The Dordogne is full of fabulous restaurants to suit all price ranges. From freshly produced and beautifully cooked 12-13 euro lunch menus to some top-class gastronomic treats. These are some of our favourite gourmet restaurants for foodies looking to visit the Dordogne with food being a priority.
Favourite gourmet restaurants in the Dordogne
Le Vieux Logis, Tremolat
A beautiful setting in the charming little village of Tremolat. The restaurant is set in a gorgeous 16th century priory which has been converted into a luxury 4 star hotel.
The restaurant is in a beautiful large room with exposed stone walls and wooden beams and an attractive balcony above the seating area. Alternatively on a sunny day you can sit in the lovely gardens.
The Vieux Logis has a 100 euro menu for 5 courses or 80 euros for 4 courses or a gourmet menu of 130 euros specially prepared by the chef. There is also an 'a la carte' menu.
The Vieux Logis has one Michelin star.
Opposite the hotel the Vieux Logis also has a Bistro Restaurant called 'Le Bisto de la Place' which has a tasty Menu Bistro with 3 courses (no choices) or a 3 course 'Tout canard' menu with a choice of 2 options for each course - all duck apart from the deserts.
Address: Le Vieux Logis, 24510 Tremolat; tel: 05 53 22 80 06
Les Fresques Restaurant, Monestier
The Les Fresques Restaurant is housed in the east wing of the beautiful Chateau des Vigiers, an attractive castle dating back to the 12th and 16th centuries.
The restaurant has just been awarded its first, well-deserved Michelin star. In the kitchen designed by Michel Roux of the Waterside Inn in Bray, UK, the head chef, Didier Casaguana and his team produce wonderful meals which make the most of fresh seasonal produce and local specialities.
The menu changes every week but specialities include dishes such as 'Escalope de foie de canard poêlée, liquoreux de carotte aux zestes de citron vert, cerfeuil et noisettes'.
There is a 3 course gourmet menu for 74 euros and a 5 course discovery menu costing 94 euros. There is also of course an 'a la carte' menu.
The restaurant is in a beautiful room decorated with wall frescoes, or, on a warm evening you can dine 'al fresco' on the terrasse overlooking the lake and castle grounds.
As well as the Les Fresques restaurant there is a brasserie, 'Le Chai'; housed in an ancient wine-making building. Menus in Le Chai range from 27-36 euros.
Of course the Chateau des Vigiers also has an excellent golf course and a very nice spa.
Address: Les Fresques, Chateau des Vigiers, 24240 Monestier; tel: 05 53 61 50 00
Le Grand Bleu, Sarlat
Sarlat is one of our favourite places in the Dordogne and what better way to cap a perfect day than a dinner in this Michelin starred restaurant. The restaurant is on the edge of the town centre and does not have the charm of Le Vieux Logis or Les Fresques but the food is excellent.
Maxime Lebrun and his team select local ingredients and specialities where possible and the food is beautifully presented.
At lunchtime there is a menu bistro at 26 euros with an entrée, main dish, desert , glass of wine and a coffee. This is served Thursday, Friday and Saturday lunchtimes.
For dinner there is a menu decouverte for 58 euros and a menu degustation costing 90 euros for 3 courses, 110 euros for 4 courses or 130 for 5 courses.
Menus change with the season but could include mouth-watering delights such as 'Foie gras cuit à la grenade, gingembre et coriandre, compotée de papaye et patate douce, granité de vin de noix'.
Address: Le Grand Bleu, 43 Avenue de la Gare, 24200 Sarlat-la-Caneda; tel: 05 53 31 08 48
L'Essential, Perigueux
Perigueux is another incredible town in the Dordogne and has a number of excellent restaurants. One of its best is the Michelin starred L'Essential. The chef Eric Vidal worked at a number of top restaurants before opening his own in Perigueux.
Menus at L'Essential include specialities of the Perigord region with an innovative touch given by Eric Vidal.
Menus start at 49 euros for the 3 course 'Gourmand' menu with 3-4 options to choose from for each course. From the same menu 4 courses are availble for 66 euros and a cheese course can be added to either option for a supplement.
Or, there is a 68 euro 3 course menu (85 euros for 4 courses).
At the time of writing this included a delicious 'Demi homard bleu snacké à l’huile d’olive, les sucs des carapaces au Monbazillac, des légumes de saison aux amandes grillées'.
Address: L'Essential, 8 rue de la Clarté, 24000 Perigueux; tel: 05 53 35 15 15
