Le Dauphin

Restaurants nearby

• Pic★★★ Michelin The first thing to mention about Maison Pic (in the Drôme département of southeast France) is its special atmosphere. An artfully lit room designed to cast light on the dishes, floral creations, a thick carpet that muffles the steps of a front-of-house team dressed in classic attire. Here, they serve food the old-fashioned way, on a porcelain plate under a cloche. The lofty culinary obsessions of a chef who has been dubbed "the tightrope walker of flavours" – adulation of Japan, original presentations – make themselves felt in the dishes. Anne-Sophie Pic now serves a single set menu with seven10.7km
• Mandibule★ Michelin Chef Maxime Szczepaniak, who switched from construction to cooking, taught himself the trade during lockdown and then went on to hone his skills in prestigious star establishments, clearly lives life to the full. He has set up shop in a listed stone house in the centre of the village, whose pared-down interior with exposed stone walls and polished concrete floors also hosts exhibitions by local artists. First and foremost, however, it is the setting for vibrant cuisine, whose surprise menu zooms in on local produce: stuffed courgette flowers, pike-perch and asparagus, lake trout with watercres8.1km
• Épithèque★ Michelin In the heart of historic Valence, Flaveurs has become Épithèque. In a colourful setting, depicted by a carpeted floor and chestnut wood tables, Baptiste Poinot aims to create closer ties with his diners and can often be found in the dining room. Influenced by his delicatessen grandfather, Poinot studied at Vienne Hospitality School, before learning the ropes with Michel Chabran, Anne-Sophie Pic and Joël Robuchon. This sensitive chef, who seeks above all to convey an emotion, crafts food that bears witness to the careful thought, excellent produce and consummate skill behind each dish.10.7km
• La Cachette★ Michelin In the lower part of Valence, this hidden gem is the contemporary lair of Japanese chef Masashi Ijichi. He crafts a fine, delicate repertory, underscored by a succulent encounter between the Drôme region and inspired flashes of Asia. A few examples: pumpkin soup with sea urchin, avocado and prawn toast and an ethereal dessert of oranges, vanilla and walnuts. Outstanding wine list including a superb selection of northern Côtes du Rhône wines.11.0km
• Le Carré d'Alethius★ Michelin Between the départements of Drôme and Ardèche, this restaurant named after Roman senator Alethius has a distinctly Provençal air about it. The villa is arranged around a square courtyard, a gorgeous verdant patio where you can dine in fine weather. After working for Jean-Michel Lorain at La Côte Saint-Jacques, Olivier Samin occupied the post of sous-chef for Anne-Sophie Pic for a long time. He delivers fresh cuisine that reflects the seasons and market availability (eg regional fruit and vegetables, escargots from Helix Eyrieux, local cheeses), and he also has a tremendous sense of balance: pr15.3km
• Le Bac à TrailleBib Masashi Ljichi, chef of La Cachette, has made his dream come true in this wholehearted, flavoursome bistro, whose name pays homage to a former shuttle (bac) that used to cross the Rhône by way of a cable (traille). The accent is on big-boned bistronomic flavours and deft craftsmanship. Market-fresh cuisine and crisp plating, packed in punchy, heroic flavours. Fine selection of regional vintages. Knockout value for money.11.0km
• Les Cèdres★ Michelin Some establishments have chosen to shy away from media hype and les Cèdres is in that category. Betwixt Romans and Tain-l’Hermitage in Drôme, venture over the threshold of this restaurant, shaded by cedars and devoted to nature, and sample the work of the Bertrand brothers: Jacques in the kitchen and Jean-Paul in the dining room. Since 1988, they have lavished time, humility and talent on developing their enterprise. As Gallic as Gauloises and Jacques Tati, the menu focuses on flavour rather than fancy technique. The authentic warm welcome adds the final flourish to this hospitable establishme16.8km
• Barr AvelBib It is worth going out of your way to come to this restaurant with a simple, welcoming decor and a wine bar atmosphere. At the helm, Breton chef Maxime Le Maux serves up an affordable lunch formule, plus a few well-thought-out daily specials. In the evening, a more elaborate set menu is added, along with tapas and platters for sharing. Ingredients are local and seasonal: Ardèche trout, vegetables from the Rhône Valley, sheep's cheese. The modern cuisine shows flashes of inventiveness, as is the case with the chef's wonderful take on carbonara, featuring white and green asparagus – as original a13.3km
• Almacita This restaurant in Valence is the brainchild of Louis Chabran, who serves South American cuisine prepared by bona fide Latin-American chefs. The menu opens with a selection of tapas – from pimientos to tacos de pollo, croquetas de chorizo – to whet the appetite, followed by dishes with bold flavours, such as sea bream ceviche with leche de tigre or grilled swordfish served with a cream of sun-dried tomatoes, flaked almonds and smoked aubergine caviar. Spices and exotic flavours are introduced with a delicate touch. A selection of cocktails and mocktails completes the experience in a relaxed at10.6km
• Bistrot André The Pic family’s André bistro unveils a dialogue between tradition and modernity depicted by a spot-on score and bolstered by a truly outstanding wine cellar, courtesy of the gastronomic parent establishment, and high-flying sakes. The family’s heritage is celebrated with Jacques's mosaic of red mullet and foie gras and his orange-laced iced soufflé. Local trout gravlax is dotted with veggie and spicy touches, half-way between a vibrant tribute and fresh new start.10.7km

Includes Michelin / Black Pearl / guide picks (reference quality, no prices); data from Overture, Michelin Guide and others.