Poitiers offers good opportunities for fine food whatever your culinary persuasions. If you know where to head, you'll find everything from cheap fast food to high-priced restaurants with so many recommendations you can't see in the windows for stickers – and there's a good range of ethnic options to try if you're bored with French cuisine. If you're really keen to make your money last, you can ask for any student/youth offers that may be available at the Centre Information Jeunesse (CIJ), 64 rue Gambetta (tel 05.49.60.68.78). The students at the university in Poitiers generate lively nightlife particularly in the bars along rue Carnot and on place de la Liberté, and posters announcing live music and dancing are easy to spot throughout town.Alain Boutin 65 rue Carnot tel 05.49.88.25.53. A good bet for regional dishes like cailles au pineau (quails cooked in a brandy liqueur), with a small, carefully chosen selection; menus from €13.72. Closed Sat lunch, all Sun & first half of Aug. Bleu Sel 40 rue Moulin à Sel. Serves a good range of salads and sandwiches at affordable prices and is popular with students. Closed Sun lunch. Les Bons Enfants 11bis rue Cloche-Perse tel 05.49.41.49.82. Good value for money: serves lunchtime menu at €10.21 on weekdays, evenings €16.92 and €22.10. Closed Sun & Mon. Le Cappuccino 5 rue de l'Université tel 05.49.88.27.39. One of a number of Italian restaurants in this area with menus starting at €8.69. Closed Sun & Mon. Confort Moderne 185 Faubourg du Pont-Neuf tel 05.49.46.69.61, www.confort-moderne.fr. Just over the Pont Neuf, this café serves French and Moroccan food, and is connected to an exhibition centre and record store. Check their website for concert Listings. Le Poitevin 76 rue Carnot tel 05.49.88.35.04. Regional food at decent prices, in an exaggeratedly "rustic" interior. Menus from €14.48. Closed Sun. Le St-Hilaire 65 rue Théophraste-Renaudot tel 05.49.41.15.45. An extraordinary place to dine, in a magnificent medieval cellar with stained glass and ancient columns – and less expensive than it looks. Lunchtime menu at €14.48, evening menus from €15.24. Closed Sun. Le St Nicholas, 7 rue Carnot tel 05.49.41.44.48. Actually located on a small traffic-free lane off rue Carnot, meaning you can eat outside peacefully. Traditional food served with a contemporary feel. Menus €13.56 and €18.14. Closed Wed.
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