ibis Bourg Jasseron/Teyssonge

Located on a pedestrian street, with an open kitchen that is already visible from outside, Agave references the plant from which tequila and mezcal are made. Raphaël and Fernanda Pillon, a French-Mexican couple and trained pastry-makers, create a brilliant fusion cuisine of French ingredients and Mexican flavours. After a stint in Mexico, the pair returned to his roots in the Ain, where they create balanced dishes, discerningly complemented by a variety of sauces and condiments: scallops and macha salsa, pastrami-style roast beef given a boost by salsa verde, veal rump elevated by an intense m

On the doorstep of the Cerdon vineyards, this picturesque medieval village in the Bugey and Revermont region is home to a great establishment! Jérôme Busset works tirelessly (in and out of the kitchen) to devise an intelligent surprise menu with a range of options. Modern, intuitive, signature cuisine, made with cherry-picked local produce: market garden asparagus and carrots, snails with wild herbs, Poncin honey and insightful wine tips. All of which is served in a pleasant airy dining room with a lightwell and a vaulted conservatory.

A firm favourite: justice is done to regional specialities (Bresse chicken, frogs' legs, crayfish and its legendary pike quenelles) and the wine list is packed with vintage bottles. Terrace with a view onto the church of the Royal Monastery of Brou.

The epitome of a family-run inn, where hearty portions of tasty cuisine du terroir are served with a smile in a freshly refurbished dining area. Calf's head, chicken in creamy sauce, chicken liver soufflé and frogs' legs are all on the menu. Well-kept guestrooms for overnight stays.

In the hands of Georges Blanc, this handsome 1900 edifice is home to a splendid brasserie adorned with a fresco of the Blanc clan. The culinary score showcases a regional line-up of classics: Bresse poultry in cream, frog’s legs in garlic and parsley and traditional Nantua-style quenelle of pike. Lovely conservatory-cum-patio.

Disciples of the Slow Food movement, Estelle and Andreas Baehr are passionate about showcasing premium fresh, organic and local produce. Beautifully balanced and seamlessly crafted, the lunch and dinner set menus are a culinary masterclass – dishes such as pollock served with saffron-infused grenaille potatoes, cockles and emulsion of rockfish soup tick all the boxes. Good recommendations when it comes to biodynamic wines.

This family-run establishment, which has had a contemporary makeover, affords relaxing views over the surrounding grounds. Chef David Lachavannes continues to deliver tasty and coherent cuisine that makes the most of ties with local producers. The market-fresh "Menu du Marché" served on weekdays is a bargain; the weekend menus are more ambitious. A real gem.