Where to eat in Montpellier

There are a lot of restaurants in Montpellier and I haven’t been to all of them, but here’s some of my favourites. This list will be added to, if only as a good excuse to eat my way around the …

Eat: Child-friendly cafés in town

Kids are welcome in cafés and restaurants in France any time of the day, even late in the evening. But if they want to hang out with the grown-ups they’re expected to fit in, which means no highchairs, plastic cups or changing tables. I love the whole mucking in with the family spirit of this, but it can leave me looking like a startled rabbit. Watching a toddler balance a wine glass of juice between tiny fingers is like waiting for a plate spinner to drop one of their plates. The upside is that I’ve become adept at changing nappies on the floor of ‘cosy’ loos, but I’m not sure this is a skill I can put on my cv.

Luckily there’s a few cafés around town that cater for little ones who’d like to play and parents who’d love a stress-free coffee.

Chez Ninou; le café des bébés

They describe themselves as ‘Every parent’s dream’ and with comfortable seating, delicious and healthy food and a play area for kids they’re not far wrong. This café in Montpellier’s Saint Roch area is designed for children aged up to 3 years old and is a place where they can play and make noise in a safe environment while parents relax. The café also offers workshops, storytelling and singing. There’s even some activities for the grown ups, including a dating evening for single parents.
http://www.lecafedesbebes.fr; Rue des Souers Noires

Beubeul Lounge

This café familial at the edge of the Saint Anne district is situated on the ground floor of a lovely old apartment building. Ring the bell and you’ll be welcomed in to a large area full of toys, books, mats, music and slides. It used to be a private creche, so there’s everything here for kids. Tables are dotted around the space for parents and kids to enjoy a drink, snack or meal. The first hour is free for you to order some food or drinks, and after that you can stay for €2 per hour.
There’s also a shop here selling second-hand clothes, toys and equipment, as well as an area for art workshops.
http://www.beubeul-lounge.com; 6 rue Eugène Lisbonne

Drink: Montpellier’s loveliest squares

There are abundant squares to sit in around Montpellier, and why not when the weather’s so sunny? Even in the middle of winter, you’ll often find there’s enough sunshine to make it pleasant to enjoy a coffee at a terrace …