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France

Recommended restaurants in Provence and the Cote d'Azur

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Aix-en-Provence Brasserie les Deux Garcons, 53 cours Mirabeau This restaurant with tables right on cours Mirabeau was founded in 1792. Cocteau was a regular, as were Zola and Cezanne. Unfortunately, the food is not as compelling as the history. Phone:   04.42.26.00.51 Credit cards accepted:   MC, V Chez Maxime, 12 place Ramus This is the place in Aix for sidewalk dining. On a pedestrian-only street, this bistro offers grilled meats and fish from a wood-burning oven and a great wine list. Phone:   04.42.26.28.51 Hours:   Tuesday through Saturday noon to 2PM and 8PM to 11PM; also Monday nights; closed for two weeks in January Credit cards accepted:   MC, V Main Courses From:   13EUR Fixed Price Menu From:   20EUR Le Bistro Latin, 18 rue de la Couronne Whether you dine upstairs or down, you'll enjoy some of Aix's best bistro fare at this unpretentious little café. Phone:   04.42.38.22.88 Hours:   Tuesday through Saturday noon to 2PM and Monday through Saturday 7PM to 10:30PM Credit cards accepted:   MC, V Fixed Price Menu From:   19EUR Trattoria Chez Antoine Cote Cour, 19 rue Mirabeau Set in an 18th-century townhouse, this lively trattoria has Italian specialties such as osso buco and nice pastas. Phone:   04.42.93.12.51 Hours:   Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 2:30PM and Monday through Saturday from 7:30PM to midnight Credit cards accepted:   DC, MC, V Main Courses From:   10EUR

Antibes La Bonne Auberge, Quartier de Bargue, rte. N7, 2 1/2 miles from Antibes This restaurant has been well known on the Cote d'Azur for more than a quarter of a century. Although it's lost a little of its luster, it can still be counted on for a very good meal. Phone:   04.93.33.36.65 Hours:   Tuesday through Sunday noon to 2PM and 7PM to 10PM; closed from mid-November to mid-December Credit cards accepted:   MC, V Main Courses From:   19EUR Fixed Price Menu From:   31EUR La Taverne du Saffranier, Place du Saffranier Those who don't want to spend an arm and a leg can get very solid Provencal cooking at this lively bistro. As the name implies, it's an informal place with lots of fresh seafood. Phone:   04.93.34.80.50 Hours:   Tuesday through Sunday noon to 12:30PM and 7PM to 10:30PM Credit cards accepted:   No Main Courses From:   8EUR Fixed Price Menu From:   9EUR Le Brulot, 3 rue Frédéric Isnard Everything that comes out of the wood-burning oven at this busy brasserie is delicious. And prices are very good. You can't miss with the fresh seafood. Phone:   04.93.34.17.76 Hours:   Closed Sundays; no lunch on Mondays; closed from late December to early January Credit cards accepted:   MC, V

Arles La Vitamine, 16 rue du Docteur Fanton Vegetarians, or those seeking pasta and fresh salads, will enjoy this casual, friendly restaurant. Phone:   04.90.93.77.36 Credit cards accepted:   MC, V Le Vaccares, Place du Forum, 9 rue Favorin Wonderful food, an outdoor terrace on the main square, and a great wine list. What more can you ask? Phone:   04.90.96.06.27 Reservations Required Hours:   Tuesday through Saturday noon to 2PM and 7:30PM to 9:30PM; Sundays noon to 2PM. Closed January 15 to February 15 and Sundays in July and August Credit cards accepted:   AE, MC, V Main Courses From:   15EUR Fixed Course Menu From:   23EUR Restaurant Lou Marques, 9 bd. Des Lices, 13631 Dine in the lovely dining room or on the terrace at this restaurant in the Hotel Jules Cesar. Food is fresh and beautifully prepared and presented. Phone:   04.90.93.43.20 Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V Fixed Price Menu From:   32EUR The Brasserie, In the Hotel Nord-Pinus, Place du Forum If you're not staying at this historic hotel that anchors the lively Place du Forum, you should at least have dinner in its stylish bistro. Tons of atmosphere Phone:   04.90.93.44.44 Credit cards accepted:   AE, MC, V

