Our take
Because here, Tolkien's world doesn't stop at the names of the dishes: behind the Joue de Beorn or the Gamegie's Burger, there is homemade cooking, with produce from Auvergne.
A Tolkien-inspired tavern on rue Porte Aiguière in Le Puy-en-Velay: home cooking, green Puy lentils, mead, and booking by phone.
Since 2019, Merry & Pippin has run a tavern inspired by Tolkien's world at 9 rue Porte Aiguière, in the heart of Le Puy-en-Velay. On the autumn 2026 menu, the dishes have Middle-earth names: Joue de Beorn, Filet de Dol Amroth, Gamegie's Burger.
Behind the nods and winks, the cooking is homemade (except the ice creams, the fish and chips and the breaded strips), with local produce: green Puy lentils, Saint-Nectaire, Velay verbena. As for drinks: mead, hippocras (spiced wine) and Vellavia beer on draught.
If you come on a Thursday, a Friday or a Monday lunchtime, the set menu of the day starts at €13.50 (autumn 2026 menu). To book, there is only one way: the phone.
Why we love it
- A Tolkien-inspired tavern since 2019
- Homemade cooking with green Puy lentils and Saint-Nectaire
- Mead, hippocras and Vellavia beer on draught
- Set menu of the day on Thursday, Friday and Monday lunchtime (autumn 2026 menu)
- “Pour les Petits Hobbits” dish for under-10s
Top tip
Call directly on 04 71 09 04 50: it's the only way to book, and the team asks that you don't leave a message.
Before you go
- Open Thursday to Monday, lunch and dinner, closed on Tuesday and Wednesday (2026 hours). Last customers seated at 13:45 at lunchtime and at 21:15 in the evening, 21:45 on Friday and Saturday (2026 hours).
- Set menu of the day on Thursday, Friday and Monday lunchtime, from €13.50 to €18.90 (autumn 2026 menu).
- Prancing Pony menu at €34.50 in 2026: starter, main course and dessert, drink not included.
- The Gamegie's Burger comes in a vegetarian version, with a patty of green lentils and einkorn wheat.
- Bank cards, cash, Amex, ANCV holiday vouchers and meal vouchers (titres-restaurant) accepted.
Practical info
- Address
- 9 Rue Porte Aiguière, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay, France
43000 Le Puy-en-Velay - Monday12h–13h45, 19h–21h15
- TuesdayClosed
- WednesdayClosed
- Thursday12h–13h45, 19h–21h15
- Friday12h–13h45, 19h–21h45
- Saturday12h–13h45, 19h–21h45
- Today12h–13h45, 19h–21h15
Opening hours
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 611 reviews on Google Maps.
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Around Merry & Pippin
25 spots in and around Le Puy-en-Velay, enough to build your day.
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Where to stay nearby
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
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