This restaurant has become a must in the Narbonne gourmet scene. Located in the Place Lamourguier, “Les Cuisiniers Cavistes” headed by the lovely Marc Schwall, have imposed their vision of “good eating”. Former chef at les Giraud, then head chef at l’Hospitalet, Marc Schwall’s success and that of his team, is both gastronomic and commercial and the restaurant has continued to develop. This is thanks to wanting to offer both an à la carte and take away service, using exclusively local products selected rigorously by a panel of tasters. They are also supported by a solid network of professionals: farmers and wine-growers (fifty-two wine-makers presenting as many great wines) for whom quality and authenticity are vital. The public quickly caught on to the idea, which has continued to develop around the Place Lamourguier and now includes a shop (“côté boutique”), restaurant (“côté table”) and bakery (“côté four”). There is even a “table d’hôte” which since 2008 offers cookery lessons (le club des Senscanailles).
Restauration
Fine dining based on Mediterranean flavours, in a 1930’s style bistrot setting. Very extensive regional wine list.
Menus 27€ to 47€.
Hidden inside a former twelfth-century oratory, is the Michelin-starred Table Saint-Crescent. Lionel Giraud, who did his apprenticeship at the Crillon and the Ritz offers an inventive and refined style of cooking, based on fresh farm produce. The young chef adapts his dishes according to the season. This guarantees that the ingredients are always top quality and he can offer gastronomic menus from 25€. Lionel’s partner, Marie, introduces gourmets to the pleasures of the local wines, including those of La Clape, to which she is particularly partial. While the menu changes every three months, certain signature dishes remain: the cube of foie gras from the Landes, celeriac purée with truffle, chicken stuffed with foie gras, quintessence of parmesan. For dessert, let yourself be tempted by a vacherin of wild strawberries with basil ice cream. A delight for your taste buds.
Menu 25€ to 80€.
A must-see is the covered market “les Halles”, which remains very popular with the locals. Good food guaranteed.
In this Baltard-style pavilion you will find seventy stallholders and producers. It is also the largest source of fresh produce in the town. You will find all the local specialties: tripe “à la mode narbonnaise”, authentic cassoulet from Castelnaudary, free-range Lauragais chickens, “pélardons” goats’ cheese from the Corbières, Lucques olives from Bize, oil from Portel and Sigean, honey from Montredon, Anita’s jams from la Palme, ancestral “galettes narbonnaises”. And of course, from the five fishmongers you can get oysters from Leucate and just as juicy, those from Gruissan, as well as local wines, like those from La Clape.
In the exceptional environment of the salt beds of the Ile Saint Martin, which stretch over 400 hectares on the edge of the village of Gruissan, this restaurant offers you a taste of the famous island oysters, which are brought in each day by the local fishermen. Let yourself be tempted also by the fish and meat baked in sea salt, the cassoulet of squid and pan-fried seafood. Don’t forget to try the tasty ewes-milk ice cream with sea salt too! On the wine front, those of La Clape pair beautifully with this Mediterranean-style cooking.
Average meal price: from 30€
When you go through the door of this ancient building, which was once the presbytery of Gruissan, you enter a warm and friendly atmosphere. La Cranquette is a place of shared pleasure, offering local, seasonal ingredients. Specializing in wild fish and seafood, chef Julien Privat is self-taught. Passionate about cooking, he opened La Cranquette at the age of twenty-four. He marries together surprising flavours, in a cooking style which is both modern and bold in taste. Just perusing the menu on the wall is a real pleasure! The menu changes weekly and the wine list is one of the most varied and interesting in La Clape.
Menu from 28€.
A semi-gastronomic restaurant with a very stylish deco. The fish-based menu is constantly changing, though some specialties are available every season: oysters roasted with duck breast, grilled daurade with olive tapenade, and double chocolate truffle for dessert.
Menu 25€ to 42€.
Recently opened, Olivier Calix serves dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. It is an opportunity to taste a lovely selection of his wines, served with local produce, all in a relaxed and friendly environment chez the wine-maker!
Tasting menu (where you can taste all the estate’s wines) for 35€.
Capacity 30-40 people.
