Le Vinagrou

Is there anything France's talented female chefs can't do? Charlotte Bauduret – Bonnie is her maiden name – brings together her two passions at this establishment: cooking (modern, vibrant, indulgent, rooted in tradition but elevated with personal touches) and the applied arts. She herself painted the large floral frescoes on the walls and created the restaurant's entire visual identity. Her partner, meanwhile, provides enthusiastic service and dispenses expert advice on wine pairings. On the menu: asparagus roll with pine nuts and guanciale; cod with kombu and tarragon-infused pea mousseline;

At the head of this pleasant restaurant is a foodie couple who travelled to faraway lands and seas before dropping anchor in Cahors. Jean - François concocts gourmet dishes such as: salmon marinated in fennel or wild seabass, pan - fried chard and Lautrec pink garlic cromesquis. Enough to make your mouth water!

This game of skittles in Cajarc is on a roll under the supervision of Grégory Dattiches, a young chef from Lot with an ironclad CV. In a lively neo-bistro, he crafts spot-on inspired dishes ranging from gravlax of trout and a stew of thinly sliced beef cooked in lemon confit and chimichurri to roast monkfish in a saté sauce with verbena-flavoured roast apricots and a house sorbet adding the final flourish to this banquet. Food in the zeitgeist packed in forthright flavours that hits the spot every time. Love at first bite.

In the upper reaches of this village on the Causse de Limogne, this unusual restaurant is housed in an old stone farmhouse. It has been set up by a couple, sommeliers by trade and returnees from a stint in New Zealand, who learned the art of cutting meat from the village butcher, who happens to be the proprietress's father. As a result, they serve only local meats (from the Lot, Aveyron and Tarn-et-Garonne), prepared nose to tail, then matured, smoked, simmered, grilled or made into a terrine – accompanied by crispy, succulent chips cooked in beef fat. Don't miss the wood-fired leg of lamb, co

In the wine storehouse of a château in the heart of the vineyards, this restaurant exudes the very particular charm of truly authentic places. Charcuterie rack, butcher's block, ham slicer and cases of wine herald a wonderful moment of gourmet delights, rounded off by wines from the estate. Rotisserie evening every Friday. Just delicious.

At the entrance to this bastide town perched on the heights of the Quercy Caussadais, this small restaurant is run by a versatile duo who are no strangers to the business. Fresh from Alsace, they have swapped the vineyards of eastern France for the hills of the South-West. There are no culinary gimmicks here: it's all about honest, serious cuisine, allying tradition and fresh ingredients, eg seasonal mushroom vol-au-vent and poulette sauce with vin jaune. Friendly atmosphere guaranteed.

Behind a frontage with red window frames, this well-matched duo are forging their path and taking a simple approach. Trained in London, Lisa (front of house) and Tanguy (in the kitchen) have set up shop in this corner of the Lot. The bright, unfussy space has a pared-down aesthetic, with its white walls, exposed bricks and vintage objects lending it character. The food is in the same vein: clear, balanced and rooted in the ingredients. Enhanced by an orange vinaigrette and a scattering of almond splinters, the gravlax-style trout retains all its tenderness. The stuffed cabbage – a more rustic