Fodor's Expert Review L'Atelier

A hot restaurant in the Quartier Saint-Charles, a few steps from the Grande Plage, is the dernier cri in a town surrounded by, but not known for, great cuisine. Meals are stunningly presented in a setting that is at once classic and contemporary—expect dishes like tuna tartare et croustillant (raw and crunchy) with mustard sauce, and specialties like pigeonneau (young pigeon). The wine list includes selections from Bordeaux and Spain's Ribera de Duero,. The lunch menu (served Thursday and Friday in summer) is one of the best bargains in Biarritz. But culinary experimentation is the catchword here, so traditionalists may prefer the crêpes and pizza elsewhere.