The best place to eat in Carcassone is La Barbacane. The Michelin-star restaurant is within the Hotel de la Cite.
Dining at La Barbacane is what you dream of when picturing eating in an ancient medieval city. The dining room looks out of Game of Thrones, with Gothic architecture, stained glass windows, cathedral chairs and tapestries.
This posh restaurant has earned a reputation for its warm dining room and top-notch gastronomy. If the weather is warm, you can also dine on the terrace, which offers a breathtaking view of Carcassone.
The menu focuses on cuisine rich in flavours. Chef Jerome Ryon expertly features fresh and local ingredients. He also knows his elegant dishes that reinvent classic French cuisine.
Diner at the one Michelin star restaurant isn’t cheap, but well worth it for a special night out. For example, the six-course tasting menu will cost 120€ plus an additional 45€ per person if you want the wine pairing.
If you prefer not to do the tasting menu, appetizers start at 40€, entrees at 47€, and desserts at 17€ at dinner.
A more affordable option is to visit for lunch, as you can enjoy a starter, main, dessert, two glasses of wine and a mug of coffee for just 41€!
For my visit, I went for dinner. For the amuse-bouche, we had a variety of small tomato and seafood canapes and potato soup.
For the first course, there was duck foie gras served on some smoked tout. There was also a jelly sangria, preserved rhubarb, and it accompanied with brioche buns.
Next, there was an incredible grilled turbot. It came with a flavour-packed sauce, small flowers and mushrooms.
Finally, for dessert, there were local figs, a Violetta cream, and a black currant sorbet so delicious I could have licked the bowl.
As this restaurant is extremely popular with tourists and locals, it is a good idea to make reservations as far in advance as possible. Reservations can be made online, and when booking, you can make a note you’ll need an English menu.