Top 10 culinary specialities in Nîmes

Nîmes is best known for its well-preserved Gallo-Roman buildings. Attracting large numbers of tourists every year, thanks in no small part to its pleasant climate, the region is also renowned for its delicious cuisine. We’d like to tell you a little more about it? The gastronomy of Nîmes has something to make even the least gourmand of you jump for joy. Close to the sea, the town is home to a large number of fish and seafood dishes, but just a stone’s throw from the Cévennes, it is also influenced by mountain cuisine, which is particularly rich in meat and cheese. So you’ll be able to find everything you need in this 161 km² of green land, home to some of the most beautiful trees in France.

What to eat in Nîmes Our 10 culinary specialities.

1. Tapenade

If any of our readers are from the south of France, then they’ll be familiar with the tapenade, a staple of towns in this region. In Nîmes, you can eat it morning, noon and night! The paste is made from black and green olives, which gives it its famous black colour that makes it so recognisable. Pieces of anchovy, herbes de Provence, capers and a little olive oil are added. The best way to spread it is on a slice of toasted bread. Did you know? Tapenade is rich in magnesium, and therefore iron, which boosts your energy and reduces stress.

2. Nîmes wine

What could be better than accompanying a slice of tapenade with a delicious glass of wine? The Costières-de-Nîmes AOC is often coveted by wine lovers and connoisseurs of exquisite beverages. Indeed, this wide variety of wines shows just how rich and diverse the town’s terroir is. There’s something for everyone! If we had to recommend one, it would undoubtedly be the “Château Mourgue de Grès”, a real nugget. It’s only when the nectar starts to flow down your throat that the definition of the word “perfection” will take on its full meaning.

3. Petit Pâté de Nîmes

If you’re wandering through the streets of the town, it’s highly likely that you’ll be attracted by the strong smell of a mixture of veal and pork. Where does it come from? It’s almost certainly from the little pâtés, a very popular Nîmes speciality… and not just in Nîmes! This meat filling is carefully wrapped in shortcrust pastry. Sometimes, the meat is even replaced by cod brandade. Succulent, by the way! Pâtés are easily recognised by their fun mushroom shape. Rich in flavour, it’s a savoury dish that’s best enjoyed in the late afternoon.

4. Cod brandade

Brandade de morue from Nîmes is made from desalted fish poached in a little milk and hot oil. The mixture is then transformed into a delicious, creamy white purée, which you can’t wait to try. Some say that this is the city’s oldest recipe, dating back to 1786. And yes! Brandade has been making people happy long before us. Its name comes from the patois “brandar”, meaning “to stir”. Interesting, isn’t it? In France, brandade de morue is eaten just about everywhere. But it’s in Nîmes that you’ll have the chance to taste the best version.

5. Gardiane de Taureau

A recipe that originated in the Camargue, gardiane de Taureau (what a funny name) has quickly become a typical Nîmes dish. It has to be said that no-one can resist these delicious pieces of tender meat bathed in a mouth-watering sauce. The dish’s little extra? Traditionally, the meat is marinated in Costières de Nîmes wine (a must): this gives it a pleasant, subtle flavour, which is then enhanced with anchovy butter before grilling. It’s a dish that’s best eaten during a harsh winter, by the fireside, wrapped in a blanket with Nîmes motifs.

6. Pélardon cheese

What kind of dairy products do we like to eat in Nîmes? Many would answer “le pélardon”, without hesitation. This tiny cheese made from raw cow’s milk is often found on the table next to the baguette at breakfast. Barely 60 grams in weight and very creamy, it can be enjoyed on a slice of fresh bread, or as a dessert… with dried fruit and a few spoonfuls of chestnut honey. It can even be found in certain salads and creamy sauces. The goats that produce this cheese, which has had an AOC for over 20 years, come from the pastures of the Cévennes.

7. Les Croquants Villarets

If we had to name just one dessert that epitomises the city of Nîmes, it would undoubtedly be the little biscuits known as “Croquants Villarets”. Young and old alike love strolling through the pedestrian streets, taking these delicious little dry sticks with them. The recipe is over 200 years old, and is produced exclusively in Nîmes, where it has been passed down from generation to generation among locals keen to keep their traditions alive. Take just one bite, and you’ll be irresistibly won over by the flavours of honey, orange blossom, lemon and almonds. Baked in a wood-fired oven, we like to eat them at any time of day. After all, there’s no time for pleasure!

8. Fougasse Saint Gilloise

A frozen brioche made with sugar and leavened with orange blossom, does that ring a bell? The Fougasse Saint Gilloise does! Originally, it was a dish reserved exclusively for the festive season. But as time went by, it became too hard to resist. Now, it’s eaten absolutely everywhere at any time of year in the city of Nîmes. You’ll be able to find it in practically every bakery in the town! So, are you happy? A great way to start the day, just before you set off to explore the region.

9. Olives

Nîmes’ flagship product. Olives are always present at mealtimes: they can either be added directly to the dish, or served alongside, waiting to be tasted. These little balls are rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, so eating them will do you a world of good. The olive tree is a legacy of the Greeks and Romans, so it’s no coincidence that you’ll find them absolutely everywhere in the region, if you’re familiar with the town’s history… Are you unfamiliar with it? How about sitting down, with a bowl of olives in one hand and a detailed book in the other, and finding out more?

10. Bourride de Lotte

A typical Provençal dish, Bourride de Lotte is a stew that perfectly combines fish and seafood. Yummy, we’re already salivating! This Mediterranean speciality is sure to turn the stomach and tantalise the taste buds of all fish lovers, but especially of pesco-vegetarians, who have put it right at the top of their list of best discoveries in Nîmes. A little white meat, a few finely chopped vegetables and (the final touch for a successful sauce) the aioli, and you’ve got this sweet mixture. Isn’t your stomach rumbling?