Manoir La Barriere - Lot

What a splendid spot! The River Dordogne meanders at the foot of this superb château set in a formal garden and grounds. The panoramic view from the terrace will take your breath away. The dining room is similarly stunning: marble floors, wall hangings, coffered ceiling and carved wooden fireplace. Stéphane Andrieux has been running the show for almost 25 years, rolling out a polished culinary lineup. Examples include roast Quercy lamb (fillet and rack), flanked with carrot tortellini and soy seasoning or a delicate shortbread of strawberry and meadowsweet, signed Marc Jean, house pastry chef

This couple who earned their stripes in the industry have transformed this charming Périgord mill – a water-powered sawmill, to be precise – into a peaceful country restaurant. The stream that drives the cogs can be seen beneath the restaurant through the glass floor panels. The chef rustles up delicious food that is very much in tune with the times – eg fillet of roast Limousin beef, topped with a good red wine jus and accompanied by Noirmoutier potatoes. They have a lovely shaded terrace, and the proprietress provides attentive service.

In the heart of a picturesque Périgord village, this welcoming establishment features two tastefully rustic dining rooms and a large terrace overlooking the village square. The chef, a local lad, takes pride in showcasing regional produce in seasonal menus that change weekly, jazzed up by his globetrotting souvenirs: duck confit nems and houmous made with Périgord walnuts; lamb sweetbread in Monbazillac wine and pink berries, finishing with an iconic dessert - Grand Marnier soufflé.

On the banks of the Ouysse, a magnificent tributary of the Dordogne, this restaurant has been in the same family for five generations. Today, two brothers are at the helm: one front of house, one in the kitchen. Inspired by tradition, the dishes showcase fine ingredients – saddle of Quercy lamb roasted with thyme and garlic, served with purple artichoke barigoule. The patio shaded by linden trees adds a final irresistible flourish. Overnight stays are possible in the hotel.

Valérie and Jean-Marc Réal have been at the helm of this delightful restaurant in a peaceful Black Périgord village for over twenty years. The chef enhances seasonal produce, cleverly blending tradition and modernity, in particular courtesy of punchy gravies and carefully balanced combinations of ingredients. Examples include sautéed snails and calf’s head wrapped in green leaves, garnished with a watercress-flavoured crème of cep mushrooms. A warm welcome and an extensive wine cellar add the final flourish to a slap-up meal.

The terrace under the vine-shaded pergola is the perfect spot in fine weather, while in winter you can take refuge inside, beneath the medieval vaults of this former 11C stronghold, done out with contemporary furnishings. On the menu: dishes with bold flavours, featuring regional producers: lamb from the Lot, farm-reared pork, and poultry from Mayrac etc. View of the cliffs and the Dordogne.

In front of an elegant 19C freestone building, the terrace laid out on a balcony looks onto the Dordogne valley. Inside, herringbone hardwood flooring, immaculate white walls, delicate mouldings and green or beige velvet seats make for a refined setting that is both chic and cosy. The chef, a keen traveller, turns his hand to two types of cuisine: brasserie style at lunchtime and fine dining in the evening. He only uses top-notch produce, which he cooks to perfection. Some of his dishes are infused with subtle Asian notes, for instance his lemongrass prawn bisque.