Domaine De Blancardy

“Montpellier the Gifted”, as the city likes to bill itself, provides the backdrop to this well-hidden restaurant on the banks of the Lez. Slightly off the beaten track, it boasts a divine riverside terrace shaded by plane trees – a refreshing haven in hot summers. This modern and sophisticated Reserve is located in an old country house, an Ali Baba’s cavern of gourmet delights, unearthed from the little-known repertory of Languedoc-Roussillon. Former second of Alain Dutournier at the Carré des Feuillants, Charles Fontès signs intelligent compositions that revolves around the ingredient. Subtle

Trained in star Swiss, French (and even Australian) establishments, chef Laurent Cherchi is a stalwart champion of the environment. He offers two menus, one of which is lacto-ovo-vegetarian, while the other is all-out vegan (without animal ingredients) – which is nothing if not rare in the universe of French star-rated establishments. All his produce is rigorously sourced locally, from the Cévennes to the Mediterranean (beef from Aubrac, saltbush lamb from Camargue, tomme cheese from Larzac) and the front-of-house team is more than well-versed in the ins and outs of each ingredient’s provenanc

In this lovely restaurant steeped in character in the heart of historic Montpellier, Boris Caillol (formerly Le Petit Nice and La Maison Troisgros) signs a bold creative modern score and the inventive, no-holds barred chef continues to set our tastebuds tingling! He scours Montpellier’s organic market himself, hunting out the best seasonal ingredients. The resulting subtle dishes are admirably paired with an enticing wine list that demonstrates a weakness for biodynamic wines from the region. The old stone walls are offset by soft lighting and contemporary fixtures, all of which is further enh

Jacques and Laurent Pourcel are at the helm of the restaurant of the lavish 17C Richer de Belleval Hotel located in the heights of Montpellier. Beneath head-spinning ceiling frescoes or on the exquisite courtyard patio, it is a joy to (re)sample the culinary talents of the Montpellier twins in which every detail is puzzled and preened over as they finetune Gallic recipes adding their hallmark creative stamp. We warrant that Richer de Belleval, botanist and founder of Montpellier’s botanic gardens, would have appreciated this gourmet score!

Wend your way along narrow Rue Terral to this snug, attractively appointed restaurant and you will quickly find out why it is one of Montpellier’s most popular eateries! It is impossible to resist Daniel Lutrand’s cuisine, which is both inspired and inspiring, refined and refreshing, in a bid to showcase the region’s top producers. An example: confit celery in house-made Thai curry with green spinach and a curry-coconut cream or Ségala veal cutlet flanked by miso-laced confit leeks, seed cromesquis and veal gravy. Two sensibly priced lunchtime menus and a “surprise” menu in the evening, whose

Having left Duende in Nîmes, Julien Caligo has returned to his native Vaunage, setting up shop in a converted farm building that has been transformed into a contemporary dining space. The venue pays homage to his grandmother Monique, who passed down the fundamentals of cooking to him. Offering excellent value for money, the lunch tasting menu is a masterclass in technical skill. To start, focaccia with sweet Cévennes onions and a tartlet with smoked pike roe, followed by bonito, quinoa crunch and green asparagus – a starter with real bite – then hake, pressed pig's ear terrine, a bold and frag

This astonishing restaurant is completely unremarkable from the street... what a surprise, then, beyond the stainless steel-clad tunnel, to enter this attractive room with a sleek decor that blends metal, Montpellier stone, tiles and granite. Chef Guillaume Leclère is committed to what he dubs his "cuisine d'arrivage": he serves a single set menu that changes regularly in line with the ultra-fresh ingredients available (Mediterranean fish, veal from the Pyrenees etc), all sourced via short supply chains. Only the list of ingredients is revealed to diners. The chef's precise, pared-back creatio