3 Best Restaurants in Périgueux, The Dordogne

No detective work is needed to find this popular spot—just follow the trail of local gourmands who make a beeline to this classic Périgord restaurant for its delicious cuisine and romantic ambience. Set in Périgeux's old town, you'll dine under vaulted stone walls almost as old as the Saint-Front cathedral a few steps away. Be sure to order the house-made foie gras served with passion fruit confiture or roasted duck breast with caramelized apples and cassis-"perfumed" spring vegetables. Everything here is homemade and seasonal so the menu changes frequently. Be sure to reserve ahead.

Picturesquely set in the old town, near the cathedral, this chic Michelin-starred restaurant is a big draw for foodies from near and far. Though unanimously lauded as one of the area's best restaurants, L'Essentiel won't give you an ounce of attitude, just excellent, market-fresh cuisine emphasizing the local delicacies—truffles, asparagus, duck, foie gras, chestnuts, and more—served with a smile. Though prices are reasonable for this superior quality, especially the fixed price menus at lunch and dinner.

Chef Richard Lequet creates a cuisine of rare refinement, served in the sleek contemporary dining room of his eponymous hotel or on a spacious terrace in the heart of a wooded park. Trained in top kitchens around France, Lequet was the youngest chef in Limoges to be awarded a Michelin star. It’s a delight to go from dinner to your room, but even if you’re not a hotel guest, a meal here is a must when visiting the region.