La lagune aux oiseaux

Overlooking the marina of Port Ariane, this family restaurant, run by a father and son team, is always a safe bet. Whether you opt to eat alfresco on the terrace or indoors in the contemporary dining room, the concise market-fresh menu changes weekly and is very reasonably priced. The enticing lineup stars an intelligent blend of distinctive flavours without falling into the trap of excessive complexity: velvety parsnip, goat’s cheese, black olive and hazelnut soup; fish of the day with celery and bacon risotto; apple sorbet, vanilla, pecan and caramel cream. The evening menu is more elaborate

“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

The Pourcel brothers have upcycled this former wine storehouse into a vast space where stone, steel and wood are blended in a smart neo-industrial vein. The dishes, which draw on locally sourced ingredients at their height of their maturity, are infused with inspirations from far and wide. As you peruse the menu ranging from super-fresh seabream, red mullet and seabass to fried potato cakes, rockfish soup or roast squid with tempura of squid head, houmous cream and lemon confit dressing, you will get an excellent foretaste of the “gastronomic bistro” spirit of this terminal.

On the ground floor of a building whose tree-inspired avant-garde design is by architect Sou Fujimoto, this restaurant serves a patriotic line-up of gourmet cuisine as its delicious veal liver, Madeira sauce and mashed potato amply demonstrate! White predominates in the 2.0 brasserie interior. Near the canal, the lush green patio draws the crowds like bees to honey, but many are also lured to the swish rooftop bar perched on the 17th floor, which commands a panoramic view over the city that stretches as far as the Mediterranean!

Richard Juste, who previously ran the restaurant Idée Saveurs, have taken over the reins of this inviting and spacious eatery, which boasts a peaceful terrace sheltered from onlookers. The chef crafts dishes that he describes as "free of frills", demonstrating razor-sharp precision at every step of their preparation. Examples: ceviche of scallops, coconut milk, lime, granny smith apple, sweet potato seasoning; calf’s liver, variations on parsnips, chimichurri of dried fruit, kumquat, balsamic vinegar laced in wild pepper… Concise selection of local wines.

On the way into the Domaine de Verchant, Marcelle occupies contemporary premises, depicted by a light airy dining room and a stepped terrace with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. The menus are inspired by local, seasonal produce, in particular from the restaurant’s own cottage garden.