It's been a while since I've eaten in Avignon.

Here is my backup checkpoint for restaurants.

http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/avignon-fr-france_70fr.html

There are many options in the Vaison la Romaine area which range from Michelin stars to casual.
Le Gran Prix in Roaix is a great option for fine dining and we have enjoyed two lunches there in the last couple of years. In the Haute Ville of VLR, I can suggest Bistro D'Ou--its reasonably priced and great food--we'll return.

We've spent 10 weeks in gites close to Vaison, 5 weeks close to Gordes, and 1 night in Avignon.

Gordes is quite small, and all the restaurants that are actually IN Gordes seem to be quite touristy & simple - except for La Bastide de Gordes, but I don't think La Bastide would be the "overlooked, not-fancy" place you are looking for. There are several restaurants "close" to Gordes, but they are either not within walking distance or don't fit your "overlooked, not-fancy" requirements.

My favorite restaurants in the Vaison area are not actually in Vaison. We did find one restaurant IN Vaison that we liked - le Brin d'Olivier. We've dined there twice.

Stu Dudley

>>Le Gran Prix in Roaix is a great option<,

I interpreted your request to be for restaurants IN these three towns. If you are willing to drive elsewhere, Le Grand Pre (note the spelling) is our favorite in the region - although it may not fit your not-fancy/lively requirements. We've dined there twice.

Stu Dudley

I spent a few days in Avignon last spring. I would suggest Fou de Fafa and NewGround. Both are local places and reasonably priced / not fancy. Fou de Fafa is more lively, while NewGround is a bit more off the beaten path.

Plse try L'Epice and Love in Avignon. Marie the owner is so sweet and her food is simply delicious!

It's been seven years but the last night of our trip we stayed in Villeneuve-les-Avignon and had dinner at La Maison nearby. It was all that we'd hoped for in dining during our time in France; roaring fire, intimate setting, a feeling of welcome but no hovering and the food was delicious.

This is the only website I can easily find for it: http://www.cityvox.fr/restaurants_villeneuve-les-avignon-30/la-maison_77319/Profil-Lieu

My favorite restaurant in Avignon is a small cafe, Ginette & Marcel, on Square Agricol Perdiguier. It's just off the beaten path and close to the train and bus stations. Unpretentious, inexpensive, simple good food & snacks on a small leafy square.

In and around Vaison la Romaine: the newly refurbished and now très chic Festival Café on Place Montfort, L'Epicurien (on the road to Crestet) and for Provençal cuisine: L'Auguet (right next to the tourist office).
In Avignon: Christian Etienne.

In Vaison la Romaine we had dinner at Le Tournesol (30, cours Taulignan). It is not a fancy place but the food was good and inexpensive. The chef and staff are a family team.

We haven't been in Avignon for 8 years but over the years from 1976 to 2004 on several occasions we dined at La Fourchette and loved it.

La Fourchette is definitely our favorite spot in Avignon. then the AOC (wine bar with great food) is also a good address (on Place Jerusalem)

In Gordes, l'Artegal is the best value (fresh food only !!!!) with a nice vieew of the castle

Vaison la Romaine : Try le Moulin à Huile !!