Restaurants and food in Aix-en-Provence

For tourists looking for a place to eat in Aix-en-ProvenceA wide variety of restaurants, bistros, cafes, and other eateries hidden in the narrow streets and alleys of the Old Town, to designer kitchens overlooking charming squares and boulevards, are sure to await.

The variety of cuisine on offer, including traditional Provençal dishes, includes ethnic and modern international menus. It is also worth visiting the cafes on the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence, or in the surrounding villages, to discover the delights of local classic cuisine.

Cafes in Aix-en-Provence are open from early morning and serve coffee, cakes and light snacks throughout the day. There are also many bakeries open during the day for those who want to buy ingredients for a picnic.

Restaurants in Provence usually serve lunch from noon to 2:00 pm. However, most restaurants are busier in the evening, after 7:30 pm. So if you want to eat after 9 p.m., it is best not to arrive too late and it is advisable to check in advance if the restaurant will be open that day and, if possible, make a reservation in advance. Also, if you are going to visit the restaurant on holidays, it would be better to make a reservation in advance.

What to eat

Not surprisingly, olives play an important role in the local menu, as more than 300,000 olive trees grow in Aix-en-Provence today. Olives appear on the table before dinner, as an appetizer, as oil in salads, and in dishes such as "tapenade" (olive puree) and "La Pompe l'Huil" (a cake made with olive oil and yeast). Provençal dishes also usually include many fresh herbs, such as oregano, cumin, and basil, as well as fresh Mediterranean vegetables, including eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers.

Perhaps the most famous sweet delicacy served in restaurants in Aix-en-Provence is the calisson, made of sweet almonds and preserved fruit. This pastry masterpiece has been around for hundreds of years, and today about 20 producers maintain this tradition in Provence.

Restaurants and food in Aix-en-Provence Where to eat

Going to the Old Town, around the Cours Mirabeau and the Rue de la Couronet, you cannot find a menu that would not whet your appetite. There are many restaurants that offer a gastronomic menu. Although some dishes are not very cheap, they are worth trying if you want to taste traditional local dishes or try some creative variations on this theme.

If you are planning a special dinner, visit the exclusive catering establishments which offer exquisite dishes in a wide range. An acknowledged master among renowned chefs is le Clos de la Violette, whose dishes you can taste directly in the vicinity of Aix-en-Provence city center.

For those who want to dine out on a tight budget, Aix-en-Provanes also has many bistros, eateries, cafes and cheap restaurants that offer good value for money. They are the perfect place to enjoy the local atmosphere over a cup of coffee and a cookie or a simple meal. Café Deux Garçons, on the Cours Mirabeau, is probably the most famous of Provence's signature cafes. It was also once the refuge of the painter Cézanne.

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