroom, making Gigiland a rooftop destination for everyone.
Address: 13 Pl. Etienne Esquirol, 31000 Toulouse
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 – 19:30
La Voile Blanche
If you’re looking for a long summer party – ideally with a swimming pool! Then La Voile Blanche has you covered. Based outside the city center near Blagnac, next to Wam Park Leisure Centre and lake, La Voile Blanche has a beautiful view of the surrounding nature. This means it also has the space and Mediterranean vibes to turn their luxury swimming pool into a sandy beach, restaurant, and then nightclub come sunset! While we can’t classify it as a rooftop, the restaurant’s emphasis on relaxation with incredible scenery is enough for us to add it to the list!
Relax and sunbathe with friends on hot sunny afternoons, enjoying the poolside cocktails, charcuterie boards, and other tapas. Retreat to the restaurant come dinnertime for gourmet grills of prime rib, chicken or duck skewers, and entrecôte. Then, in the evening, themed DJ sets and exclusive events set the mood before the nightclub opens every Thursday to Saturday from 10:30 pm.
One of the best things about La Voile Blanche is that it is open all year round – enjoy the pool parties in summer and the chalet-style gut-busting menus in winter. But no matter the season, if you like to have a drink and a boogie, there are themed parties throughout the year!
Address: Parc de Sesquières, 26 All. des Foulques, 31200 Toulouse
Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday, 19:30 – 3:00. Pool parties every Wednesday and Sunday, 16:00 – 23:00
The Social Hub
The Social Hub knows how to pull out all the stops. Not only is it another of our highly recommended hotels and a popular co-working space, but it also has a rooftop bar, restaurant, and swimming pool up its sleeve – phew!
Combine all of your stays into one at The Social Hub – book a room and, upon your return from exploring the city, escape to the rooftop bar for drinks, poolside snacks, lounging on daybeds, and a refreshing dip. Spend the evening there, enjoying the newly-opened terrace restaurant, and stay for evening entertainment including DJ sets, live music, silent discos, and their new monthly event Above Toulouse, which includes installations from local artists and a food market! If you’re not a guest at the hotel, reserve your place on a sun-lounger ahead of time with their lunch and pool access deal.
The Social Hub sits on the edge of the city center in the university district, and at seven stories high, the rooftop soars above Toulouse! Such a breathtaking panorama cannot be missed.
Address: 1 Rue de Sébastopol, 31000 Toulouse
Restaurant opening times: Every day, 13:00 – 15:00, 19:30 – 22:00/23:00
Swimming pool opening times: Every day, 12:00 – 20:00
Sangha Hotel
Floating high above all the other rooftop bars on this list is the lofty Sangha cocktail bar on the eighth floor of the Sangha Hotel. A new addition to the city and to the rooftop list, Sangha is a decadent spot for brunch and Happy Hour drinks with the competitive advantage of its location in the calm yet up-and-coming Cartoucherie eco-district.
Bright and airy, the rooftop interior is all high ceilings and glass to give everyone a spectacular view of the neighborhood, the Toulouse center, and even the Pyrenees beyond. The hotel and bar’s focus is wellness and serenity, so the rooftop includes a 150-square-meter patio and Zen garden with a bird’s eye view, and the weekend brunch packages offer yoga or Pilates.
The bar serves Asian-inspired cocktails and charcuterie boards or snacks with a fusion twist, and hosts Happy Hour every Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 pm to 7 pm. Sangha’s rooftop is also a dream destination for weekend brunch. Choose from sweet and savory options and start your day overlooking Toulouse.
Address: 8, Place de la Charte des Libertés Communales, 31300 Toulouse
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday, 15:00 – 23:00
Guinguette de l’Observatoire
While this last bar on the list cannot be considered a rooftop, it does offer one of the most incredible views of the city, so we had to include it! This summer, take the cable car (télépherique) up the Pech David hillside in the south of Toulouse. Just a 15-minute walk from the Hopital Rangueil – Louis Lareng stop is Guinguette de l’Observatoire, the outdoor pop-up bar where you watch the sun set over Toulouse!
The hilltop has had a makeover. Strewn with picnic tables, parasols, and fairy lights, Pech David is the perfect spot to wine and dine while immersed in nature. Tuck into local food – tapas, sharing platters, charcuterie, and cheese, as well as burgers and salads for dinner – and order cocktails, spritzes, and wine, all to stay hydrated on those glorious summer evenings!
Bring your friends, children, and pets, and should you wish, feel free to take along a picnic, as the hilltop is spacious with many comfortable spots to soak up the evening sun. Take along your own boules to make the most of the newly-installed pétanque courts. The guinguette offers live musical entertainment suitable for the whole family. Escape the confines of the city to watch La Ville Rose glow and glimmer from a spectacular viewpoint.
Address: 85 Chem. des Côtes de Pech David, 31400 Toulouse
Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday, 18:00 – 23:30
Toulouse is a breathtaking city, something that these rooftop bars and guinguettes seem to know! Considering this list, I think we can agree that you haven’t truly seen Toulouse until you’ve seen it from above, and what could be better than taking in the view with a drink in hand!
If you have any questions about the things covered in this blog, please get in touch. And before you go, be sure to check out our Toulouse & Albi Walking Tours and Tasting Experiences.
