Le Moulin de Jules et Akasha

This country restaurant has put down its roots in a peaceful winegrowing village in a meander of the River Lot. The wine barn of a former winery is the venue for chef Marius Halter to whisk up delicious modern recipes in which premium local produce features prominently, without forgoing finely balanced creative touches (spices, sweet and sour and globetrotting inspirations). Everything is spot on. In addition to gracefully looking after you at the table, Astrid has curated a splendid organic wine list. A pretty patio in the formal French garden.

What a splendid spot! The River Dordogne meanders at the foot of this superb château set in a formal garden and grounds. The panoramic view from the terrace will take your breath away. The dining room is similarly stunning: marble floors, wall hangings, coffered ceiling and carved wooden fireplace. Stéphane Andrieux has been running the show for almost 25 years, rolling out a polished culinary lineup. Examples include roast Quercy lamb (fillet and rack), flanked with carrot tortellini and soy seasoning or a delicate shortbread of strawberry and meadowsweet, signed Marc Jean, house pastry chef

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;

From the terrace or through the restaurant's picture windows, the landscape mesmerises and fascinates, as you admire the jaw-dropping panoramic view over the grounds and the rooftops of historic Gourdon. Justine and Benoît Mouly showcase regional produce and tableware by local artisans. The food celebrates the region’s traditions, courtesy of creative notes and well-judged flavours: courgettes, strawberries and elderflower; Borrèze trout confit in olive oil, gazpacho of green peas; Salviac foie gras served like nougat with apricots and walnuts.

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!

Set within a vast wine estate founded in 1690, this restaurant is ensconced in a meticulously restored old barn. Behind the stone façade, the warmth of old materials and high wooden beams meets with more contemporary touches: a black wall, an open kitchen with state-of-the-art equipment, comfortable furniture, and large windows overlooking the vineyards and surrounding countryside. In the kitchen, the chef cooks up exquisite dishes based on impeccable-quality premium ingredients. Breton langoustine is served alongside pearly-fleshed ikejime John Dory, accompanied by sorrel and a carrot jus inf

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.