3 Best Restaurants in Rambouillet, Side Trips from Paris

Three km (2 miles) from Rambouillet near the small town of Gazeran, this ivy-clad 18th-century home is a romantic setting for an elegant gastronomic meal. Dishes like roasted cod in beef reduction with black-truffle risotto or fillet of venison with parsnip mousse are made with the freshest ingredients—many from the kitchen garden—and can be followed by a copious cheese plate or tempting seasonal desserts. A beautiful garden terrace is delightful in the summer. Three-course prix-fixe menus at both lunch and dinner are an excellent value.

With a roaring fire in winter and an outdoor terrace in summer, this quaint, country-style restaurant specializes in the fruits of the sea. Traditional dishes—like brioche-enrobed escargot with Roquefort sauce, plump seafood sausage, a hearty soupe de poisson (fish soup), and a heaping seafood platter—are served in a wood-beamed dining room.

A wine shop, gourmet take-out, and restaurant all in one, you can enjoy your meal in the bright, stylish restaurant or choose from a variety of homemade takeout dishes and desserts for a picnic lunch on the beautiful château grounds a five-minute walk away. On the menu expect dishes like Breton oysters on the half shell, tender suprême de volaille, pumpkin vélouté, and roasted veggie flatbread. The restaurant uses only regional products and locally grown vegetables.