3 Best Restaurants in Cahors, The Dordogne

This contemporary, centrally located restaurant draws gastronomes from near and far with its top-notch seasonal menu. Jean-François Dive's creative market-driven cuisine features artfully presented dishes with a knack for highlighting the natural goodness of vegetables—scallops simmered in celery and endive with chestnut puree and cèpe oil, or poached foie gras with a truffle-infused consommé of Jerusalem artichoke and fennel. The elegant, contemporary dining room is tranquil and relaxing, and the large outdoor terrace offers pleasant views of the square. If you're lucky enough to be here during truffle season, the all-truffle menu is well worth the splurge.

Exposed beams, stone walls, and rustic tomette tiles assure a picturesque dining experience at this 1846 stone grange set among pretty gardens 3 km (2 miles) outside Cahors. But the real spirit of the place lies in the menu of deeply traditional French favorites: pig's cheeks, truffle omelet, beef onglet (hanger steak), local lamb, and Rocamador cheeses, all accompanied by Cahors wine. Despite the soaring ceilings, it's a cozy place, made all the cozier by friendly service and happy diners from near and far.

Cahors's finest dining establishment is befittingly set within the medieval Château de Mercuès, where you'll enjoy stellar views of the Lot Valley as you tuck into your gourmet meal. Here traditional technique meets contemporary cuisine in the able hands of Michelin-starred chef Julien Poisot, who pays homage to the bounty of the Lot Valley in dishes highlighting local flavors like black truffles and cêpes, house-made foie gras, Quercy saffron and lamb, and, of course, the best Cahors Malbec wines. When the weather is nice, the terrace in the main courtyard is a lovely place to dine and take in the views.