Restaurants in the Luberon and l'Isle sur la Sorgue
Here are my recommendations of restaurants in the Luberon and l'Isle sur la Sorgue region. The area is well served with restaurants, yet even during the shoulder season I advise you to make reservations well in advance. This applies especially to those restaurants known for an outstanding quality/price relationship - they are much sought after by French and foreign visitors alike. This list is by no means comprehensive - there are other well known and respected restaurants in the area, I either don't know about them or have not gotten to it.
Restaurants in France are generally open from 12:00 – 2:00 PM for lunch and 7:00 – 9:00 PM for dinner (best time to arrive: 7:30 - 8:00 PM). As most restaurants are closed on at least 1 day a week it is advisable to phone in advance in any case (the phone numbers listed below are local calls but in France you always need to dial the full number).
Reservations are a must during vacation times. Restaurants are listed by location in alphabetical order. Prices are approximate, the standard lunch menu is mentioned first, three course dinner last, wines not included.
La Closerie, Ansouis, small, cozy restaurant serving outstanding innovative Provençal dishes. A favourite of ours and many other visitors - reserve well in advance. Prices: Euro 20 - 35. Boulevard des Platanes, Ansouis, Tel: 04 90 09 90 54
Le Chêne, Apt, located outside Apt in a bastide, this oldtimer is a sure bet: Excellent traditional Provençal cuisine freshly prepared with a good choice of wines. Prices: Euro 45 - 85. Rt. N 100, 84400 Apt, Tel: 04 90 04 84 64
Le Plantane, Apt, charming restaurant with a nice terrace for outside dining. Good regional cuisine - reasonably priced creative lunches. Prices Euro 15 - 35. 13 Place Jules Ferry, 84400 Apt, Tel: 04 90 04 74 36.
Bastide de Capelongue, Bonnieux, excellent and creative Provençal cuisine as good as it gets in the Luberon. But take your credit card or lots of cash. Prices: Euro 55 - 125, Bonnieux, Rt.de Lourmarin, Tel: 04 90 75 89 78
Le Fournil, Bonnieux, one of our favorites in the Luberon, creative food, rustic and refined at the same time at still acceptable prices. Prices: Euro 25 - 40, 5, Place Carnot, Bonnieux, Tel: 04 09 75 83 62
Le Café des Poètes, Cabrières d'Avignon, new owner but the food remains excellent in this intimate restaurant with a very agreeable decore. Nicely prepared dishes from local produce and a good wine list. Prices: Euro 30 - 55. Cours Jean Giono, 84220 Cabrières d'Avignon, Tel: 04 32 52 13 60
La Ferme de la Huppe, Gordes (Les Pourquiers), named after the hoopoe bird, this lovelingly restored 18th century farmhouse is a charming country hotel and restaurant. Delightful and creative cuisine served on the outside terrace or the wood beamed dining room. Very popular with many Gordes residents and visitors. Prices: Euro 18 -40. Les Pourquiers, 84220 Gordes, Tel: 04 90 72 12 25.
L'Estellan, Gordes (Les Imberts), a country setting, nice outside terrace, near Gordes. Pleasant Provençal cooking with emphasis on fish dishes. Prices: Euro 35 - 55. Rte. de Gordes, Les Imberts, 84220 Gordes, Tel : 04 90 72 04 90.
