Narbonne’s Iconic Buffet Claims World’s Largest Cheese Selection

Narbonne’s Iconic Buffet Claims World’s Largest Cheese Selection

If you think you’ve seen a lot of cheese in your life, think again. Nestled in the heart of Narbonne, France, Les Grands Buffets isn’t just any restaurant—it’s a living tribute to the legendary Auguste Escoffier and a temple to 19th-century French culinary tradition. With 150 dishes inspired by Escoffier’s 1903 Culinary Guide, the restaurant has earned a reputation as a global showcase for classical French gastronomy. But for cheese obsessives, there’s one headline you can’t ignore: the largest cheese selection in the world.

Guinness World Records officially crowns it with 111 cheeses, artfully arranged along a 30-meter-long platter that’s more exhibition than buffet. It’s a dizzying spectrum: from the silkiest Bries to the punchiest Epoisses, tangy goat crottins to nutty Comté, Manchego to Roquefort, Tête de Moine to Salers. Each wheel and wedge comes with a label noting its intensity—but even with that guidance, it’s easy to get lost in the glory of it all. Luckily, a floating chef roams the display, ready to steer diners toward cheeses that match their palate.

The story behind this dairy paradise is as meticulous as the cheeses themselves. Founders Louis and Jane Privat, alongside Xavier Thuret, Meilleur Ouvrier de France Fromager (Best Craftsman of France, a world-class cheese master), journeyed deep into the terroirs of France and Europe to select every variety. The result isn’t just a buffet—it’s an encyclopedic tasting tour of European cheesemaking.

And the best part? For €65, the entire Escoffier-inspired buffet, including this monumental cheese experience, is yours to savor.