Visiting Toulon in the South of France and want to know which are the best, must visit restaurants? Look no further. My insider guide has the best restaurants in the city for you to discover.
I’ve been visiting Toulon for the past 8 years and I know the city very well. It’s, admittedly, not the most glamorous town on the French Riviera (actually, it’s not technically on the Côte d’Azur at all) but it’s an authentic town and a great place to avoid the tourists!
Best Restaurants in Toulon France
I frequently stay in the nearby Valette-du-Var and I’m always taking a trip into Toulon. It’s not the most foodie city in the south of France but there are some very good and very reasonable restaurants. The restaurants here are in no particular order.
Le Lido
Le Lido is a great little seaside restaurant located on Le Mourillon beach. It’s changed recently bringing both the interior (and exterior) and menu up to a more modern, refined standard.
Despite the fact that you no longer have your feet in the sand, the view over to La Tour Royale and the bay of Toulon is stunning.
This, most recent, iteration of Le Lido has to be the best. The interior is modern and does away with the old traditional beach shack feel. The food is classic yet brought up to date with modern techniques and presentation.
John Dory (a must eat fish when you’re in the French Riviera) is perfectly cooked and comes with fennel and a beautiful ‘bouillabaisse’ style sauce and modern, confit and fried potatoes.
Their lobster linguine is reasonable and done exactly how it should be. The sauce is made with the shells (a bisque) and emulsified with pasta water – delicious.
What to know before visiting
- You can reserve online
- They’re open all year round
- You can park for free in the Parking des Plages du Mourillon
Address: Corniche Frédéric Mistral, Plage du Mourillon, 83000 Toulon
Tel: 04 94 03 38 18
Website: https://lelidodetoulon.fr
Beam! Kitchen
If you’re looking for a gastronomic experience in Toulon then Beam! Kitchen is the one. Run by Chef Arnaud Tabarec (ex. Five Seas Hotel in Cannes), he brings his fine dining experience to a city sorely missing a modern, refined restaurant.
It’s fixed price menus only at Beam with 3 courses at lunch coming in at a very reasonable €35 and in the evening, €49 for 5 courses.
Ingredients are super local and of course, very seasonal. In my experience the food that comes out of the kitchen changes weekly but it’s always good.
For lunch you get a starter, main and dessert and although simpler, they’re still very technical with some great cuisson on show. Dinner is more of a ‘carte blanche’ – expect plenty of great vegetable, fruit and fish combinations. My favourite dish was during my last visit during asparagus season – a thick, perfectly cooked fillet of seabass came with locally grown asparagus – awesome.
What to know before visiting
- You can reserve online
- They offer vegetarian and gluten free menus
Address: 2 Rue Hippolyte Duprat, 83000 Toulon
Tel: 06 27 54 27 06
Website: https://www.instagram.com/beamkitchen/
Le Pastel
Le Pastel is a gem of a restaurant in Toulon. Located a stones throw from the port, it’s a refined, classical French restaurant pumping out some really excellent dishes.
The tiny restaurant is run by Bruno (in the kitchen) and Pascale (running FOH). Chef Bruno worked for many years under Pierre Koffman in London came back to the South of France to start his own venture.
His Michelin cooking shows on the plate. It’s honest, local, Provençale cuisine with the signature fine dining touch. Love truffle? Come early autumn and you’ll find beautifully cooked turbot with a silky sauce finished off with black truffle.
In terms of menus, they offer extremely seasonal and every changing combinations. Generally you can expect to go mid week for lunch and get 2 very well cooked courses for €26 and 3 courses in the evening for €40.
What to know before visiting
- You need to call to reserve (they speak English)
- They’re closed Tuesday-Thursday
Address: 20 rue Victor Micholet, Sq. Léon Vérane, 83000 Toulon
Tel: 04 94 64 73 95
Website: https://restaurant-lepastel.eatbu.com
Racines
Racines is another small bistro serving up some fantastic seasonal food. Located right next to the Toulon Opera house, it’s a great spot for lunch or dinner if you’re exploring the centre of the city.
Run by Chef Bertrand Lherbette, he focuses primarily on the French concept of ‘terroir’. This means all his produce comes from passionate suppliers who grow their fruit and vegetables in only the best conditions, on the best land.
It’s not only the fruit and vegetables that shine through on the plate. Cheese, meat and fish come from his trusted producers and it’s easy to see the quality. Whilst the quality is exceptional, Bertrand also focuses on sustainability meaning produce is local and of course seasonal.
Expect to pay around €40 per person for entree, main and dessert. During my last visit I had an excellent roasted medallion of monkfish with fresh artichokes.
What to know before visiting
- You need to call to reserve
- They’re closed on weekends
Address: 9 Rue Corneille, 83000 Toulon
Tel: 04 22 80 27 39
Website: https://www.racines-restaurant-toulon.com
