Place Plumereau is set out with the tables of expensive
cafés and
restaurants ; the bars in this area can be overpriced but many have a lot of character. The most promising restaurant streets are rue du Grand-Marché and rue de la Rôtisserie, on the periphery of old Tours, and rue du Commerce and rue Colbert. Sugar and chocolate freaks should make a detour to
pâtisseries like La Marotte, 3 rue du Change, and La Chocolatière, 6 rue de la Scellerie. The main
market halls are to the west of St-Martin at the end of rue des Halles.
Académie de la Bière , 43 rue Lavoisier. A serious establishment near the cathedral for those dedicated to good ale; you can choose from among 200 types of beer while playing darts.
Brasserie de l'Univers , 8 place Jean-Jaurès (tel 02.47.05.50.92). Big and beautiful Belle Époque brasserie with its original painted glass. Grilled meat and fish, pizzas and menus from 85F/¬12.96. Service till midnight.
Brasserie de la Victoire , place de la Victoire. Simple brasserie in one of the less touristy squares. Moules frites for 55F/¬8.38.
Au Chien Jaune , 74 rue B. Palissy (tel 02.47.05.10.17). Serves simple good food. Menus at 75F/¬11.43 and 98F/¬14.94.
Le Franglais , 27 rue Colbert. This bar-cum-restaurant serves up enormous plates of meat with chips and salad for 60F/¬9.15, including wine. The owner and cook is English, which explains the name, but the cuisine is decidedly French.
Jean Bardet , 57 rue Groison (tel 02.47.41.41.11). Tours' top restaurant and one of the best in France. Extremely sophisticated, health-conscious food with a minimum of butter and cream and a maximum of rare herbs and old varieties of vegetables. 500F/¬76.22 à la carte, and fixed menus from 250F/¬38.11.
Le Molière , cnr rue de la Scellerie & rue Cornielle. Directly in front of the Grand Théâtre, this vast Belle Époque café has faded frescoes and a relaxed atmosphere.
La Rôtisserie Tourangelle , 23 rue du Commerce (tel 02.47.05.71.21). Salmon pancakes, beef from Chinon, guinea fowl and other goodies, and excellent-value menus from 95F/¬14.48. Closed Sun evening & Mon.
Le Singe Vert , 5 rue Marceau (tel 02.47.20.02.76). Another Belle Époque brasserie with lunchtime menus from 68F/¬10.37. Open till midnight.
Trois Caïmans , 91 rue Jules-Charpentier (tel 02.47.37.71.26). Senegalese-African restaurant serving specialities such as brochette d'antilope and chèvre yassa (goat in onion and lime sauce). 65F/¬9.91 and 95F/¬14.48 menus. Closed Sun & Mon.
Les Tuffeaux , 19 rue Lavoisier (tel 02.47.47.19.89). An attractive setting for delicious classic cuisine; menus from 110F/¬16.77. Closed Sun & Mon lunch.