Avignon Brunel, 46 rue de la Balance Provencal cooking reaches new heights here. Hearty, yet refined, it's better than most. Try the duck or the John Dory. Phone:   04.90.85.24.83 Hours:   Tuesday through Saturday noon to 1:30PM and 7:30PM to 9:30PM Credit cards accepted:   MC, V Main Courses From:   22EUR Fixed Price Menu From:   26EUR Christian Étienne, 10 rue Mons In a stone house dating from 1180, this restaurant is helmed by one of Avignon's top chefs. The dining room – which features 15th-century frescoes – is lovely, and the food is fantastic. Phone:   04.90.86.16.50 Hours:   Tuesday through Saturday noon to 1:30PM and 7:30PM to 9:30PM; Saturdays 8PM to 10:30PM; longer hours in July Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V Main Courses From:   22EUR Fixed Price Menu From:   26EUR Hiely-Luculles, 5 rue de la Republique This one-star restaurant serves outstanding food, imaginatively prepared. The prix fixe menu is an excellent value. Phone:   04.90.86.17.07 Hours:   Wednesday through Sunday noon to 1:30PM and Tuesday through Sunday 7:30PM to 9:30PM; closed for two weeks in January and July Credit cards accepted:   MC, V Fixed Price Menu From:   25EUR La Cuisine de Reine, 83 rue Joseph-Vernet This hip and lively bistro is in Les Cloitre des Arts gallery. Stylish patrons and nouvelle cuisine. Phone:   04.90.85.99.04 Hours:   Closed Sundays and Monday nights Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V La Fourchette, 7 rue Racine You can dine in a light and airy dining room, or one with oak beams. Good food that's moderately priced. Phone:   04.90.85.20.93 Hours:   Monday through Friday noon to 2PM and 7:30PM to 9:30PM; closed for most of August Credit cards accepted:   MC, V Fixed Price Menu From:   17EUR Le Grand Café, in La Manutention, 4 rue des Escaliers Ste-Anne Progressive cooking and hip patrons in an industrial factory setting. If you're tired of Provencal dishes, you'll find something different here. Phone:   04.90.86.86.77 Hours:   Closed Mondays Credit cards accepted:   MC, V

Bonnieux Le Fournil, 5 Place Carnot Romantically ensconced in a torch-lit grotto, this restaurant offers very good Provencal cuisine in unusual surroundings. Phone:   04.90.75.83.62 Hours:   Closed Mondays; no lunch on Saturdays in July and August; closed most of the winter. Credit cards accepted:   MC, V

Cannes Bouchon d'Objectif, 10 rue Constantine For good Provencal cooking that won't break the bank, this little bistro fits the bill nicely. Phone:   04.93.99.21.76 Hours:   Closed Mondays Credit cards accepted:   AE, MC, V La Belle Otero, 7th floor of the Carlton Hotel, 58 bd. De la Croisette Located next to the Carlton's casino, this formal restaurant is one of the best – and most expensive – in town. Phone:   04.93.06.40.06 Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V La Palme d'Or, in the Hotel Martinez, 73 bd. De la Croisette The lovely art deco dining room has views of the pool and sea beyond. Service is professional. And the food is some of the best in town. Phone:   04.92.98.74.14 Reservations required Hours:   Tuesday through Sunday 12:30PM to 2PM and 7:30PM to 10:30PM; closed Tuesday off season Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V Main Courses From:   28EUR Fixed Price Menu From:   54EUR Montagard, 6 rue Marechal Joffre What a find for vegetarians and others looking for food that's fresh, light, and completely original. Great value for money too. Phone:   04.93.39.98.38 Hours:   Closed Sundays; no lunch on Mondays Credit cards accepted:   MC, V Fixed Price Menu From:   23EUR

Gordes Comptoir du Victuailler, Place du Chateau If you'd like to dine in town, this atmospheric restaurant across from the Chateau is very good – and expensive. Phone:   04.90.72.01.31 Reservations required Hours:   Closed Wednesdays and from November through Easter; no dinner served on Tuesdays. Credit cards accepted:   MC, V Ferme de la Huppe, Le Pourquiers, R156 2 miles east of Gordes This lovely stone farmhouse inn outside of town has a great restaurant. It's furnished with antiques, and the oak beams, tile floors, and stone walls add to the appeal. Dine in or on the terrace overlooking the pool. Phone:   04.90.72.12.25 Reservations required Hours:   Closed Thursdays; Closed January through March Credit cards accepted:   MC, V

Grasse Arnaud, off Place aux Aires This bistro offers Provencal cooking at reasonable prices. Phone:   04.93.36.44.88 Credit cards accepted:   MC, V La Bastide St-Antoine, 48 av. Henri-Dunant In an 18th-century farmhouse on seven acres, this restaurant is one of the most critically praised in the area. Great food, in lovely surroundings. Phone:   04.93.70.94.94 Hours:   From noon to 2PM and 8PM to 10:30PM daily Credit cards accepted:   AE, MC, V Main Courses From:   13EUR Fixed Price Menu From:   84EUR

Isle-sur-la-Sorgue La Prévoté, 4 rue J. J.-Rousseau The food is everything you'd expect at a Michelin-starred restaurant. If you can, dine in the lovely courtyard. Phone:   04.90.38.57.29 Reservations required Hours:   Closed Sundays and Mondays from October through June Credit cards accepted:   Fixed Price Menu From:   21EUR

