Résidence Bellevue

Trout from Lau-Balagnas, rabbit from Julos, lamb from Val d'Azun, carrots from Lézignan, dairy produce from Ferme Sayous, coffee roasted in Sassis: Céline, the sommelier and restaurant manager, never misses a chance to sing the praises of the super-local ingredients that her chef partner, Mathieu, expertly crafts into succulent dishes. After training in top establishments (including L'Artichaut, Montpellier), the couple has found their way to our hearts via our stomachs and our tastebuds: organic egg, cream of Jerusalem artichoke, sweet onions, emulsion of star anise; squash-flavoured brioche

In the heart of the old town of Pau, twin brothers, one a chef and the other a pastry chef, have successfully launched their family business in a modern bistro-style setting laid out over two floors, complete with a pastry counter and tea room. The menu is a real draw, and also represents great value for money. This talented pair bring a touch of magic to their apparently simple dishes, drawing on sweet and sour jus and a medley of condiments to enhance their ingenious and generous, yet always light cuisine. Think confit pork belly, barbecue jus, pickled vegetables, radishes, polenta croquette

Two minutes from Pau Château, on the picturesque Place Gramont, imagine a nostalgic bistro with a zinc-topped counter, wood panelling and upholstered seating. Pau's foodies flock here, sharing good vibes as they tuck into fish fresh from the fish auction or 24hr shoulder of pork. The slate menu features traditional nosh served generously and sometimes enhanced by touches of citrus fruit or well-balanced smoky notes. The jovial front-of-house staff are an added bonus.

This restaurant, located in the courtyard of an inn, sports a cosy mix of bare stone walls, a marble floor, a decorative fireplace and modern features such as workshop-style glass partitions and wooden screens. The food is the joint work of a couple, both locals, who have set up shop on the premises of the inn that belonged to her mother. Examples of their knockout score include crispy black pudding, amandine, black pork chorizo, squid and smoked gravy; a sorbet and a cream of lemon and Kampot pepper, mascarpone mousse and pinenuts. All the delicious bread, ice creams and sorbets are made from

In the village of Lézignan on the outskirts of Lourdes, this tastefully restored barn – with its wood-panelled decor, braids of garlic and bunches of chillis, hanging saucepans and wine racks – now serves as chef Christophe Dufau's open kitchen. He has decided to go his own way, embracing culinary freedom and cooking at his own pace at this unique table d'hôtes. Each week, local ingredients and produce from the generous kitchen garden surrounding the barn find their place in the single multi-course set menu. Pheasant pie with wood pigeon, pistachio, foie gras and fermented mirabelle plum, or l

Near the city centre, this vintage bistro is now the lair of Mathieu Espagnacq, who has taken over from his father, who opened the establishment back in the eighties. Mathieu, a seasoned chef with stints in Paris working with top chefs under his belt, crafts food in the zeitgeist that respects tradition and stars premium country produce (farm-reared pork cheeks braised in red wine, vegetables confit in thyme and gnocchi in a smoky cream sauce). A treat for your tastebuds from start to finish – remember to book!

This pair of Japanese chefs cook lovely creative, Japanese - inflected cuisine, in which broths, seaweed and seasonings show off good - quality ingredients. The interior, in keeping with the presentation on the plates, is elegant and contemporary.