Where to Eat Cassoulet in Toulouse

In a city renowned for its exceptional gastronomy, it’s all but impossible for a single dish to stand head and shoulders above the rest. But if ever there was a contender for the most beloved meal in Toulouse and the surrounding region, it’s cassoulet. This treasured 700-year-old stew is a symbol of local tradition and comfort — and most importantly, it’s delicious.

At Taste of Toulouse, we love sharing the best of our city’s food culture with visitors from around the world. This passion is the foundation of our delicious English-speaking Toulouse Walking Tours, your gateway to experiencing and tasting our city like a local.

In this guide, we’re diving into the world of cassoulet, guiding you to the finest establishments in Toulouse where you can savor this celebrated dish. Scroll down to find out more — and if you have any questions for us, please just get in touch for the answers you need.

What is Cassoulet?

Before we share our recommendations, let us introduce cassoulet to those who are unfamiliar with its joys. This iconic dish is more than just a meal; it’s a hearty embrace of flavors and history. Originating from southwest France, it’s a slow-cooked casserole traditionally made with white beans, duck confit or goose confit, pork sausage, and more. 

The name derives from the earthenware pot, the cassole, in which it is cooked to velvety perfection. The ingredients meld together over hours of cooking, creating a rich, comforting experience that reflects the soul of southwestern French cuisine.

Three major towns claim cassoulet as their own — Toulouse, Castelnaudary, and Carcassonne. Naturally, then, cassoulet recipes vary depending on their origin. Generally speaking, the three variations differ as follows:

• Castelnaudary: Contains pork (loin, sausages, leg, ham, and fresh rind) and sometimes preserved goose.
• Toulouse: Includes the same meats as the Castelnaudary recipe, but in smaller quantities, plus the addition of Toulouse sausage and mutton. It can also include duck, goose, or partridge. 
• Carcassonne: Uses leg of mutton and, when in season, partridge.

Every cassoulet enthusiast will tell you that true cassoulet is a labor of love, requiring time, patience, and high-quality ingredients. The result is a dish that warms the heart and brings people together. If you ask a local where they go for their favorite cassoulet, you’ll likely get a wry smile; the answer, of course, is the one made at home to a family recipe. 

Fortunately, visitors to Toulouse have access to numerous outstanding restaurants serving up authentic cassoulet. Let us guide you through our top recommendations.

Where to Find the Best Cassoulet in Toulouse?

Restaurant Émile

13 Pl. Saint-Georges, 31000 Toulouse

Situated on the vibrant Place Saint George, Restaurant Émile is a celebrated destination for cassoulet aficionados. This establishment has been serving up traditional French fare since 1947 and has earned a stellar reputation for its culinary excellence. 

The cassoulet at Émile is a must-try. The buttery Tarbais beans are cooked to perfection, while the traditional tender pork sausage is accompanied by lamb for added depth and richness. The elegant yet cozy ambiance provides the perfect setting to enjoy this classic dish.

For the ultimate endorsement, Émile and its cassoulet are recommended by the Michelin Guide.

Le Genty Magre

3 Rue Genty-Magre, 31000 Toulouse

Le Genty Magre, located in the bustling heart of Toulouse, is known for its dedication to regional cuisine and modern flair. Chef Romain Brard champions the slow-cooked process; so much so that his cassoulet has a two-day preparation process.

Using only the finest local ingredients, the cassoulet at Le Genty Magre is cooked to perfection, delivering a depth of flavor that will leave you wanting more. This cassoulet includes three main meat components: a leg of duck confit, a piece of véritable saucisse de Toulouse, and a saucisse de couenne. 

The restaurant’s chic atmosphere, combined with its exceptional service, makes it a top choice for cassoulet lovers seeking a refined dining experience. And if you still need more convincing, La Genty Magre won the Best Cassoulet in the World award at the 2023 Toulouse Cassoulet Championship (we attended the finals and can confirm that it was also our favorite cassoulet of all the entries).

La Genty Magre also features in our wider-ranging picks for the best places to eat in Toulouse. Be sure to check them out when you have finished here to plan even more mouthwatering meals.

Le Colombier

14 Rue de Bayard, 31000 Toulouse

For those seeking an authentic cassoulet experience steeped in tradition, Le Colombier is the place to go. Every town in our region has a cassoulet recipe that differs slightly from those of their neighbors. At Le Colombier, they claim to serve the authentic cassoulet de Castelnaudary (the town where this recipe originated) rather than the cassoulet de Toulouse. 

But what does this mean? Well, the primary difference here is the use of goose confit over duck. The rest of the dish consists of a slow-cooked, perfectly balanced blend of Toulouse sausage, skin sausage, pork knuckle, and white beans.

And the praise is high. Renowned critics like Le Petit Futé and Gault & Millau have showered praise on Le Colombier’s commitment to this traditional style of cassoulet. This drive for exceptional quality is also evident in the restaurant’s partnership with Maison Garcia, but more on them below.

This family-run restaurant has been serving cassoulet since 1873, earning a reputation as one of Toulouse’s cassoulet institutions. The charming and rustic decor, along with the warm hospitality, makes dining at Le Colombier a delightful journey into the heart of Toulouse’s culinary heritage.

Les Copains d’Abord

38 Rue du Pont Guilheméry, 31000 Toulouse

Les Copains d’Abord offers a cozy and convivial atmosphere where you can enjoy some of the best cassoulet in Toulouse. But whereas Le Colombier’s creation contains goose confit, Les Copains d’Abord prepares cassoulet in the purest Toulousian tradition. In short, this means they use duck confit.

This charming bistro prides itself on using traditional methods and high-quality local produce to create a cassoulet that is both authentic and delicious. The generous portions and rich flavors make it a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re dining with friends or family, Les Copains d’Abord provides a welcoming environment to savor this iconic dish.

Are you looking to expand your food odyssey to new horizons while you’re here? We think you’ll love our picks for 10 Strange Foods to Try When in France (and where to find them in Toulouse).

Maison Garcia

Marché, loge 166, Pl. Victor Hugo, 31000 Toulouse

Maison Garcia is a unique entry on this list as it is a charcuterie shop, not a restaurant. Located in our city’s vast, covered Victor Hugo Market, Maison Garcia is a long-standing beacon of culinary excellence. It was established in the 1960s by a family fleeing the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. Today, it’s a third-generation institution still serving the community while honoring its heritage.

Because it’s not a restaurant, Maison Garcia serves its delectable cassoulet to go – nestled in an earthenware cassole and ready to be heated up in your oven. But this didn’t stop it from receiving the Public Choice Award at the 2024 Toulouse World Cassoulet Championship. In a region and country that takes food and dining seriously, this is quite a statement!

Maison Garcia has a second location in the Carmes Market, but the Victor Hugo site is the original and most celebrated. Join our own Victor Hugo Market Tour to explore “the belly of Toulouse” with us! 

Join Our Toulouse Food Tours and Explore Like a Local

So, now you know where to eat cassoulet in Toulouse, it’s time to start planning the rest of your experience in our city. That’s where our mouth-watering Toulouse Walking Tours come in! Our tasting experiences dive into the very best of Toulouse’s vibrant culinary scene, giving you an insider’s perspective on where to eat, what to try, and how to enjoy the best of local cuisine. 

And as English-speaking tours, we remove the potential language barrier for travelers who don’t speak French. We don’t want anyone to miss out on the incredible experience of Toulouse’s gastronomy!

Browse our range of tours and find the best fit for your needs. If you have any pre-booking questions for us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.