Novotel Orléans Centre Gare

In the heart of the old town and not far from the cathedral, this 15C half-timbered house showcases an easy alliance of old stonework and cosy touches. The chef, who even trained here when he was learning his trade, hits the mark with delicious cuisine that is in tune with the times. The seasonal menu changes regularly and features appealingly tasty dishes such as pork chop with potatoes and a caper jus.

In a bustling pedestrian street, the façade is discreet. Venture inside for fresh ingredients, original recipes and modern cuisine, courtesy of Céline Lefebvre, a chef with a proven track record. No à la carte, but a short set menu changing regularly abreast of the seasons and availability. Reasonable prices.

Marie Gricourt's career has already taken her to the heights of Christophe Hay's La Table d'à Côté, where she was head chef. She has since opened her own restaurant, a convivial place in keeping with her personality. In this restaurant not far from the banks of the River Loire, the chef and her mainly female team (who provide service with a smile) put a new twist on bistro-style cuisine, simply and precisely: a surf and turf starter with scallops cradled in a sweet potato, bacon and prune purée; conchiglioni stuffed with beef chuck and porcini; and for dessert a delicious floating island with

Tristan Robreau, the chef at this restaurant on the banks of the Loire carefully crafts his own personal take on fusion cuisine inspired by his travels in Asia. The single set menu, which can be fine-tuned to suit your preference, pairs an ingredient with a seasoning, eg green curry with crab, tikka masala with squab.

Opposite Limère golf course, Christophe Hay's second establishment sports a contemporary interior inspired by nature and the forest, the chef's main muses, together with vegetables from his garden. The huge open kitchen is in the hands of chef Loïs Bée, whose highly personal score, underpinned by confident technique, is nonetheless perfectly in tune with the house ethos. The delicate, seasonal cuisine is eco-conscious and favours short supply chains and game in season. Think Sologne trout, cucumber, verbena and tapioca; fillet and andouille of ostrich, parsley-flavoured viennoise, wild garlic,