Where to Eat Dinner in Toulouse Before 7 pm
Traveling to Toulouse is an opportunity to delight your palate and dine on the finest French cuisine. But something many visitors (especially those from the US) are taken aback by in La Ville Rose is how few restaurants are open before 7 pm! After lunch is served, most restaurants close for the afternoon and only reopen around 7 or 8 pm. Luckily, if you know what to look for, a few eateries remain open in the late afternoon or early evening, meaning you can still eat at your preferred time.
In this blog, we’ll explain why restaurants close at certain times and give tips on where to eat dinner in Toulouse before 7 pm. If your stomach is already rumbling and you can’t wait, check out our Toulouse Walking Tours and Tasting Experiences for delectable food tour options. If you have any questions about our excursions, feel free to contact us!
Why is it so hard to find an early dinner in Toulouse?
The sight of closed-down restaurants in the afternoon and evening may be an unusual sight for new travelers to France. However, this is common practice across the country, including Toulouse. Culturally, the French plan their days around set mealtimes. Most people take at least an hour for lunch between 12 and 2 pm and don’t start dinner until at least 8 pm, leaving a large afternoon gap that might be surprising to Americans and people from other cultures who are used to eating whenever they feel like it.
Restaurants close during this afternoon period to save on costs, as they employ less staff at higher wages. French servers are not reliant on tips and employers pay livable wages, but are also subject to high social charges because of all of the benefits provided by the state (such as health care and pension). This makes it more economical to close down when fewer people are likely to eat out. However, this is not the case for all restaurants!
Where can you eat dinner in Toulouse before 7 pm?
Some restaurants stay open between the typical French lunch and dinner times, meaning you won’t be completely left to starve should you need an early dinner in Toulouse. Our top tip is to look for restaurants that offer “service continu”, meaning continuous service. These restaurants tend to be on main squares or busy boulevards, in order to capitalize on foot traffic and hungry travelers whose schedules may be off of the cultural norm. To save you some time, we’ve put together our favorite picks for where to dine in Toulouse at any hour:
Le Tchin
Located near the iconic Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse, Le Tchin offers a lively, welcoming atmosphere and diverse menu. From 6 am to 5 pm, the restaurant serves a brasserie menu before switching to serving tapas in the evening. We can’t recommend enough their giant salads and delicious burgers! You can wash it all down with a signature cocktail while enjoying their excellent music selection.
Opening hours:
Open 7 days a week from 6 am to 2 am.
Address:
22 Rue Saint-Bernard, 31000 Toulouse
Les Thermes
For high-quality Chinese food, Les Thermes is the place to go. Dine on everything from cha siu boi to wonton soup and noodles. Their dim sum is not to be missed, and neither are their craft cocktails! With unique mixes such as the strawberry-flavored “Monkey Dance” and gin-based “La Brique”, you’ll find yourself happily sipping on these drinks while snacking on small plates that you might not want to share.
Opening hours:
Open 7 days a week: Sunday to Monday 7 am to 1 am, Tuesday to Friday 7 am to 2 am, Saturday 7 am to 3 am.
Address:
44 Bd Lazare Carnot, 31000 Toulouse, France
La Faim des Haricots
La Faim des Haricots stands out among the typical French restaurants as one of the few vegetarian and vegan eateries in Toulouse. But don’t think for one moment their meals aren’t as delicious as charcuterie boards and duck confit. Serving five buffets from salads, to quiches, to desserts, you have the option of choosing to dine from one buffet or a combination. Better yet, their happy hour from 3 to 6 pm lets you get all five buffets for the price of one!
If you’re looking for more vegetarian or vegan restaurants, have a look at our Guide to Toulouse’s Vegetarian Options.
Opening hours:
Open 7 days a week, continuous service from 12 pm to 10 pm.
Address:
2b Rue du Puits Vert, 31000 Toulouse
Pastel et Sarrasin
Pastel et Sarrasin offers some of the best crepes in town, with a wide menu of both sweet and savory options. You can try everything from teriyaki tofu to more classic sweet crepes. There’s even gluten free options available! Their galettes (savory crepes made with buckwheat flour) are equally as varied and delicious while their salads offer a fresh element to your dining experience.
Opening hours:
Open 7 days a week, with continuous service on Saturday from noon to 10:30 pm and Sunday from noon to 9:30 pm.
Address:
75 Rue du Taur, 31000 Toulouse
Grand Café le Florida
Grand Café le Florida has a storied history. First opened in 1874 by a chocolatier, this brasserie has lived to see the invention of electricity and survived two world wars. It played a central role in Toulouse as a meeting point for cab drivers as well as Spanish refugees in the 1940s. Today, its huge terrace on the Place du Capitole and Belle Epoque dining room provide one of the most beautiful dining locations in Toulouse.
For more inspiration on where to eat, Discover Toulouse’s Best Vintage Bars and Restaurants with our blog.
Opening hours:
Open 7 days a week from 7 am to 2 am, with continuous service from noon to 1 am.
Address:
12 Pl. du Capitole, 31000 Toulouse
Experience French Cuisine with Taste of Toulouse
With these restaurants open continuously in Toulouse, you’re more than guaranteed to be satiated, no matter when you choose to eat. If you’re curious to learn more about the food and culture of Toulouse, join one of our delicious walking tours. Whether you want to discover the “belly of Toulouse” on a Victor Hugo Market Tour or satisfy your sweet tooth on a Chocolate & Pastry Tour, we’re here to share the best delicacies our city has to offer. To find out more about our tours, contact us for more information.
Looking for more inspiration for where to eat in Toulouse? Read Where are the Best Places to Eat in Toulouse? next.
