Montempô Apparthôtel Toulouse Balma

In the trendy, hipster district of Saint Aubin, this tiny bistro, taken over by Arnaud Darbas and Virginie Béziaud, conjures up crisp fresh dishes oozing with distinctive flavours. The technique and creativity of the youthful chef, who trained with the best, are impressive: green asparagus and a light frothy sabayon with smoked olive oil; line-caught hake from Saint Jean de Luz, yuzu-laced shellfish and roasted white asparagus; Ibaïama pork, varied textures of seasonal veggies, garlic emulsion and a punchy gravy. In a simply appointed yet inviting interior, Virginie seamlessly manages the fron

Run by an enthusiastic couple who believe in hearty, wholesome food, this restaurant fully deserves its resounding success. The chef skilfully works with fine market produce, illustrated by a perfectly cooked egg with a runny yolk, onions confit in white wine and shredded pork in wild garlic… Outstanding value for money and hits all the right buttons.

Conventional French wisdom has it that you shouldn't judge a tree by its bark (écorce), but we would beg to differ! In an intimate setting accommodating around 20 covers facing the kitchen, the chef demonstrates a sure touch. The dishes, always accessible and balanced, feature carefully sourced ingredients and precise sauces – a contemporary tart of vegetables and seaweed; John Dory with mushrooms, passion fruit and olive sauce; Aveyron veal cooked two ways. The wine list homes in on a handful of well-chosen labels, with some excellent pairings available by the glass.

In a bright, stylish dining interior (hardwood floors, pale wood tables, wine cellar) and a flower-decked interior courtyard covered by a glass-paned roof, this enchanting, quiet and peaceful setting comes as a surprise in the very heart of the Place du Capitole. At this prestigious address, Stéphane Tournié, a former student of Lucien Vanel, André Daguin, Philippe Legendre (Taillevent) and Christian Constant (Le Crillon), lets his talent shine. This dedicated artisan focuses on the essential, with dishes such as scallops, cream of rice with nori, or duck foie gras ravioli and black truffle. T

As Michel Sarran puts it, "this is more of a house than a restaurant", where guests are invited to take the time to eat and enjoy the moment in one of two dining rooms – a modern space on the ground floor and a more hushed and elegant ambiance on the first floor. Originally from the Gers département, the chef divided his time between the South-West and the Mediterranean before settling in Toulouse, where he came to be one of the city's culinary ambassadors. With his single set menus that celebrate the region's finest produce, he creates a sun-kissed take on the cuisine of the South of France,

Yannick Delpech, previously chef of L'Amphitryon, returns to the stage for a second act with this atypical and charming restaurant. In a former sawmill, he combines fine dining with the bohemian spirit of a table d'hôtes. Soaking up an atmosphere created by music and a video projection, some 15 diners per seating are served a surprise set menu. Readable and indulgent, this authentic cuisine enhanced with robust-flavoured sauces and jus (the chef's trademark) never fails to make an impression: octopus cooked in red wine daube-style and married with lamb shoulder confit; red mullet with bottarga

In the picturesque and lively neighbourhood of Saint-Aubin, this tiny bistro is always busy! Chef Nicolas Brousse and his wife take great pleasure in serving up tasty, carefully prepared dishes. And in keeping with this spirit of conviviality, why not share a fine steak (butcher's choice – for two people)? This goes down very well with a natural wine from the extensive selection. The set menu changes every week.