Restaurants: Aix en Provence & Environs (cont'd)
Le Passage in a smartly renovated 19th century workshop, ultra modern style. There is a 140 seat plus restaurant, a patisserie, a cigar and wine tasting bar and a cooking school. If you enter from Rue Mazarin, don't be fooled by the sign "Patisserie". A trendy place which could be in London, San Francisco or Sydney. But the food is authentic French, creative and innovative, just wonderful. Efficient and friendly service. Around the corner from Cine Mazarin Renoir, which shows films in French and English. Prices: € 30-60. 10 Rue Villars or 6 Rue Mazarin, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: +33 (0)4 42 37 09 00.
Le Poivre d'Ane Place Cadeur has many restaurants, most of them catering exclusively to out-of-towners. Le Poivre d'Ane (the French name for summer savory) is one of the few exceptions. Aixois love this small restaurant with outdoor seating during the warmer season. Provençal cuisine with some creative twists. Never mind the 70s decor, you'll need to book well beforehand. Prices: €30-60. 40 Place des Cardeurs, 13100 Aix en Provence Tel: +33 (0)4 42 21 32 66
La Rotonde a great place, hip and attracting a young crowd, of course only "les jeunes avec l'argent". A nice terrace, a great bar and overall very comfortable environment. They serve Provençal dishes with a touch of fusion cuisine. Definitely a place to eat very well, to see and be seen. Prices: € 25-45. Place Jeanne d'Arc, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: +33 (0)4 42 91 61 70.
La Sicilia Nostra, a quick gastronomic trip to Sicily after all the Provençal food. Appreciated by the Aixoiss for its excellent price/quality and genuine Sicilian food. Prices: €20-35. 14-16 Rue Constantin, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: +33 (0)4 42 96 41 03.
Le Verdun a friendly restaurant with an idyllic terrace under plane trees. You can get good Provençal dishes for a decent price. Low key, friendly service, they concentrate on the quality of the food here. Better make a reservation, many Aixoiss love this place. Prices: €25. 20 Place de Verdun, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: +33 (0)4 42 27 03 24.
Ethnic Treasures:
Living in the Provence you yearn for some food other then French sooner or later. North African, Middle-Eastern, African, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Japanese, anything. Understandably most foreign visitors want to experience French food. But for us living here a change once in a while is welcome. So here are our favorite "non-French" restaurants in Aix en Provence. The choice ranges from top-notch Japanese restaurants, like Yamato, to the more modest Au Petit Tahiti.
Anh Dao Open air dining on tiny Place Ramus, a well regarded Vietnamese, "easy on the wallet" with friendly service. Prices: €10-25. 6 Place Ramus, Aix en Provence, Tel: 04 42 27 73 60.
Antioche, the Turkish-Lebanese owners offer a very limited menu, but dishes are well prepared and the service is easy going and friendly. The lunch menu at €13 is unbeatable. They have two locations now, the tiny old restaurant with outside tables near Rue de la Verrerie and the newer Divan d' Antioche on 8, Forum des Cardeurs (we have not reviewed this one, old habits die hard, we go to the old location). Prices: €13-25. 18 Rue Felibre Gaut, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: +33 (0)4 42 38 11 88.
Cay Tam The signature barbecue dishes are a must at this authentic Korean, right in the old town of Aix. Very popular with local expats lured in by cleanly prepared dishes that are "good for your taste buds and your soul". Prices: €25. 29 Rue Verrerie, 13100 Aix en Provence. Tel: +33 (0)4 42 27 28 11
Le Jasmin de Persépolis, a gem from ancient Persia. This small restaurant with a charming shaded terrace is popular with the Aixoiss. Persian cuisine is one of the most refined in the world and Le Jasmin proves it. Prices: €20-30. 6 Rue de la Fonderie, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: +33 (0)4 42 38 05 89 (Eastern edge of old Aix, just before you reach Boulevard Carnot).
Le Riad, elegant Moroccan restaurant in a historic townhouse with a charming inner courtyard on Rue Lieutaud North of Place des Tanneurs. Moroccan food at its best, our favorite in town. Delicious desserts. Very friendly easy going service. Prices: €14-35. 21 Rue Lieutaud, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: +33 (0)4 42 26 15 70.
Au Petit Tahiti, this tiny restaurant is a great place for lunch. They offer simple but savory Tahitienne cuisine, which has French and Asian influence. We recommend the vegetarian dishes. Madame Hélène from Papeete is not shy to teach you some Tahitienne dance steps, she's a number! Prices: €15-30. 9 Rue Isolette, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: +33 (0)4 42 26 38 32 (two blocks South of Place des Tanneurs).
Le Saf, ever tried African food before? Here is a good introduction with this well regarded Senegalese restaurant on Rue de la Couronne, South of Place des Tanneurs. You will like the exotic tastes and flavors. Prices: €15-20. 16 Rue de la Couronne, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: +33 (0)4 42 26 94 25.
Table du Mandarin Flavorful and well-prepared, reliable Chinese dishes. We regularly stop in for a "quick no-frills lunch" or for dinner. Our "Sino" when we are in Aix and yearn for some good old chow. Friendly service. Prices: €15-25. 9 Rue des Tanneurs, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel: +33 (0)4 42 27 91 41.
