ibis Styles Nancy Laxou

Between the Villa Majorelle and the Musée de l'École de Nancy, this restaurant, which seats no more than 16, is housed in a historic former hairdressing salon! In a suitably uncluttered Scandinavian-style interior, chef Theo Mareschal rolls out simple, accessible cuisine in the zeitgeist, presented in “surprise menus”.

A youthful globetrotting chef runs this down-to-earth, laidback bistro in a cobbled street near St Epvre Basilica in the historic town. The bistro fare keeps step with the seasons and market availability, rolling out generous, appetising dishes, depicted by fried artichokes, frothy cantal cheese and confit egg yolk, or a fillet of trout with potato rosti, chermoula of cauliflower and an emulsion of Granny Smith apples. Natural wines dominate the wine list.

In the suburbs of the city (not far from the École de Nancy Museum), this discreet restaurant is run by an industry professional. In a simple and welcoming setting, it strikes a chord with its unpretentious sincerity. Market-fresh ingredients are the cornerstone of this young chef's tasty, well-executed bistro cuisine: Swiss chard stuffed with goat's cheese, veal shank with black garlic, and a grape and walnut dessert. A charming, friendly little place offering good value for money.

In the historic town near Saint Epvre Basilica lies an inviting eatery whose plush, stylish décor blends contemporary notes with century-old stone arches. The chef crafts a flavoursome score by way of several menus that keep pace with the seasons: Arctic char, mousseline of asparagus, chervil-flavoured veggie ravioles; a crunchy vanilla mille-feuille drizzled with caramel – to die for! Fine wine list.

In an ideal location 300m from Place Stanislas, this restaurant boasts an elegant decor in a bold, contemporary vein, enhanced by baroque touches – rather like the food, which is generous and colourful.

A stone's throw from Place Stanislas, this restaurant allies rustic charm with contemporary touches. A bright dining area with bay windows overlooks the kitchen, where the team can be seen creating refined bistronomy dishes. The menu features generous, cleverly devised dishes, such as tomato stuffed with burrata and pesto, a duo of courgettes and slow-cooked pollock, and dark chocolate and passion fruit truffles. The modern and seasonal cuisine adheres to a commitment to bold flavours and well-prepared ingredients in a pleasant and lively setting – it is also good value for money.

At Transparence, just a short walk from Place Stanislas in a busy pedestrian street, transparency is more than just a name – you can see chef Patrick Fréchin working his magic through the glass partition! His various set menus (including one dedicated to lobster) feature beautifully presented dishes that showcase excellent seasonal produce. There is a quiet terrace to the rear.