Le Longchamp is a typical southern French cafe. It has a tobacco shop, which also sells stamps when the post office in front is closed. Then you have the room, noisy with groups of young people who gather after school. Outside is the terrace, where people go on Saturday afternoon to see and be seen. It's a beautiful place, which serves typical regional food, quick tasty food, with lots of vegetables and olive oil. Ratatouille, steak tartare, grilled fish. There is a dish that changes with the seasons. The price of drinks is a bit high as in any southern tourist spot.
The Nirvana Coffee is a bar and restaurant on Carnot Street, near the historic center of Salon de Provence. Open daily from 8.00 am to midnight and 2.00 am during the holidays. It has a small terrace, and open doors and windows facing the street in the summer. It is a quiet street, you're just watching people pass. Nice place for a breakfast in the sun.
La Storia is an Italian restaurant on Corso Carnot. It is conveniently located next to the Moussue Fountain and the clock tower. It's a bit difficult to park, especially in summer. It is best to go by public transport if you can. La Storia has a selection of pizzas, pastas, rice etc. Seafood pizza is a specialty. The prawn risotto is also good. It has karaoke nights, so if you planned a quiet night, avoid it, but they warn you when you go in. Average budget: about 20 euros per person including drinks.
Le Colisee is a restaurant and coffee lounge in Salon Fountain Square, in front of the clock tower. It is clean, but without much soul, with its modern decor and red armchairs. It has a nice terrace on the square. There is a wide selection of teas and hot chocolates, 20 types of chocolate and over 40 teas. Lunch is basic, pretty good Provençal cuisine. The dish of the day costs less than 10 euros, and an assortment of salads, plus another more expensive menu to eat inside. They deliver food to your office too. There is wi-fi and a library. At night they serve snacks and serve cocktails. On Thursday, it is wine tasting with a jazz band. On Friday there's karaoke and on Saturday a DJ.
The creperie is in the historic city center, near the clock tower. A nice place for the family, there's service with a smile. For lunch there is a set menu for 9 euros, and another for 15 euros, with a salty crepe, sweet crepe and salad. It is closed on Wednesday. Run by a couple, offering original recipes for their pancakes, and home made ice cream. The menu changes with the seasons a bit. Add fresh fruit when you get to the traditional chocolate crepes and jam. I recommend it.
The Oscar Inn is a restaurant in the street with the clock in the historical center of Salon de Provence. It has a terrace with views of the clock tower. It's an original place with a copper roof. It looks like an old Parisian brasserie with its red leather chairs. From the outside, it looks like any tourist restaurant, but inside it has more charm. They serve pizza, pasta, grilled fish and meat, and sometimes a set menu or a themed party. There are three menus: 19.50, 29.00 and 36.00 euros. The presentation of the dishes is very good, using fresh, seasonal products. The 29 euro menu includes for example a fish or duck pate, or a plate of Parma ham, a fish stew, or chicken broth and a cheese plate or dessert.
Le Café de l'Hotel de Ville is in front of Salon Town Hall, on a corner of a small square with the Cours Victor Hugo. It's beautiful and despite being in front of the largest administrative building in the city, there is not much traffic or coming and going. You can enjoy the terrace in summer. There is a cover to give shade. You might think that in a city center, just beside the town hall, the clientele would be more people passing through, and I was surprised that there are people who come every morning to read the newspaper with your coffee. It also serves food at noon, and French Provencal dishes like croque monsieur, beef tartare, rack of lamb with rosemary, a variety of sandwiches with baguette, ham, pate etc
La Salle a Manger is one of the most popular restaurants in Salon de Provence, for the quality of its cuisine. It is a place where lunch costs you 20 euros and dinner 30 euros or more. It's in Maréchal Joffre Street, just behind the Corso Victor Hugo. The decor is nice. It looks like a Provencal house of yesteryear. On the menu are Provencal dishes, some French and Mediterranean dishes and above all 40 desserts! The wine list is also extensive. They have a patio where you can eat outside in summer. There's a 3-course menu for 29 euros.
Aux 2 Gros is a small fast food restaurant on the square Coursillat Salon de Provence. It is the square with the Moussue fountain, the most picturesque aspect of the town. The restaurant is there along with a small terrace. And if they do not make the best food in the neighborhood, at least you can enjoy the view and the terrace with a drink at a lower price in the cafe/lounge next door. They serve sandwiches, salads, snacks and goodies.