Argelès Restaurant Guide
My name is Christophe and I personally visited all of Argelès’s restaurants reviewed here and give you a comprehensive review of each restaurant. Click on the dropdown to jump to the restaurant you’d like to read about or simply scroll down the page. I hope this is useful for you.
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Abalounge Argelès Restaurant Review
Chez Denise Argelès Restaurant Review
La Mandoline Argelès Restaurant Review
La Reserve Argelès Restaurant Review
Le Table du Coin Argelès Restaurant Review
Le Tour du Monde en 80 Bières Restaurant Review
Le Petit Rest’eau Argelès Restaurant Review
Ty' Breizh Argelès Restaurant Review
Abalounge Argelès Restaurant Review
Located towards the end of Argelès port, Abalounge is a locals favourite and I think it’s the best restaurant in Argelès port. Not only are they very welcoming and friendly, but it has this laid back beach vibe that makes you want to just stay there and have another cocktail.
Starting with the entrées, the homemade foie gras with jam and brioche immediately stands out. The homemade sardine rillettes are also must-try - a silky, flavour-packed spread perfect for smearing on crusty bread. The mixed fried seafood platter is another highlight featuring calamari, sardines and monkfish.
Moving on to the main dishes, the tuna tataki with sesame seeds is great - the tuna is seared just enough to enhance its flavour while keeping its centre beautifully raw.
The pork cheek ravioli with butternut sauce is a dish I’d never tried before - the richness of slow-cooked pork cheek encased in delicate pasta all lifted by the natural sweetness of butternut squash.
For those who prefer something lighter, the restaurant’s selection of salads is more than just an afterthought. The seafood salad is particularly interesting, combining fresh marinated fish fillets, shrimp, salmon tartare and crispy calamari with a medley of greens. They also do some great burgers and a very nice Moules Frites (it seems like this obligatory by French law as every restaurant seems to offer it on their menu!)
Desserts-wise, the chocolate lava cake, served with vanilla ice cream, is guiltily delicious, whilst the Grand Marnier soufflé is an elegant choice, light and airy with just the right level of boozy warmth. For something classic, the apple tart with caramel and salted butter is a delicious nod to traditional French patisserie.
Chez Denise Argelès Restaurant Review
4 All. des Palmiers, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
During my research trips to Argelès, Brasserie Chez Denise became my “go to” restaurant – friendly, casual, open every day, quick, good value and tasty.
Starter-wise, I like the goat cheese pastry with tomato and garlic coulis, tuna tataki served with wasabi and wakame and the goat cheese and lardons salad.
For the main courses, there’s always a Plat du Jour to surprise you. Otherwise, you can choose comfort food like cod fillet with rouille sauce, delicately cooked to maintain its flaky texture or a pork tenderloin with a chorizo sauce adding a smoky, slightly spicy kick to the dish. I particularly liked the parillada de poisson, a generous assortment of grilled fish caught locally and their beef bavette in a Banyuls wine sauce, which adds a rich, velvety depth to the dish.
For dessert, they offer goodies like Baileys tiramisu with caramel and salted butter and a really good homemade tarte tatin.
La Mandoline Argelès Restaurant Review
33 bis Av. du Grau, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
Tucked away off the beaten track , behind the beach close to the car parks, La Mandoline has to work a little harder to attract its guests and this shows in its food and service. Open all year round, La Mandoline is a local’s restaurant first and foremost with a focus on fresh seafood traditional French cuisine as well as pretty good pizza.
For starters, may I recommend the oysters, served by the half-dozen, which are plump and briny offering a taste of the sea in every bite. The Calamari is also just right and very moreish with a homemade tartar sauce. The Assiette de Galliour, a beautifully arranged seafood plate and the Salade de la Mer showcasing fresh seafood atop a bed of crisp greens, are both good bets too.
Their seafood mains are all very reliable notably the grilled salmon, locally caught sea bass and Gambas à la Persillade with giant prawns cooked in a fragrant garlic and parsley sauce that elevates their natural sweetness. For meaty mains, the Côte de Bœuf Grillée is a nice cut of beef and was cooked just right and nice and tender. Likewise, the Magret de Canard, a classic French duck breast dish, delivers rich, tender meat with a beautifully seared crust. I realise these are very standard dishes, but many restaurants don’t get the basics right!
