Southwest France - and particularly la Dordogne - offers fantastic

cuisine du terroir or local cooking, with sumptuous ingredients such as duck, foie gras, truffles and exotic mushrooms etc. all washed down with excellent local wines.

Here at Cappe we have a wonderful restaurant right on our doorstep that is open all year round and offers an excellent set five-course meal of local specialities complete with wine, coffee and digestifs for only 26euros. They also provide kids menus. Your hosts are Thierry LEMOINE and his wife Lydie. They cater for large parties and you don't have to drive which is a bonus!

However, if you want further choice, here are a few suggestions:

In Eymet there is ‘Les Arcades’ a great Italian restaurant/pizzeria in the main square. Presided over by Daniel, it is great value. They don’t take bookings.

In Ste. Foy la Grande, down by the river is ‘Au Fil de l’Eau’ which offers good meals and has a very pleasant outlook. (Tel: 05 5324 7260).

Near Bergerac (overlooking the valley) there is the Grappe D’Or. Excellent and authentic ‘cuisine du terroir’ and reasonably priced. Very duck biased but good. (Tel: 05 5361 1758).

Chez Nelly at nearby Loubès Bernac provides good food at good prices.

Le Relais in Monestier is  very close by with excellent cuisine at good prices. Dani & Jean-Marie are both great (he cooks brilliantly) and there is always a good atmosphere. Outdoor dining in summer sur terrasse. Best to book in advance as it's very popular. (Tel: 05 5324 1732).

Le Poivre et Sel in Bergerac is in the old part of town. Very pleasant restaurant, plus it has a covered outdoor area in an old square during the summer. (Tel: 05 5327 0230).

Special occasions

Three very good restaurants that are ideal for celebrations are: ‘La Tour des Vents’ which has a fantastic view into the Dordogne valley and over Bergerac; Hostellerie des Dûcs’ in Duras and ‘Hôtel des Remparts’ in Castillones. All three have great settings and serve excellent food and wine. They are a bit more expensive but if you are celebrating something special…..

La Tour des VentsTel: 05 5358 3010

Hostellerie des Dûcs Tel: 05 5383 7458

Activities