Le Genty Magre

Le Genty Magre is a small traditional bistro at 3 Rue Genty-Magre, in the Daurade and Esquirol area of central Toulouse, in the Occitanie region of southwest France. It is a cassoulet specialist, and its cassoulet won the title of Best Cassoulet in the World at the 2023 championship held in Toulouse, which gives the address unusual standing in a city where the dish is a point of local pride. The dish is made with duck confit, Toulouse sausage and couenne sausage, and it is prepared over two days, in keeping with the slow method the dish demands. The Menu Tradition, built around the cassoulet toulousain, is priced at 49 EUR (about $56.35) at lunch and dinner, while an evening seasonal menu costs 58 EUR (about $66.70) for visitors who want something other than cassoulet. The weekday lunch is the budget route: two courses cost 26 EUR (about $29.90) and three courses 29.50 EUR (about $33.93), although this lunch menu is not offered on Saturdays or public holidays. The dining room is intimate and traditional in spirit, a bistro rather than a formal restaurant, with a focused menu and a neighbourhood following. Dress is casual, noise levels are those of a busy small room, and the pace is unhurried. The price category is moderate, around two dollar signs, which is good value for a prize-winning kitchen. Cassoulet portions are large, so many diners skip the starter and go straight to the main course. Wine choices tend toward the southwest and the Languedoc, which suit the rich cooking. Reservations are advisable because the room is small and the award has raised its profile. Booking is possible online through the Zenchef link on the restaurant's website or by phone on 05 61 21 38 60. Visitors should book a few days ahead for dinner and earlier for weekends. The street is a short walk from Place du Capitole and from the Garonne embankment.