Hotel les Griffons

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

This emblematic inn stands in the heart of the picturesque village of Brantôme. Enticing seasonal cuisine made from painstakingly sourced produce and scattered with Asian notes is served in a cosily comfortable dining room, which leads onto an enchanting terrace overlooking the River Dronne.

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.

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

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.

This quaint old house in the heart of Périgueux provides the perfect foil for Gilles Labbé's assuredly epicurean cooking. It is clear that careful work goes into the precisely crafted recipes including the inspired vegetable dishes. The menu features quality Aubrac and Salers meats matured for six weeks on site. A master class of delicate craftsmanship and delicious food. Particularly attentive and enthusiastic front-of-house team.

The Petrocorri were a Gallic people who settled in the Dordogne – a sign that the chef is proud of his roots. This pleasant venue in the historical heart of Périgueux, beneath century-old arcades, is the chef’s brainchild. He rolls out a two-pronged concept, with a bargain bistro-style lunch, and a more elevated fine dining menu with several courses in the evening. The contemporary, meticulously plated food takes local ingredients and tweaks them ever so slightly, like his black pork of Périgord with black beans and garlic condiment.