VILLA LES OMBREES

In this 1930s Basque hotel nestled in a pine forest and given a makeover by designer Philippe Starck, Le Skiff Club is a veritable haven with its cosy little dining area decorated in the style of a yacht club. Stéphane Carrade is a talented and skilled chef, cooking up delightful "progressive terroir" cuisine, in a superb celebration of the Aquitaine region in southwest France. He combines generosity and finesse in dishes such as honey-glazed sweet-and-sour Noir de Bigorre pork presa, sauce diable with pig's trotters, and green asparagus with stuffed morels. Finally, Alexandre Blay's desserts

Mathieu in the dining room and Rémi in the kitchen have poured their love of produce and good vibes into this buzzy town-centre hangout. Whether it is beneath the shade of plane trees in summer or in the dinky dining room in winter, you will sample up-to-the-minute bistro nosh that stars local produce and well-judged creative notes, without straying too far from traditional roots as the textbook technique and whole roasts frequently confirm. The admirable selection of wines by the glass (and the bottle), which is both savvy yet affordable, goes down a treat with the evening carte blanche menu.

Make a beeline for this little place in the heart of Arcachon, just a stone's throw from the beach. Behind the black and white storefront, there is a restaurant with a modern decor and a retro touch. The chef knows his stuff, astutely revising bistronomy and traditional dishes: eg a wonderful terrine of black Bigorre pork/poultry, updated with a red onion and pear compote; veal in a herb crust, sweet potato gnocchi.

Grégory Colantuono, formerly chef at Bistro' 50 in La Hume, has now opened his own restaurant in the town centre, not far from the Théâtre Olympia. Post-renovation, this typical Arcachon villa boasts a bright, modern interior, in which to enjoy a delicious, wallet-friendly lunch – diners can also opt for the wine of the week by the glass. The evening menu is more ambitious, with creative and masterful combinations of ingredients sourced in Gironde and more exotic influences: scallops, coffee emulsion, napa cabbage with mead vinegar and kimchi sesame; squab with red kuri squash, Swiss chard, po

Originally from Cambodia, the Khong family settled in Arcachon, and now they are the ones inviting diners on a journey: from China and Japan to Southeast Asia, using regional ingredients. Don't miss the dim sum, the real stars of the show, wrapped in a remarkably fine dough.

Located at the end of the harbour, this restaurant's terrace with rattan chairs boasts a peaceful view of the boats and oyster port, and feels like an invitation to indulge in a laid-back culinary interlude. The interior decor is also reminiscent of a boat, with its arched bar and light wood open kitchen. The chef Brice Tomico has perfected fresh seafood cuisine, featuring oysters from the hut next door and line-caught fish from Arcachon fish market.

In a simple, inviting setting, a couple who are well versed in the culinary arts are breathing new life into traditional cuisine. Prepared collaboratively by both chefs, the food impresses with its clarity, well-chosen ingredients, good sauces and generosity: mullet ceviche, vanilla-infused lemon and seaweed tapioca; quail stuffed with foie gras, peas à la française and a full-bodied jus. This modern eatery also boasts a pretty wood-decked terrace shaded by plane trees. Friendly service.