L Etoile d'Argent

In the heart of the Lunéville countryside, this romantic, classical château is nestled in wooded grounds. You pass through a dignified series of rooms that have lost none of their period cachet: wainscoting, parquet floors and open fireplaces, into the dining room overlooking the grounds. A few subtle baroque and contemporary touches brighten up this glamorous interior, providing the perfect foil to the chef's cuisine – traditional with modern touches. Previously a pastry chef, the talented and discreet Cyril Leclerc (who hails from Lorraine) loves premium produce. He treats it with respect –

Near Nancy and the Rhine-Rhone Canal, we warrant you will be won over by the vintage charm of this 1960’s house and its discreet rural edge. A family business for three generations, formerly an open-air tavern, today’s diners make a beeline for its shaded terrace. Seasonal, up-to-the-minute fare: pig’s trotters, sardines, confit onions; apricot crumble and vanilla cream – signed by the owner-chef, all of which washed down by a fine choice of vintages.

Once a village café, then a family inn, it is now a gourmet table with an enviable reputation in the Moselle “lake district”. This illustrious restaurant is in the capable hands of Bruno Poiré, Michèle’s son, who after learning the ropes in the family business as a teenager, honed his skills with Georges Blanc at Vonnas and Antoine Westermann at the Buerehiesel. He prepares precise, generous dishes in tune with the zeitgeist that reveal a soft spot for Mediterranean recipes. A fine dining experience in a contemporary setting, enhanced by attentive service.

Bang in the heart of a rural village on the Plaine des Vosges, not far from the spa towns, this hotel-restaurant has been run by the same family since 1919. Hungry travellers happily take a seat in the lovely dining rooms, one of which, with an exposed timber ceiling, was once the village washhouse. Chef Maye Cissoko confidently finetunes a seasonal score, in which premium ingredients are allowed to shout their name, e.g.: scallops, served raw and as quenelles, or veal smoked in hay with coffee-laced Jerusalem artichoke and a gutsy gravy.

Just a stone's throw from Place Stanislas, youthful chef Martin Debuiche orchestrates a market-fresh score inspired by regional produce. Carefully sourced ingredients and deftly crafted cooking: good food in a buzzy, friendly vibe.

The team that has taken over this small Art Nouveau building opposite the Parc de la Pépinière is on a mission to serve as a bastion against "junk food" and the industrialisation of what we eat. The chef connects with producers to champion local agriculture, delivering vibrant cuisine that is, above all, packed with flavour. Very good value for money at lunchtime.

A stone's throw from Place Stanislas, this restaurant allies rustic charm with contemporary touches. A bright dining area with bay windows overlooks the kitchen, where the team can be seen creating refined bistronomy dishes. The menu features generous, cleverly devised dishes, such as tomato stuffed with burrata and pesto, a duo of courgettes and slow-cooked pollock, and dark chocolate and passion fruit truffles. The modern and seasonal cuisine adheres to a commitment to bold flavours and well-prepared ingredients in a pleasant and lively setting – it is also good value for money.