Pau - Eating
- Nearby guides:
- Biarritz
- Bordeaux
- Zaragoza
- Bergerac
- Toulouse
- Vitoria
- Bilbao
- Carcassonne
- La Rochelle
- Limoges
- Other guides in France:
- Carcassonne
- Courchevel
- Grenoble
- Grenoble Ski Region
- Marseille
- Nîmes
- Perpignan
- Poitiers
- Provence
- Reims
- More
Pau, and the Béarn region, is famed for its cuisine. As with other parts of south-west France, duck dominates. Specialties include foie gras, tender slices of duck breast (magret de canard), cured ham (jambon de Bayonne) and creamy mountain brebis cheeses. The Palois like a good stew too, often a garbure béarnaise containing, you’ve guessed it, various cuts of duck, potatoes and white beans. Poule au pot, a whole chicken cooked in a pot with onions, potatoes and wine is also popular - all washed down with a dry Jurançon.
Lou Capetout
Quirky place that gives diners a drinks’ choice between ’medication’ (alcohol) and ’remedies’ (wines) The menu rotates regularly, focusing on local specialities.
La Goulue
Sweet little restaurant just a few metres from the château. The décor is turn of the century Parisien and the food is high quality and excellent value for money.
Chez Olive
Pretty wooden building in the old part of town serving traditional food with a modern twist. The poule au pot is the signature dish and recommended.
L’aragon
This restaurant has great views from its outside tables of the mountains. Dishes include grilled salmon in Béarnaise sauce and veal.
Le Saint Jacques
Another great restaurant in the old part of town. The menu focuses on fish and local specialities.
Le Jeu De Paume
Haute cuisine at its finest in this restaurant nestled in the resplendent grounds of Parc Beamount. Inventive modern meets traditional gastronomy from chef Christophe Canati. Starters include smoked salmon and Aquitaine caviar.
Le Mas Des Arômes
Creative and inventive cuisine. The interior of this restaurant is sleek and modern with beautiful wooden tables.
Le Black Bear
Another Pau restaurant with great mountain views. The restaurant is renowned for its unusual menu - specialties include kangaroo fillet and hake cooked ’Spanish style’.
L’arganier
Beautifully decorated Moroccan restaurant that specialises in couscous and tajines. The restaurant also makes its own traditional patisserie. Take away service available.
