Stéphane Tournié - Les Jardins de l'Opéra

In a bright, stylish dining room (parquet floor, wooden tables, wine cellar), flanked by a leafy interior courtyard covered by a glazed roof, this quiet, peaceful setting comes as a surprise in the midst of Toulouse’s Capitole. The venue is the HQ of virtuoso Stéphane Tournié, with stints at Lucien Vanel in Toulouse, André Daguin in Auch, Taillevent under Philippe Legendre and the Crillon under Christian Constant. We love his knack of getting straight to the point, illustrated by wild pollock and spicy stock of langoustine or duck smoked in grass and herbs from the sweet-scented scrubland. The dishes are often finished tableside by the slick kitchen team, adding a touch of excitement to the meal.