For dessert, all the classics are there, whether it is a classic crème brûlée or a decadent chocolate fondant, and they top off a fine meal, which is why the restaurant is almost always busy with happy diners.
La Reserve Argelès Restaurant Review
2 All. Jules Aroles, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
The oldest restaurant in Argelès, having been founded all the way back to 1896, though I suppose this was a hut for many decades back then, this is a well-known restaurant right on the “strip”. Unlike many restaurants that are only open for the summer season, La Reserve is open for most of the year and is always popular as a waterhole.
Starters include seafood tartare - a refreshing option, finely diced and seasoned to highlight the natural sweetness of the fish and anchovy carpaccio, delicately marinated and served with crisp accompaniments. The charcuterie and cheese platter is a generous and good for those having an apero.
Seafood-wise, fresh oysters, prawns, and mussels are on offer of course, as well as a lot of grilled fish and shellfish, though I particularly liked the seafood paella, which was packed with prawns, mussels and calamari and lots of saffron seafood flavour. Moules-frites was a good example of the genre and offers some more adventurous options like Roquefort or chorizo.
For meat lovers, the entrecôte steak and duck breast were both grilled to perfection, and the duck had a rich tender texture complemented by a subtly sweet glaze. But, locally sourced lamb cutlets, which are always one my “go to” choices, offered a balance of crispiness on the outside and juicy tenderness within. As usual, burgers are also on offer, but I preferred their brochette skewers of meat and seafood.
For those with a sweet tooth, classic French desserts such as crème brûlée and chocolate fondant, as well as a nice range of sorbet are on offer.
Le Table du Coin Argelès Restaurant Review
58/59 esplanade du nouveau monde, Le Port, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
Don’t ignore the simple wooden menu with a few simple dishes, such as fish of the day, as this is this this restaurant’s secret weapon: freshness and simplicity. La Table du Coin in Port-Argelès is all about seasonal fresh, and locally inspired dishes, emphasizing seafood and high-quality meats and it’s always busy and popular with locals. It’s also family run and very welcoming – make sure you book ahead.
With a changing seasonal menu, it could start with Foie gras with Périgord truffle, oysters, gratinated mussels with aioli, a fish soup or maybe mushroom puff pastry with butternut squash. I chose the scallop salad and was not disappointed – just right and quite generous with the scallops.
Similarly, the fish of the day will be whatever the local Argelès fishermen caught that day – be surprised! Other classics include rib of bream, duo of calamari and cuttlefish, and beef stew with rice. We tried the Gambas and the rib of bed in Banyuls sauce – both excellent.
Le Tour du Monde en 80 Bières Restaurant Review
C3 Les Villégiales du Quai d'Honneur, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
This is more a pub review than a restaurant review – it’s got a great atmosphere, people are here for a good time and it’s the closest to a pub that Argelès has got. As the name suggests, the beer selection is one of the main attractions featuring an extensive variety of draught beers from Britain, Ireland, Belgium, Germany,and beyond including Jupiler, Leffe, Guinness, and Delirium as well as IPAs, Pilsners and Stouts.
To soak up the beer, they offer a nice range of sharing platters – think bread, tomato, Serrano ham, and olives or an assortment of cheeses paired with nuts and honey. The salads are quite creative too, such as the Gersoise salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, duck breast and fresh mushrooms offering a delightful balance of textures and tastes.
Otherwise, pizza is the order of the day and I can’t vouch for it as didn’t try them, but they looked quite nice. Some of the pizzas are a bit creative, such as the Montagnarde, which features bacon, potatoes and Reblochon cheese.
Le Petit Rest’eau Argelès Restaurant Review
3 Quai Vasco de Gama Résidence Acapulco A, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
Open all year round and bursting with foodie passion, when you know, you go to Le Petit Rest’eau. With a welcoming atmosphere and a menu that showcases traditional French cuisine with a touch of creativity, Le Petit Rest’eau stands out as a must-visit destination for food lovers.
