Le Temps d'Aime

The story

Le Temps d'Aime: Bib Gourmand Market Cuisine in Montpellier

Le Temps d'Aime

In Lattes, just outside Montpellier, Le Temps d'Aime is a family affair. Father Bader brings over a decade of front-of-house experience, while son Tankrède, who honed his skills at Jean-Luc Rabanel's Atelier in Arles and Charles Fontès's La Réserve Rimbaud in Montpellier, runs the kitchen.

The concept is straightforward: market-driven modern cuisine built on fresh, regional ingredients. The menu changes weekly, sometimes daily, depending on what arrives. Everything is made in-house, from the olive oil tasting that opens each meal to the last bite of dessert.

Lunch offers a choice of formulas — a main with dessert, starter with main, or the full three-course option. In the evening and on weekends, the tasting menus come into their own. The four-course Menu du Marché includes an olive oil tasting, amuse-bouche, starter, main, and cheese or dessert. For those with more appetite, the Menu en 5 Temps adds a second starter and a second dessert.

Standout dishes include L'Oeuf Parfait with artichoke, hazelnut, and smoked cream; Saumon Gravlax with wasabi, sesame, and avocado; and a Suprême de Volaille with spelt, bacon, and truffle oil. The Concombre dessert — green apple, lime, and meringue — is a refreshing finish.

The restaurant's quality and value have earned it a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, a recognition that suits its ethos of accessible, well-executed cooking. With seating for 24 and a terrace for warmer days, it's an intimate, no-fuss spot for a focused meal.