Le Nid d'Alex Spa - Rando

Established in a handsome mansion, abutting the Opera House and just behind one of France’s most beautiful squares, chef Charles Coulombeau and his wife Roxane are a firm fixture of Nancy’s culinary scene. After stints at Les Prés d’Eugénie and Lameloise, Charles deftly crafts modern cuisine, enhanced by creative flourishes and nods to Japan, where he worked for a time. Citrus, seaweed and Asian notes are perfectly paired with premium ingredients such as ikejime Vosges Arctic Char or plump Bresse chicken. Knockout terrace overlooking the park.

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.

In a village house, the dinky dining room blends parquet floors with bare stone. Chef Benjamin Royer creates dishes that showcase a soft spot for premium produce and undeniable savoir-faire: langoustines flambéed on a stone and paired with Mirabelle plums or confit of Polmard lamb. Attentive front-of-house team.

Located in the village where artist Claude Lorrain was born, this snug bistro serves bang-on French country cooking (a juicy fillet of Hereford beef and home-made béarnaise sauce, sweetbread with morels and a crème brûlée worthy of Amélie Poulain), dotted with modern touches (red tuna and seasonings). Top-notch produce and a savvy wine list.

In the suburbs of the city (not far from the École de Nancy Museum), this discreet restaurant is run by an industry professional. In a simple and welcoming setting, it strikes a chord with its unpretentious sincerity. Market-fresh ingredients are the cornerstone of this young chef's tasty, well-executed bistro cuisine: Swiss chard stuffed with goat's cheese, veal shank with black garlic, and a grape and walnut dessert. A charming, friendly little place offering good value for money.

Between the Villa Majorelle and the Musée de l'École de Nancy, this restaurant, which seats no more than 16, is housed in a historic former hairdressing salon! In a suitably uncluttered Scandinavian-style interior, chef Theo Mareschal rolls out simple, accessible cuisine in the zeitgeist, presented in “surprise menus”.

In an ideal location 300m from Place Stanislas, this restaurant boasts an elegant decor in a bold, contemporary vein, enhanced by baroque touches – rather like the food, which is generous and colourful.