Café Toulouse Leiden

A French bistro atmosphere by the water, without being formal. Café Toulouse on the Nieuwe Rijn is a place where lunch, wine, drinks, and dinner flow seamlessly into one another. You can enjoy a full meal there, but just as easily drop in for a glass of wine and a few dishes to share.

The French influence is clearly present on the menu. Classic bistro dishes are combined with a contemporary presentation and a cuisine that can move with the seasons. As a result, Toulouse feels familiarly French, without trying to be an old-fashioned brasserie.

French flavors on the Nieuwe Rijn

On the menu, you will find dishes that clearly draw their inspiration from French cuisine. Think of classics such as steak tartare, escargots, and confit de canard, alongside various fish, meat, and vegetarian dishes.

You can decide for yourself how elaborate you want to make it. Start with a few smaller dishes, opt for a full dinner, or combine different flavors at the table. That is precisely why Toulouse works well for both an evening for two and a long table with friends.

Wine is part of it

Wine naturally belongs at a French bistro, and it truly has a place at Café Toulouse. The wine list is intended to complement the dishes well, but you don't need to be a connoisseur to appreciate it.

You can choose a bottle for the whole table or try various wines by the glass. This makes Toulouse a nice place to also pop in for just a drink and order food later if you like.

Lunch, drinks and dinner

Café Toulouse is not just an evening restaurant. During the day, you can also go there for lunch, and later in the day, the atmosphere shifts towards drinks and dinner.

That makes the establishment flexible: an extensive lunch, a glass of wine in the late afternoon, or a full dinner all fit within the same concept.

In good weather, the terrace on the Nieuwe Rijn plays an important role. With a view of the water, you sit here in one of the liveliest spots in Leiden's city center.

French, but not stiff

Toulouse is all about relaxed dining. The dishes have a clear French foundation, but the atmosphere is informal and approachable.

Not a place where you necessarily have to follow a fixed menu for hours, but rather a place where you decide how the evening unfolds. Just having a drink, sharing multiple dishes, or enjoying an elaborate dinner: it is all possible.

For anyone in Leiden in the mood for French flavors, good wine, and a place where you can easily linger a little longer, Café Toulouse is an interesting stop on the Nieuwe Rijn.