Château de Gouyas

Let’s get down to the basics (or the Essentials), rather than losing time in pointless conjectures. The ingredient rules in this family-run restaurant, next-door to the cathedral, and Éric Vidal is its virtuoso (yet humble) servant. For thirty or so diners, he organises a genuine banquet of flavour, thanks to delicately balanced preparations. Wild turbot baked in olive oil, pressed celery with black truffles; tartare of mango and pineapple with passion fruit jelly and French almond tea cakes… The tasty culinary score is flanked by a selection of wines that is fully equal to the attractive menu

The idea was to unite Italian cuisine and the dishes of Périgord's terroir – and Maryse Benoit-Gonin and her husband have done just that in this cosy bistro. The generous, lovingly prepared dishes combine the best of both worlds: potato gnocchi with Périgord walnut oil; guinea fowl and pancetta terrine with foie gras; Périgord beef meatball alla milanese.

In a modern building on the higher ground outside Périgueux, Sandrine and Vincent Cardoso's restaurant has a functional dining space. The food represents a complete change of tack, with a different menu on offer every week. Served with good jus, first-rate local ingredients are accompanied by seasonal vegetables that demonstrate the chef's indisputable expertise. Everything is cooked precisely and from the heart. The brandade of salmon with sweet wine, the chicken supreme in a ramekin with bay leaves and farm spinach, or the diced Golden Delicious apple on a buttery sablé reflect the care lavi

In the upper reaches of Périgueux, chef Gilles Gourvat (a local lad) has been welcoming guests for some fifteen years in a tastefully refurbished farmhouse. His modern recipes pay tribute to Périgord traditions with passing nods to his beloved Basque Country. Local produce is cast in the star role in a hearty gourmet menu: duck confit and wild mushrooms; scrambled eggs and truffles in season; semi-cooked duck foie gras served with figs. A friendly professional front-of-house team caters to your every need.

Deep in the countryside, in a Natura 2000-protected site, this restaurant is housed in a 16C mill. The interior has been refurbished in a contemporary style featuring glass, wood and clean lines, as well as the mill mechanism. Matthieu Brudo elegantly showcases the terroir: Vitrac-Saint-Vincent pork pluma glazed with ponzu and Mornac chickpeas, Limousin beef, Neuvic sturgeon and fish caught fresh in Royan. The wine list, which points to a penchant for natural and biodynamic estates, is the perfect complement to the sincere and generous cuisine.

It is so popular that you have to book weeks, even months in advance. In a peaceful, airy house opposite the church, Mickaël Clautour and Laura Legeay lovingly craft a seasonal score. The vibe in the dining room is warm and attentive, while the kitchen team finetunes each detail with a focus on taste above all. Chawanmushi-style flan of crab and grapefruit, confit trout with citrus fruit, apples and sweet chestnuts: every dish is a masterpiece of delicate simplicity steeped in heroically wondrous flavour. Even better, it is all at sensible prices.

In the heart of the Périgord Blanc, this traditional stone-built house conceals a charming contemporary interior dedicated to showcasing artisans – the cutlery is exquisite! – and local produce, including herbs from the garden and vegetables from Les Jardins de Chantérac. From his open kitchen, Louis Festa, a young chef with an impressive CV, crafts ambitious and spontaneous dishes, always inspired by the season.