2 Best Restaurants in Orleans, The Loire Valley

At this petite 22-seat dining room conveniently set on a bustling pedestrian street between the cathedral and the river, everything converges to make your dining experience a truly memorable one. Beautiful presentation complements surprising pairings; think cod with celery risotto in a bergamot emulsion, delicious white asparagus gratin with comté cheese, or, for dessert, delectably moist carrot cake with candied carrots served with yuzu-infused salted caramel and savory ice cream. The restaurant really shines at dinnertime (be sure to reserve well ahead), but lunch is a great introduction to this splendid cuisine.

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.