Le Mas Touteron, Gordes (Les Imberts), located in a restored farmhouse authentic Provençal cuisine is served here. Only fresh produce is used. Probably one of he best bets to eat well in Gordes at still acceptable prices. Prices: Euro 30 - 55. Chemin de Saint-Blaise, Les Imberts, 84220 Gordes, Tel: 04 90 72 00 16
Auberge de la Bartavelle, Goult, great food, the best restaurant in Goult. Prices: Euro 35 - 75. Goult, rue Cheval Blanc, Tel: 04 90 72 33 72
Cafe de la Poste, Goult, very popular, good light lunches, friendly service, great place to sit outside and wile away a hot midday. Prices: Euro 17 - Euro 35. Rue République, Goult, Tel: 04 90 72 23 23
Le Jardin du Quai, l'Isle sur la Sorgue, in a renovated old mansion across from the train station, wonderful garden for outside dining. This newcomer has enriched the dining scene in l'Isle sur la Sorgue by at least 100%. Chef Daniel Hebet, formerly the chef at Hotel la Mirande in Avignon, limits the menu to few but freshly prepared creative dishes. Try the excellent pastries. Prices: Euro 30 - 60. Le Jardin du Quai, 91 avenue Julien Guigue, L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Tel: 04 90 20 14 98
Le Mas de Cure Bourse, l'Isle sur la Sorgue, outside town and a bit difficult to find (follow the signs to Velorgues), the restaurant of this country hotel is well established with its inventive Provençal cuisine. Superb. Prices: 30 -55. Rte. de Caumont, 84800 l'Isle sur la Sorgue, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 38 16 58
l'Oustau de l'Isle, l'Isle sur la Sorgue, chef Sylvain Bourlet established his own restaurant in 1997. He offers an exciting menu, a bit different from the traditional Provençal cuisine but still very country. Located in an old farmhouse with shaded terrace. 147 Chemin du Bosquet, 84800 l'Isle sur la Sorgue, Tel: 04 90 20 81 36.
La Prévôté, l'Isle sur la Sorgue, located in the historic town center in a former Ursuline convent. One of the best addresses in l'Isle sur la Sorgue (also a B&B). Serious Provençal cuisine in a charming dining environment inside and in the courtyard. 4 Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau, 84800 L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Tel: 04 90 38 57 29.
Le Vivier, l'Isle sur la Sorgue, located in a modern building next to the river Sorgue. This is not a romantic setting, but the nice terrace and excellent service compensate. Change in ownership brought about a change in menu. The new owners, Patrick and Celine Fischnaller, have developed a more eclectic menu beyond the traditional cuisine of the Provence. Patrick, originally from the Trentino-Alto Adige region in Italy, worked as a chef in London for 14 years. We need to check this one out again. Prices: Euro 25 - 35. Acticentre, 800 cours Fernande Peyre, 84800 l'Isle sur la Sorgue, Tel: 04 90 38 52 80 (located near the roundabout North of the river Sorgue, across the Eastern tip of the old town where the Sorgue divides into two).
Le Moulin de Lourmarin, Lourmarin, on par with Bastide de Capelonge in Bonnieux but less expensive. Simply one of the best places to experience Provençal food in the Luberon. Everything is superb, nothing more needs to be said. Prices: Euro 30 - 55. Rue du Temple, 84160 Lourmarin, Tel: 04 90 68 06 69
La Bastide de Marie, Menerbes, a small boutique hotel near Menerbes. Beautiful and quiet country setting. They concentrate on few dishes, which change daily, all freshly prepared whatever is in season. Outside seating on a nice terrace. Love this place, friendly service, excellent food. Prices: Euro 35 - 65. Limited availability for non-hotel guests. Route de Bonnieux, Quartier de la Verrerie, Menerbes, Tel: 04 90 72 30 20
Restaurant David, Roussillon, great location on the Place de la Poste with a wonderful terrace overlooking the ochre cliffs. Well known and highly appreciated restaurant serving excellent Provençal cuisine - great place for outdoor dining. Prices: Euro 35 - 75. Rte. Roussillon, Place de la Poste, Tel: 04 90 70 14 55
Brasserie L'Ocrier, Roussillon, very busy serving down to earth food at still reasonable prices. Try to get a reservation on the small 1st floor balcony overlooking the Place de la Poste. Prices: Euro 15 - 30, Roussillon, Sentier des Ocres, Tel: 04 90 05 79 53
Le Bistrot de Roussillon, Roussillon, good value, creative Provençal cuisine, the menu is limited to four or five main dishes, which change daily. Prices: Euro 20 - 45, Roussillon, Place de la Mairie, Tel:04 90 05 74 45
Auberge du Presbytère, Saignon, wonderful setting right in the middle of one of our favorite villages of the Luberon. Outside dining on a shaded terrace. Good Provençal cuisine nicely prepared. You will love it. Place de la Fontaine, 84400 Saignon, Tel: 04 90 74 11 50
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