Top 10 culinary specialities in Montpellier

Montpellier may be a ‘gifted city’ to the French, but the diversity of its gastronomy deserves to be better known. Paradoxically, the culinary skills of Montpellier’s artisans and restaurateurs have been honed over several hundred years. Always with the greatest respect for local and seasonal produce.

Today, Montpellier is one of the finest exponents of French gastronomy, with a wealth of exceptional recipes.

The specialities of the Languedoc region are just as remarkable and varied: mussels, snails, meats, stews, cheeses, fish soup, seafood and century-old sweets… You won’t believe your taste buds! Eating in Montpellier is like returning to the countryside, to rediscover the flavours and preparation methods of yesteryear. True treasures of the highest quality.

Surprisingly, Montpellier’s culinary tradition has not made it impervious to influences. You’re sure to recognise the rustic character of the Languedoc region combined with Mediterranean influences, whether you smell it or taste it.

Finely crafted sweets are also the pride of the town’s confectioners. And the dishes, whether warm or refined, will delight every palate, if you’re curious to discover them!

What to eat in Montpellier Our selection of the best specialities

Have you heard of Grisettes de Montpellier? These little homemade sweets made with honey and liquorice are among the oldest sweets in France! It was in the Middle Ages, in 1150 to be precise, that the first black balls saw the light of day, at the Faculty of Medicine in Montpellier. Grisettes are the emblems of Montpellier gastronomy. So much so, in fact, that many people think of it as a confectionery. Don’t forget to pack a small box in your luggage – you won’t find a more authentic souvenir.

1 – Les Cagarolettes

A Montpellier speciality and grandmother’s recipe from Montpellier that is still not very well known… The unappetising preparation of cagalorettes is perhaps the reason for this lack of recognition. Let me explain: these are Pisa snails, boiled and seasoned with a herb and spice vinaigrette. A starter (or dish) that may look tempting on paper, but it’s fearsomely authentic in the kitchen. What’s more, you’ll be hooked very quickly – you’ll be telling us all about it.

2. Tielle Sétoise

Don’t wait to try this spicy little pie, filled with octopus and tomato sauce. You won’t want to miss it during your stay in Montpellier! Historically, tielles were an Italian fisherman’s trick for preparing a complete meal that was easy to transport and store. The tielle is now a staple of Sète, but Montpellier residents have been quick to adopt it!

3. Fougasse with Fritons

This puff pastry focaccia filled with pork or duck fritons is traditionally served as an aperitif, or as a starter with salad. It’s a delicious and convivial dish, seasoned with typical Languedoc ingredients such as rosemary, thyme and olive oil.

4. Macaroonade

Originating in the town of Sète, macaronade has made its way to the tables of Montpellier. It consists of pasta and meat cooked in tomato sauce. It’s a kind of Sète variant of macaroni, simply called ‘macaronade’. You could try it anywhere in Montpellier, but you won’t find two alike. Everyone adds their favourite meats, and sometimes even fish. But the best-kept secret of this dish is the tomato sauce! Everyone has their own recipe, and everyone has the best, of course.

5. Mussel Brasucade

The Languedoc coastline is full of saltwater ponds where mussels abound. Brasucade is a festive and generous dish of mussels cooked over a wood fire in a large dish. Flavoured with thyme, rosemary, tarragon, pepper and olive oil. A dish that smells just like summer, I’m sure you’ll agree!

6. Chichoumeille

This tongue-in-cheek name refers to the ratatouille revisited from the Languedoc region. To differentiate between the two, note that for a chichoumeille, the courgette is replaced by a pepper and it’s cooked in a frying pan, rather than a pot! Usually prepared in large quantities, this succulent dish of sun-drenched vegetables will be just the thing to comfort you after a long day’s sightseeing in Montpellier.

7. Les Escalettes

This traditional Montpellier wafer is a speciality dating back over 700 years! You can recognise the great age of this featherweight sweet by the way it is baked in cast-iron moulds. This is the ancestor of our modern waffle irons, giving them a flat, crispy shape. You’ll probably fall for each of the nine flavours of Escalette, as well as its light texture. So fine, you could eat them (almost) without counting them.

8. Oreillettes

Traditionally eaten during the Lenten period, these little doughnuts have a thin, crispy pastry and are sprinkled with icing or powdered sugar. Those with a sweet tooth can rest assured: oreillettes are so light that there’s no need to worry about how much you’re eating!

9. Clapas chocolate

Probably Montpellier’s tastiest home-made souvenir! You’ll recognise the Clapas by their square shape and white, milk or dark chocolate coating. Their face is decorated with a small light-coloured plaque, in the image of the statue of the Three Graces on the Place Comédie Aglaé. After the crack of the shell when you first bite into it, you’ll succumb to its soft texture made up of feuillantine, tourron cream and broken rice.

10. Muscat from Frontignan or Lunel

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In Occitan, “muscat” means “musky”, “fragrant”. It is a sweet, natural wine, a white wine made from grapes with particularly fragrant aromas. There are two major production sites in the Montpellier region: Frontignan, between Sète and Montpellier, and Lunel, on the road to Nîmes. It can be enjoyed as an aperitif, or as an accompaniment to cheese or dessert.