Marseille
Nestled within a welcoming Egyptian cultural centre, this cheery restaurant serves dishes of thick Egyptian flatbread, chunky hummus, creamy aubergine…
Must-see restaurants in Provence
Marseille
This award-winning artisan chocolatier uses olive oil to achieve an otherworldly creaminess in its products. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself…
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
For just-like-mama-made-it French cuisine, it’s worth the 5km drive from Forcalquier to this unapologetically old-school bistro in Niozelles. You’ll need…
The Luberon
You won’t get a more honest Provençal lunch than at Maurice Leporati’s roadside inn, where the feast always starts with wicker trays filled with hors d…
The Luberon
What fun this place is: an offbeat French restaurant that's stocked to the gunwales with the owners' bric-a-brac finds, from vintage movie posters,…
Bouches-du-Rhône
As Gallic as a tricolor Citröen 2CV, this long-established address is run by the Ricci family, also proprietors of Gus and Da Peppe. With its burnished…
Bouches-du-Rhône
You can't really go too far wrong at the Angels' Kitchen – at least if you're looking for solid, no-nonsense Provençal cooking just like grande-mère would…
Cassis
Run by brothers Laurent and Eric, this fish shop-cum-seafood restaurant has been a fixture on the Cassis waterfront for decades, and it shows no sign of…
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
This Provençal restaurant at the Ecomusée l’Olivier near Volx is only open for lunch, but it's well worth a detour (and if you're visiting the museum it's…
The Luberon
Run by top chef Thomas Gallardo, the contemporary feel of this renowned 'semi-gastronomic' restaurant belies its country setting. Funky globe bulbs,…
Aix-en-Provence
Locals pack into the tiny vaulted dining room of this hard-to-find place for the superb-value lunch menus. All the bistro boxes are ticked: red-and-white…
Cassis
With its open-sided fireplace and pretty, art-filled dining room, this small restaurant makes a good refuge from the harbour-side hustle. It also provides…
The Luberon
Those short of time or money in Gordes should follow the locals downhill along rue Baptistin Picca to this pocket-sized boulangerie (bakery), which has…
Avignon
Set on one of Avignon's most happening plane-tree-shaded squares, this vintage cafe styled like a 1950s grocery is a charming spot to hang out and people…
Marseille
Vintage furniture, latticed blinds, old books and antique soft drink bottles lend a retro air to this style-conscious, 1950s-styled jazz comptoir (counter…
Parc National du Mercantour
What a spot this lovely lakeside inn has, plonked at 2220m by the water's edge, with mountains on all sides. In situ for more than a century, it's a…
Arles
You won't find a much better lunch venue than this convivial canteen within the emergent cultural centre Fondation Luma. The food is light and colourful,…
Vaucluse
It's worth getting lost to find this 18th-century farmhouse-hotel, which has earned its reputation as a laudable Provençal restaurant. Menus feature…
Parc National du Mercantour
A smart modern restaurant-with-rooms in the quiet village of Villars-Colmars, perfect for a lunch or dinner stop, with mountain specialities such as…
Bouches-du-Rhône
Particularly perfect on sultry summer nights, this upbeat, colourful cafe has vintage tables filling one corner of a delightful car-free square in the old…
The Luberon
Located at the lovely Bastide du Jas B&B, this refined restaurant has proved popular both with the locals and the foodie guides (it recently received a…
Camargue
The charismatic couple who run this unpretentious address, with cartwheels for tables, cook up the catch of the day à la plancha (grilled) for eight…
The Luberon
In the middle of town next to the fountain, ‘The Oven’ is another of Bonnieux’ most consistent tables. There’s a choice of settings: the swish interior …
Camargue
A seasonal regular, this beach restaurant shaded by a reed pergola provides the perfect lookout to the Plage Ouest and the Mediterranean beyond. Lounge at…
Marseille
On the top floor of Marseille’s flagship museum, MuCEM, Michelin-starred chef Gérald Passedat cooks up exquisite French fare alongside big blue views of…
Marseille
Occupying a magical spot on the little harbour of Vallon des Auffes, this old favourite has a split-level layout and picture windows overlooking the boats…
Marseille
This is no ordinary all-you-can-eat: a sleek modern dining room spreads around a buffet overflowing with Italian, Spanish and (above all) Provençal…
Avignon
A typical French bistro, Fou de Fafa's strength lies in simplicity – fresh ingredients, bright flavours, convivial surroundings (and a notably early…
Avignon
There's one standout reason to lunch at this homey restaurant, and that's the delightful courtyard garden, shaded by sails, tall bamboo and climbing…
Vaucluse
After a spot of weekend browsing in the antique markets, this convivial cafe is where everyone heads for a no-fuss lunch packed with French flavours. The…
Aix-en-Provence
Places come and go around the Forum des Cardeurs, but ‘The Thingy’ is an enduring, cheap and cheerful favourite, with flowery PVC tablecloths, a vast…
Arles
Eighteenth-century stone walls, a wooden bar, a fireplace, friendly staff and French/Provençal food that's not afraid to play with Asian ingredients like…
Camargue
If you've developed a desire to get closer to the Camargue's bulls by eating them, then head to the Grange, an ode to Camargue's gardians, with bull…
Avignon
Weird name; great food. This back-alley bistro near place Crillon is a strong local's tip. It's very French, but borrows flavours and spices freely:…
Marseille
This classy Italian trattoria on the buzzy cours Julien is perennially popular. All the pasta here is homemade, and ingredients are sourced from Italy…
The Luberon
Lunch with a view? Mais oui – and what a view. On the village's edge, this popular bistro boasts a grandstand, tree-shaded terrace overlooking classic…
Arles
Well-stuffed sandwiches – made to order, frotté à l'ail (rubbed with garlic) and dripping with silken AOC Vallée des Baux olive oil – lure the crowds to…
Marseille
Family photos and veteran service staff hint at the longevity of this Le Panier favourite, known for authentic, hand-thrown pizza, topped with homemade…
Vaucluse
The best of the roll-call of bistros lining the canals, this quintessentially French bistro is a perfect place for lunch, complete with the checked…
Marseille
This long-standing classic in a 1940s seaside hotel with Mediterranean views has plenty of atmosphere, however kitschy. Although this is one of the most…