Les Baux de Provence L'Oustau de Beumaniere The stone dining room of this Relais & Chateaux hotel offers memorable lamb and fantastic desserts in a very civilized atmosphere. Phone:   04.90.54.33.07 Reservations required Hours:   Noon to 3PM and 7:30PM to midnight daily; closed Wednesday and Thursday off season Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V Fixed Price Menu From:   75EUR

Monte Carlo (Monaco) Le Texan, 4 rue SuFRFen-Reymond Tex-Mex, ribs, pizza, and great margaritas. When you can't face another bouillabaisse, this is the just the ticket. Phone:   93.30.34.54 Hours:   Noon to midnight daily Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V Main Courses From:   17EUR Rampoldi, 3 av. des Spelugues Located next to the Casino Gardens, this popular Italian restaurant has been around since the 1950s. There are also French items on the menu and the seafood is usually a good bet. Phone:   93.30.70.65 Hours:   12:15PM to 2:30PM and 7:30PM to 11:30PM daily Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V Main Courses From:   19EUR Stars and Bars, 6 quai Antoine-1er Most would agree that the Americanization of the world has proven a mixed blessing at best. But after several weeks out of the country, even the most sophisticated of Yanks can crave a little home cooking. You'll find it at this American-style sports bar. Phone:   93.50.95.95 Hours:   Tuesday through Sunday 11AM to midnight Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V Main Courses From:   10EUR

Moustiers-Ste-Marie La Bastide de Moustiers, Chemin de Quinson, 4360 Three-star chef Alain Ducasse has created this perfectly charming little inn with exemplary food, service, and surroundings. You can dine divinely in one of several rooms or on the lovely terrace. Phone:   33.04.92.70.47.47 Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V Fixed Price Menu From:   33EUR

Nice La Marenda, 4 rue Terrasse Something pretty good must be happening in the kitchen of a restaurant that doesn't have a phone and doesn't accept credit cards. It certainly is at La Marenda, the unpretentious little bistro that is arguably the best in Nice. Stop by earlier in the day to make reservations. Phone:   None. Reservations required Hours:   Monday through Friday noon to 2PM and 7PM to 9:30PM; Closed for two weeks in August, February, and late December Credit cards accepted:   No Fixed Price Menu From:   23EUR Le Safari, 1 cours Saleya The outdoor terrace overlooking the flower market is very popular here. This casual but stylish place serves a great bagna cauda and nice pastas. Phone:   04.93.80.18.44 Hours:   Noon to 2:30PM and 7PM to 11:30PM daily; closed Mondays in winter Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V Main Courses From:   13EUR Fixed Price Menu From:   23EUR L'Olivier, 3 place Garibaldi This charming spot offers very reasonable Provencal and Sicialian dishes in the heart of Old Nice. Phone:   04.93.26.89.09 Hours:   Noon to 2:30PM and 7:45PM to 10PM Thursday through Tuesday; closed for one week in August Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V Main Courses From:   8.50EUR

St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Le Sloop, Au Nouveau port This nautical restaurant overlooks the yachts in the harbor. It's less expensive than many in the area, but very good, particularly for fresh seafood. Phone:   04.93.01.48.63 Hours:   Thursday through Tuesday noon to 2PM and 7PM to 11PM; dinner on Wednesdays from 7PM to 9:30PM; closed Wednesdays off season; closed mid-November to mid-December Credit cards accepted:   AE, MC, V Main Courses From:   22EUR Fixed Price Menu From:   24EUR

St-Paul-de-Vence La Colombe d'Or, 1 place du Général-de-Gaulle This legendary restaurant has great views, a fantastic art collection, and a colorful history. The food isn't much to write home about, but chances are you won't be disappointed by the whole experience. Phone:   04.93.32.80.02 Reservations required Hours:   Noon to 10AM and 7PM to 10PM daily Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V Main Courses From:   15EUR

Vence Auberge des Seigneurs, Place du Friene With its copper pots, open fireplace, and 400-year-old stone walls, this cozy inn is also a great place to eat. Try spit-roasted anything. Phone:   04.93.58.04.24 Credit cards accepted:   AE, DC, MC, V Fixed Price Menu From:   25EUR

Villefranche-sur-Mer La Mere Germaine, Quai Courbet Right on the waterfront, this atmospheric restaurant has been here since the 1930s. The bouillabaisse is one of the best in the Riviera. Phone:   04.93.01.71.39 Hours:   Noon to 2:30PM and 7PM to 10PM daily; closed late November to late December Credit cards accepted:   AE, MC, V Main Courses From:   22EUR Fixed Price Menu From:   30EUR La Trinquette, Port de la Darse Seafood and bouillabaisse are the specialties at this restaurant near the harbor. It's less expensive than many in town and very enjoyable. Phone:   04.93.01.71.41 Hours:   Thursday through Tuesday noon to 2:15PM and 7PM to 10PM; closed December through January Credit cards accepted:   No Main Courses From:   7.60EUR Fixed Price Menu From:   16EUR