Collioure
La Balette

La Balette

rte de Port-Vendres66190 CollioureFrance

Catalan • Français • Européen • Végétarien


"We have visited this restaurant seven times over the last few years. It never disappoints. The location is fantastic, with incredible views across the bay to Collioure from the terrace, where it's normal to eat unless the weather is inclement. The staff are wonderful and attentive without being intrusive. English speaking staff are always on hand for those who are less confident with speaking French. The food has been excellent on each occasion that we have dined and it is always interesting both in terms of flavour and presentation. This year, we left the choice of wine to the sommelier and chose to have a glass of something different with each course. It was a great decision. The set menus are very good and, at the lower end of the scale, are really not expensive considering that this is a Michelin starred restaurant. We have eaten off both the cheapest set menu and the intermediate one. Both have been excellent. We wouldn't bother with the A la carte menu because we've found the set menus to be so good. The limited parking really isn't an issue for anyone staying in Collioure as the place is relatively small and is easily navigable on foot. Although not in the heart of the town, the restaurant is just a few minutes walk from the town centre.I think that this is the best place in which I've eaten because of both the location (it really is stunning) and the quality of the food. Long may it continue!"

Le 5ème Péché

Le 5ème Péché

16 r. de la Fraternité, 66190 Collioure, France

Café • Fusion • Poisson • Japonais


"I last reviewed this place in January 2014 since when Masashi Iijima has nudged ever closer towards gaining a Michelin star. We went for lunch and dinner (on different days!). His food and care of presentation are outstanding and we probably had two of the best meals ever there. The premises are chic, clean and smart. There is no outside seating but he has about 26 covers, so booking (including for lunch) is highly recommended. The entrance faces onto a narrow pedestrian street which can be very busy in season, but you are largely unaware of that once inside. It is a small place inside so getting hold of a waitress isn't a challenge! Service is good and attentive without being pushy. You can also sit at a bar stool next to the open kitchen and watch the full preparation process while enjoying your meal. In my view, Masashi is a magician with flavour. He seems to be able to coax the maximum amount of flavour from anything, and indeed you are not always 100% sure what it is you are eating. You might be enjoying your fish or Pluma pork or whatever and then get a little flavour hit of something extraordinary which just lifts the whole experience. Wonderful. The garnishes on the dishes are often from plants/herbs which I don't recognise but which do the job of flavour enhancement beautifully. The food shows invention, care and great skill in the preparation. This is a place to savour the food and linger over each mouthful. The food is French/Japanese fusion (but leaning more towards the French).The wine list is not huge but the wines have been carefully chosen to compliment the type of food on offer so that is not a problem. There are other places in the area which offer an excellent dining experience (taking into consideration their size and/or sea view location etc) but in my view this restaurant wins on flavour, presentation and originality, and these qualities can only come from a chef with a passion. They offer a 25 Euro lunch menu during the week (which has to be amongst the best value in town), otherwise dinner or lunch is a choice of the 39 Euro menu or 62 Euro tasting menu. For each of our two meals including a champagne aperitif, wine with the meal and coffee the cost was under £105 (sterling)."