Hôtel Mercure Toulon La Seyne-Sur-Mer

Just a stone's throw from the harbour, this unassuming eatery is a resounding success thanks to the chef’s tasty, delicate Mediterranean cooking. Courgette flowers stuffed with a creamy, herby emulsion; sardines marinated in finger lime; gribiche-style stuffed veal parcels; ravioles of Tamaris mussels in basil with an aioli emulsion. Everything is made from scratch, including the bread. Cheerful and professional welcome from the hostess. Given its success, bookings are essential!

In the heart of Toulon, opposite the bronze statue Génie de la Navigation and in the shadow of the Frontale du Port (the 1950s listed buildings by Jean de Mailly that divide opinion), is chef Romain Janin's bistro. The menu celebrates the food culture of Provence, putting a twist on fresh local ingredients: Tamaris mussels au gratin; wild prawn ravioli; egg mayonnaise with summer truffles; courgette flower fritters; lamb shoulder confit; textures of beef tongue. Each plate is brimming with generosity and suggests savoir-faire to spare. The atmosphere here is relaxed and friendly, with service

Here in the Old Town, a chef from Milan who settled in France many years ago serves "gastronomie de rue" (elevated street food) – a fusion of Latin American, North African and Asian flavours. Francesco's colourful dishes are packed with spice: cod, smoked garlic cream, cockles and chorizo; beef consommé and carpaccio, noodles and fresh herbs. Good value for money means that customers keep coming back. Booking required.

Beaming and buzzing! The kitchens of the Télégraphe, a high spot of Toulon’s cultural life, are all go! Energetic Arnaud Tabarec, born in Burgundy, honed his skills in prestigious establishments and was the star chef of the Five Hotel’s Roof in Cannes. Today he is acclaimed for his delicate, predominantly vegetarian cuisine, whose ingredients are of course sourced locally and combined boldly.

In this cobbled street of Toulon's old town, where the terrace is smoke-free from May to October, you can tuck into delicious "cuisine de producteurs" (as the chef calls his cooking). A champion of local produce and the terroir, he concocts good seasonal dishes with a fondness for vegetables – to wash down with natural and organic tipples: ravioli, burratina and a poultry jus with chanterelles; thin slices of Aveyron pork, potato gratin with Le Beausset saffron and organic vegetables from Provence; roast Solliès figs and arlette biscuit.

L.A. stands not for the City of Angels, but Lazaro Anthony, whose signature cuisine is served in a super-compact format. In a narrow street behind the port, this is a one-man-show: the chef, the son of a restaurateur, makes absolutely everything himself: the bread, the ice cream, the jus… That means three days of preparation before opening Thu-Sat, for just 14 guests. Not one more. In the small vaulted space with soft lighting and Mediterranean charm, or on the wisteria-clad patio on sunny days, you can enjoy a short, fresh and inspired menu: John Dory, fennel, bouillabaisse jus; chocolate, ha

In the heart of Provence’s hilly terraces, the terrace of this Farm Inn commands a staggering view over the valley and the Sainte-Baume range. Produce from the estate takes pride of place on the menu (the chickens have the run of the pinewood, orchard, olive grove, herb and vegetable garden), which is healthily and creatively crafted by the chef and paired with estate wines. Pretty rooms and cottages also available.