La Maison du Chemin des Prairies

As you explore the winding lanes of Avignon, you may come upon this attractive restaurant with a large open-plan kitchen. The chefs deliver the food to the table themselves, while you drink up the savvy tips of an enthusiastic sommelier, who is something of a connoisseur of biodynamic wines. Mathieu Desmarest crafts a surprise menu depicted by legible, pared-down, balanced dishes, courtesy of seasonal produce sourced from local suppliers, enabling him to make the most of this cornucopia of impeccable ingredients (octopus, bluefin tuna, pigeon). The subtle and creative recipes and marriages of

On the other side of the Rhône, opposite Avignon and the Palais des Papes, the small town of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon also boasts its fair share of monuments, of which Le Prieuré is one such. This old cloister, oozing in charm, provides the perfect foil to enjoy creative cuisine made with first-rate ingredients. The surf and turf combinations are sometimes bold but hit the spot every time (langoustine with rhubarb and Bigorre black pork) thanks to big-boned flavours.

Red mullet, courgettes, peppers, artichokes and olive oil: chef Julien Gleize celebrates Provence on a picturesque square of the City of Popes, courtesy of drool-worthy dishes jazzed up with herbs and spices and a fondness for produce from the Atlantic. A seasonal score packed with flavour to be sampled in an urban interior dotted with vintage details or on a shaded terrace by a refreshing fountain.

This gorgeous old Provençal bastide on the outskirts of Avignon upholds the hospitality traditions of the country inns of yesteryear devoted to good food and good cheer. Noble produce and classicism take front stage here, illustrated by loin of cod sautéed on a slice of bread with a trio of celery, leeks and peanuts, although the occasional more modern creation can also be found. Southern Côte du Rhône wines take pride of place in the cellar. Lovely terrace in fine weather and polished service.

This friendly restaurant is decorated in vibrant colours and is set in a 19C townhouse. It serves seasonal cuisine based on fresh local produce, which can be enjoyed in the courtyard when the weather is fine.

In the heart of old Avignon, this discreet restaurant occupies a long, narrow space with vintage hardwood floors, beamed ceilings and contemporary touches such as designer pendant lights, Plexiglas seats and simple settings on pale wood tabletops. Having worked in some top kitchens (Pollen, Le Carré d'Alethius, Le 1920), the chef rustles up straightforward modern cuisine centred on seasonal produce. He likes to prepare the same ingredient in different ways and showcase a variety of textures, a case in point being the peas that he serves with the Salers ribeye steak, or the strawberry and elder

Italia Palladino's second restaurant (the other being Italie Là-Bas), Café Roma boasts a prime location in the historical centre, at the foot of one of the towers of the Palais des Papes – admire the view from the terrace. The colourful interior decor with large golden mirrors adds to the charm. The dishes showcase the generous and fragrant flavours of the Mediterranean, incorporating the occasional Asian influence: grilled prawns glazed with ginger and soy sauce, Thai-style black rice served with swordfish and caponata.