4 Best Restaurants in The Loire Valley, France

There's plenty of good dining in Blois, but this cozy restaurant on a pedestrian street among Old Town's half-timbered buildings is a true gem. Not exactly undiscovered—it's a foodie favorite—it's small enough to remain true to its credo of local, seasonal, and original cuisine. The chef has relationships with several small local farmers, cheesemakers, and fisherman (the catch of the day is often fresh from the Loire River), which they use in dishes like escargots de Cour-Cheverny with local mushrooms and trout filet with beurre blanc and local green peas from Chambord. Desserts are heavenly, like the pavlova with local strawberries and rhubarb. Ask the chef for wine pairings, sourced from the Loire's top small estate grower-producers.

One taste of this exceptional cuisine and you'll understand why dining on Syrian food in the center of Orléans makes perfect sense. Besides a powerful backstory—the owners fled the Syrian war with not much more than their recipes stowed in their suitcase and their hopes of starting anew—the warm atmosphere and fresh, traditional fare make this one of the most popular spots in town, serving up delicious comfort foods like slow-braised lamb and eggplant makloubeh, muhammara (a delicious walnut and red pepper dip), or slow-cooked beef kebab. Be sure to save room for the ethereal desserts, some inflected with rose or orange blossom.

A hanging shop sign adorned with a painted unicorn beckons you to this pretty-as-a-picture 18th-century town-house restaurant on Fontevraud's idyllic Allée Ste-Catherine. Past a flowery garden and table-adorned terrace, tiny salons glow with happy folks feasting on classic French dishes: Loire salmon, boned quail, Triple Sec soufflé, and langoustine ravioli make most diners purr with contentment.

Located in the heart of medieval Chinon, at the foot of the royal fortress, this spot welcomes diners with a venerable 16th-century facade. A romantic Belle Époque interior continues the historic vibe, but the food—combining fish, game, and regional specialties—is prepared with a light, modern touch. Stéphane and Karine Charles's delicious dishes melt in your mouth without weighing you down. There are three different set menus to choose from; the best might be Le 30 (€46), which comes perfectly paired with local wines and cheeses.