Our Recommendations Where to Eat Lunch in Aix-en-Provence
Readers often ask us for recommendations about where to eat lunch in Aix-en-Provence. The truth is that restaurants change hands frequently, and every establishment can have an off day. However, navigating an unfamiliar destination can be tricky, so we offer a few suggestions.
Below is a list of tried-and-true restaurants where we would eat lunch or another meal in Aix-en-Provence—our lunch recommendations range from luxury gourmet to quick grab-and-go snack options. Feel free to send us any suggestions for expanding this list.
Aix: Ideas for a Day in the City
Long Leisurely Lunches
Dining at these locations is like getting away on a mini vacation. Enjoy a relaxed meal and take in your surroundings as you will feel like you have escaped to paradise in Provence.
Step into the small Florentine Palace, Villa Gallici, a luxury hotel with gastronomic cuisine crafted by Chef Chistophe Gavot. Inspired by the seasons and local Mediterranean products, the menu offers a unique dining experience. In warmer months, the terrace shaded by a large plane tree, overlooking the aqua pool and meticulous garden beds, provides a serene setting. During cold evenings, intimate candlelit spaces offer romantic seclusion, making your dining experience special.
18 Avenue de la Violette,
13100 Aix-en-Provence
Château de la Gaude, a stunning property just a quick drive north of the city, is a sight. This former private mansion, now a bastide, boasts a breathtaking garden and 15 hectares of vineyards under the AOP Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence. There are several restaurants here under the guidance of a Michelin-starred chef. For a captivating lunch experience, we recommend La Brasserie K, especially if you can book a table on the terrace and soak in the beauty of the surroundings.
3959 Route des Pinchinats
13100 Aix-en-Provence
Discover the unexpected at Villa Saint-Ange, a 5-star hotel with an exceptional property within walking distance of the centre of Aix-en-Provence. With 34 luxury guestrooms and a lush, private garden, this hotel is a delightful surprise in the city’s heart. Book a table at ÂMA TERRA and savour the Mediterranean-inspired creations by Chef Pierre Gagnaire and his team, all while enjoying the unique setting.
7, Traverse Saint-Pierre
13100 Aix-en-Provence
Hôtel le Pigonnet was purpose built in 1924 on a one-hectare parcel. Le Pigonnet has been owned and operated by the same family for three generations. Plane trees contour the entranceway at this five-star hotel, a classical leafy canopy. The gardens are a feast for the eyes; a metal trellis covered in red climbing roses shades a walkway, as a small fountain trickles gently on sand-coloured stones – a cooling effect on a hot day. After lunch at this beautiful property, you may want to find a quiet garden corner and enjoy the surroundings.
5 Avenue du Pigonnet
13090 Aix-en-Provence
Artsy Lunches
As you walk through the majestic iron gates into the cour d’honneur at l’Hôtel de Caumont – Centre of Art, let the elegant limestone façade transport you to another era. Glance through the majestic iron gates into the cour d’honneur at l’Hôtel de Caumont and let the elegant limestone façade transport you to another era. This grand entrance, unique even in the chic Quartier Mazarin, is a testament to the historical significance of this place.
Le Café Caumont
3 Rue Joseph Cabassol,
13100 Aix-en-Provence
Open daily.
They do not take reservations.
Telephone: +33 (0)4 42 20 70 01
The Hôtel de Gallifet is in the heart of the Mazarin quarter, just a few steps from the picturesque Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins. Dating from the 19th century, Hôtel de Gallifet was previously a private mansion. Today, it is a contemporary art centre with six (6) exhibition rooms.
52 Rue de Cardinale
13100 Aix-en-Provence
The restaurant is open Tuesdays through Sundays from June 1 to October 1. Weather permitting, dining is in the garden courtyard during the summer months. Reservations are highly recommended.
Bistro Lunches
La Petite Ferme, located next to the Place de la Rotonde, offers a cozy dining experience where you can savour the chef’s classic dishes. The unique ambiance and the chef’s culinary expertise make it a must-visit for any food enthusiast.
7 Avenue Victor Hugo
13100 Aix-en-Provence
Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Chez Charlotte offers traditional Provencal cuisine near the Cours Sextius. It typically offers a vegetarian option and can cater to gluten-free needs. The menu is short, designed around fresh produce, and has a good wine list. Weather permitting, eating at an outdoor table on their patio is lovely.
32 rue Bernardines
13100 Aix-en-Provence
Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
L’Incontournable is open every day except Sunday from 12-2 pm and 7:30-10 pm. The restaurant has a beautiful setting, serving delicious food and wine. They accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free options.
14 Rue Montigny,
13100 Aix-en-Provence
Telephone: +33 (0)9 80 32 86 32
Light Lunches and Snacks
There is a lot to do and see in historic, dynamic Aix-en-Provence. If your time is limited, perhaps you only want a quick bite or a snack. Here are a few of our recommendations.
Since 1954, La Maison Weibel has been an institution in Aix-en-Provence for a light lunch or snack. This gourmet pastry shop and tearoom is worth a stop. You won’t be disappointed if you buy something to take away or enjoy on-site.
2 rue Chabrier
13100 Aix-en-Provence
Tel: +33 (0) 4 42 23 33 21
Open daily.
There is indoor and outdoor seating.
Kava-Aix is where brunch meets bistronomy (a contraction of ‘bistro’ and ‘gastronomy’). It offers a creative menu and great coffee.
11 rue Boulegon
13100 – Aix en Provence
Telephone +33 (0)4 12 20 56 50
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
A Word on Calisson d’Aix
Candy might not be why you visit Aix-en-Provence, but don’t leave town without sampling the famous Calisson d’Aix. These sweets, made with ground, local almonds (sweet and bitter) and a fruit paste blend of melon confit (preserved in sugar) and orange peel, were officially recognized as part of the city’s heritage in 1990. Traditional calisson has three layers: thin host paper on the bottom, the fruit-almond mixture and a light coating of royal icing on top. Typically, a soft-diamond-shaped calisson tastes similar to marzipan, although not as sweet.
A Sweet Finish in Aix – Gourmet Treats
©Roy René
Planning a Visit
Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office (website)
300 avenue Giuseppe Verdi – BP 40160
13605 Aix-en-Provence cedex 1
Information +33 (0)4 42 161 161
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