Coutillard

This game of skittles in Cajarc is on a roll under the supervision of Grégory Dattiches, a young chef from Lot with an ironclad CV. In a lively neo-bistro, he crafts spot-on inspired dishes ranging from gravlax of trout and a stew of thinly sliced beef cooked in lemon confit and chimichurri to roast monkfish in a saté sauce with verbena-flavoured roast apricots and a house sorbet adding the final flourish to this banquet. Food in the zeitgeist packed in forthright flavours that hits the spot every time. Love at first bite.

Nestling in a leafy green site and dominated by its castle, the quaint village of Belcastel rises up on the right bank of the Aveyron River. Work up an appetite by strolling along its cobbled streets and up and down its steep paths! Quietly feeding hungry travellers is something of a tradition in this family-owned business opened by the grandparents of sisters Nicole and Michèle Fagegaltier, now at the helm. The enticing menu naturally highlights local delicacies such as lamb and veal from Aveyron and Ségala, Aubrac beef and Bigorre black pork, without forgetting fish and farmhouse cheese. Sto

In the Ségala region, nestling in a village that is famous for its Cistercian church, this recently renovated little restaurant is accommodated in a half-timbered house. A well-travelled couple of industry professionals, Guilhem and Léonie, chef and pastry chef respectively, put a skilful spin on traditional fare such as shredded shoulder of lamb served tajine-style or, for dessert, citrus millefeuille with caramel and blood orange sorbet. The well-balanced and appealing menu they have come up with abounds with fresh and colourful dishes – plus it's excellent value for money. In short, they've

Is there anything France's talented female chefs can't do? Charlotte Bauduret – Bonnie is her maiden name – brings together her two passions at this establishment: cooking (modern, vibrant, indulgent, rooted in tradition but elevated with personal touches) and the applied arts. She herself painted the large floral frescoes on the walls and created the restaurant's entire visual identity. Her partner, meanwhile, provides enthusiastic service and dispenses expert advice on wine pairings. On the menu: asparagus roll with pine nuts and guanciale; cod with kombu and tarragon-infused pea mousseline;

At the head of this pleasant restaurant is a foodie couple who travelled to faraway lands and seas before dropping anchor in Cahors. Jean - François concocts gourmet dishes such as: salmon marinated in fennel or wild seabass, pan - fried chard and Lautrec pink garlic cromesquis. Enough to make your mouth water!

A restaurant, bistro, wine bar and wine shop all in one in the heart of Gaillac. This light-filled space with an open kitchen meets all your dining needs. Julien Bourdariès cooks up bistro-style cuisine, complemented by a selection of regional charcuterie and cheeses, and, in season, a truffle menu. His dishes are indulgent – think cod loin with risotto-style fregola sarda and a lemon and fresh herb condiment. The wine list features over 200 different labels. A convivial location, with a room upstairs available for private hire.

In the upper reaches of this village on the Causse de Limogne, this unusual restaurant is housed in an old stone farmhouse. It has been set up by a couple, sommeliers by trade and returnees from a stint in New Zealand, who learned the art of cutting meat from the village butcher, who happens to be the proprietress's father. As a result, they serve only local meats (from the Lot, Aveyron and Tarn-et-Garonne), prepared nose to tail, then matured, smoked, simmered, grilled or made into a terrine – accompanied by crispy, succulent chips cooked in beef fat. Don't miss the wood-fired leg of lamb, co