The story
Rafales is a bistro and wine bar at 122 bis rue Gambetta in Royan, named Recommended by the Michelin Guide in 2026. The modern cuisine here comes in small plates, served alongside an interesting wine list.
The Lagarde family ran Le Tire-Bouchon in Toulouse for three decades before opening in Royan. Studio Flodeau designed the room with white and cobalt blue tie-dye walls, Babel D furniture and powder pink cushions. Philippe looks after the wines, and there is outdoor seating for lunch.
Laurence cooks the food. Le Fooding, which also listed the address in 2026, singled out an almond and Parmesan shortbread with goat cheese mousse, eggplant purée and grilled peppers from the Ferme de Brouage. Braised beef chuck comes in a tomato and paprika bouillon. Dessert is a white peach and lemon verbena compote under golden crumble.
Recognition
Details
History
After letting the Tramontane wind blow through Le Tire-Bouchon for the last three decades in Toulouse, the Lagarde squadron is now flying the Royan flag… If you feel like whistling a familiar tune, take a seat between the walls of this stunning cabinet of vino-sities, overhauled from the (oceanic) floors to the ceiling by Studio Flodeau (white and cobalt blue tie-dye walls, matching Babel D furniture, powder pink cushions). And while Philippe makes the wines dance, Laurence, heeding the call of the land of his youth, prepares plates that will blow you away: heady almond and Parmesan shortbread topped with goat cheese mousse, eggplant purée, grilled peppers from the Ferme de Brouage and sun-dried tomato paste; sweet potato gnocchi that melts on the tongue and artichokes bathed in a Parmesan espuma; unmissable braised beef chuck in a tomato and paprika bouillon, paired with new potatoes, whole carrots and carrot purée; before taking a trip into the land of sweets, with a white peach and lemon verbena compote hidden under dunes of golden crumble. // Pica Bidon
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