Manoir d'Hautegente

Born in South Africa and raised in New Zealand and Australia where he learnt the craft, Nick Honeyman fell in love with France and its produce following stints at Arpège and above all Astrance. In fact, it was thanks to Pascal Barbot that our globetrotter found his way to this bistro that he has gradually turned into a gourmet establishment. Exquisitely presented, his signature cuisine is a masterfully intelligent festival of emulsions and contrasting flavours. This seasonal restaurant (May-Sept) located in a picturesque village boasts a terrace overlooking the garden’s manicured lawn. In the

Born and bred in nearby Brive, the chef is an advocate of hearty traditional cuisine, in which local ingredients abound: fried egg, crispy bacon and new-potato galette; calf's head with ravigote sauce; free-range guinea fowl with carrots; moist walnut cake with crème anglaise. This converted mill on the banks of the Vézère (the old cogs can still be seen beneath the glass floor in the entrance hall) has been renovated and transformed into a contemporary bistro. It also boasts a terrace built over the river, facing the 12C Pont Vieux.

In the Périgord Noir, this restaurant is housed in a 17C mansion which boasts a courtyard, bliss for alfresco dining by candlelight, and lounges whose stone walls bear witness to their long history. It is a pleasure to catch up with Nick Honeyman, chef of Le Petit Léon. His creative cuisine is renowned for its fresh, distinctive flavours, particularly those of citrus fruits, which he uses to excellent effect in menus that mingle local and globetrotting influences.

An old café in the heart of this pretty village has been turned into a contemporary bistro by the Dutch duo of chef Tom Houdijk and cordial front-of-house manager Sarah van Baardewijk. The bistro vibe (banquettes, long tables, small bar) is in keeping with the menu, in which bistro classics – think beef tartare, sea bass fillet and crème brûlée – get a fresh and precise makeover. Colourful dishes, perfect cooking and meticulous details: a charming and welcoming establishment.

In the heart of the "Périgord Noir" area of the Dordogne, this boïdicou (Occitan for the basket you take to market) embodies authentic, seasonal cuisine in all its simplicity. Run by two enthusiastic young chefs, the restaurant favours fresh, top-notch local ingredients, most of which are sourced within a 50km radius. The lunch menu changes every week, adapting to what local suppliers have to offer. In the evening, there's a more elaborate surprise set menu. Relaxed atmosphere and efficient service.