For starters, can I suggest the foie gras français au muscat de Rivesaltes combining the creamy decadence of foie gras with the subtle sweetness of muscat wine. The planche de cebo de campo, featuring pata negra, is another excellent choice for those who appreciate the deep, nutty flavours of well-aged Iberian ham. Seafood lovers will be pleased with Couteaux en persillade and palourdes - razor clams and clams prepared with garlic and parsley, offer a fragrant and delicate start; whilst the soupe de poisson, made with fresh local catch, is a heartwarming dish.
For mains, I liked the mille-feuille d’aubergines with pesto and parmesan crumble is a fantastic vegetarian option that layers rich and savoury flavours. For the hungry, the zarzuela, a traditional Catalan seafood stew, a tasty medley of fish and shellfish, cooked in a fragrant and aromatic broth, is very satisfying.
Grilled dishes are a highlight at Le Petit Rest’eau, with the parillade being a standout option. This generous mixed grill showcases an assortment of seafood cooked over an open flame, ensuring a smoky, tender bite. The duo gambas et encornets is another seafood delight, featuring large prawns and squid, perfectly seasoned and grilled to enhance their natural flavours.
Ty' Breizh Argelès Restaurant Review
Rdpt de l'Arrivee, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
The first thought when I arrived at Ty’ Breizh was why is not every Poissonerie in France like this? Here you can buy your fish to cook at home or eat it right there and then – a simple, but genius idea and I hope that more fishmongers follow suit. It’s very simple, you select what fish or seafood you would like and they cook it for you and the staff are friendly and brisk.
Seafood platters are by far the most popular choice accompanied by cold crisp white wine highlight featuring an eye watering assortment of oysters, shrimp and other shellfish, as well as other seafood classics, such as paella, fideuà and zarzuela. It’s a little on the pricey side though, but you get what you pay for.
Sabai Sabai Thai Argelès Restaurant Review
12 Av. des Platanes, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
Whenever I see a scruffy looking Asian restaurant, my heart lifts and I enter – it’s an unwritten rule that the less groomed an Asian restaurant is, the more likely it’s going to be surefire taste winner! Sabai Sabai passes the scruffy test – it’s not scruffy per se, but just a bit worn and aged – showing that they’ve been in business a long time in Argelès.
Is Sabai Sabai the best Thai restaurant in the Pyrenees-Orientale? I’m not sure, but it must be high up on the list. It brings an authentic taste of Thailand to diners with a menu full of vibrant and aromatic dishes. All the classics are here starting with brochettes of gambas marinated in lemongrass and grilled to perfection provide a fragrant and smoky start, while Thai-style spring rolls, Chicken satay skewers with peanut sauce and Thai shrimp cakes served with a sweet and tangy sauce are also standout choices.
For main courses, the sautéed Thai basil beef is a favourite, the prawn Pad Thai is a good example of the genre with plenty of tamarind sauce, egg, peanuts and fresh lime. For those seeking a lighter dish, try the steamed sea bass wrapped in banana leaves allowing the fish to absorb the delicate fragrance of the herbs. I also liked their green papaya salad with fresh chili and lime dressing – just the right level of heat – and the Tom Yum soup with lemongrass, kaffir lime and coconut milk was very good, though beware it’s fiery!
Solazo Argelès Restaurant Review
1 All. des Tamarins, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
You may have noticed that almost all of the restaurants featured in this review are all-year-round restaurants and Solazo is no exception. I’ve been to Argeles in every season and have tried many of the restaurants that are only open during the season and have found them to be mostly expensive and unremarkable.
I really do think that the restaurants that are open throughout the year show more commitment and passion than the “fly by night” pop-up restaurants. The set menu at Solazo also offers excellent value with options ranging from a lunchtime special to a more indulgent three-course meal.
Having said that, I wasn’t sure to include Solazo or not, but I wanted to include more variety, so here’s a pizzeria, which also offers a rich range of Savoyard dishes, most notably raclette, fondue savoyarde and croziflette – all rustic and comforting heavy dishes!
The pizzas are also pretty good and classic Italian and will please most people. Indeed, Solazo has something for everyone. Seafood lovers will appreciate the tuna steak with a sesame crust, grilled salmon and seafood linguine. For meat eaters, you have prime ribeye steak with sauce tartare, a fillet mignon of pork with curry and coconut and a well-seasoned grilled chicken breast with mushroom sauce.
