Restaurants: Avignon and Environs
Other Intramuros Locations
AOC A pleasant wine bar tucked away in a small corner of the pedestrian zone. Wine is served by the glass or bottle and one can nibble on wine-friendly small plates, like charcuterie, cheese, tartines and roasted veggies. Open until late, a good way to spend an evening. Prices: €15-30. 5 Rue Tremoulet, 84000 Avignon Tel: +33 (0)4 90 25 21 04
Le Chat Touilleur, literally the 'stiring cat', a small place next to the Royal Tatoo Studio on on Rue Henri Fabre. Friendly ambiance, an unpretentious but tasty cuisine at reasonable prices. A place where locals go. Prices: €10-23. 9 Rue Henri Fabre, 84000 Avignon. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 85 15 43
La Cuisine Du Dimanche, the 'Sunday Kitchen', a comfortable place, friendly and unpretentious. We go there to have a good meal with a nice bottle of wine without overdrawing our account. Prices: €12-25. 31 Rue Bonneterie, 84000 Avignon. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 82 99 10
Extramuros On the ring road which goes around the medieval walls we found this place on the ground floor of an office building. Inside modern decor with a few pieces of 'baroque' nostalgia. A bistro type menu of very good quality geared towards the local business community and the court crowd (the courts are in the vicinity). Prices: €19-28. 44 Boulevard Saint Michel, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 32 74 22 22
Numéro 75 In a 19th century grand mansion once belonging to Jules Pernot of Pastis fame. Contemporary furnished dining room and garden shaded by centenary trees. Stylish cooked dishes under the baton of Chef Brunel, who also owns Brunel in Avignon. We liked it a lot - the food, the setting, the atmosphere. In our opinion one of the top places in Avignon. Prices: €26-33. 75, Rue Guillaume Puy, 84000 Avignon Tel: +33 (0)4 90 27 16 00
Rue Galante Area
Rue Galante, running parallel (East) to Rue de la Republique, has an array of reasonably priced ethnic restaurants. Great place for a change of cuisine or if you just want a small bite.
Tapalocas on 15 Rue Galante, a rowdy bodega de tapas, full of students and anyone who likes a totally informal place for a change. Great food, drinks and lively company. Efficient service but you might have to stand in a pub like atmosphere, sometimes even outside. Local artists show their works hoping for a breakthrough. Prices: €9 for 3 tapas, a glass of wine and a small coffee. 15 Rue Galante, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 82 56 84.
Tanoshii on 8 Rue Galante, opened in 2005 to the delight of Anglo expats living in Avignon craving for good Japanese food like in London or New York. Good sushi and do it yourself grilled dishes. Friendly service, great place to have in Avignon. Prices: €15-30. 8 Rue Galante, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 85 59 43.
Homesick?
Fou de Fafa, perhaps named after the bizarre 'Foux de Fafa' song by the Flight of the Conchords, is where many English speaking visitors and Anglo expats meet. The English couple running this small place provide solid French food and a great ambiance at reasonable prices. This combination makes it worthwhile to go there once in a while. Prices: €15-30. 17 Rue des Trois Faucons, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 32 76 35 13
Le Simple Simon, "ye olde tea shoppe" in Avignon complete with Victorian oak beams, floral interior and a huge collection of Britobilia. Admire the Victorian sketch of "A Day in Brighton", a picture of the Queen and the old grandfather clock. Located on Rue Petite Fusterie (runs parallel to Rue Racine), it has been an institution for expats since the 70s, when two British ladies decided it was about time to show the French how to make a decent cup of tea and cakes the old fashioned way. They have passed the baton to a younger generation. Prices: €15-20 for a light lunch. 26 Rue de la Petite Fusterie, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 86 62 70.
A stone's throw from Avignon Intramuros:
Le Jardin des Frênes Chef Hervé Pachoud, in charge of this hotel's restaurant since October 2010, does not leave anything to chance. We enjoy his elegant and tasty cuisine from the South of France. Outside dining in the garden on a summer night is a treat. Worthwhile the short trip from Avignon to Montfavet. Prices: €24-35. 645 Avenue des Vertes Rives, 84140 Avignon-Montfavet. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 31 17 93
Auberge de Noves A country manor set in 20 acres of manicured grounds about 12 km south of Avignon between the towns of Noves and Châteaurenard. Boutique hotel with gourmet restaurant. Provençal cuisine at its best and a wine cellar which is unequalled in the region. Dreamlike dining on the terrace or indoors. Prices: €35-50. Domaine de Devès, Rte.D28, 13550 Noves. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 24 28 28
Le Prieuré New hotel owners, new chef - what a difference! Chef Fabien Fage, a disciple of Bernard Loiseau and Alain Ducasse, has developed his own style based on the cuisine of the Provence and Languedoc. This has earned him a Michelin star in 2011. Elegant dining in this former priory, top-notch service. Prices: €35-68. 7 Place du Chapitre,30400 Villeneuve lez Avignon, Tel:+33 (0)4 90 15 90 15
A long stone's throw from Avignon:
Entre Vigne et Garrigue, Pujaut A rare find: A Michelin star restaurant without the bling-bling and ceremony. Chef Serge Chenet creates delicious dishes elevating the regional cuisine to the next level. The lovingly restored 17th century farmhouse is located 15km northwest of Avignon and 16 km southwest of Châteauneuf du Pape. Prices: €28-39. Mas Saint Bruno, Saint-Bruno Est, 30131 Pujaut Tel: +33 (0)4 90 95 20 29
L'Huitre et la Vigne Tapas and seafood place in the midst of the Côtes du Rhône vineyards. Who's brilliant idea was that? Anne Sophie of course! A self-taught chef. Fresh seafood platters, tapas like dishes and rosé du maison. Dinner only and reservations are a must. She's developed quite a following. Prices: €10-35 (tapas type dishes). Route D792, Peyre Plantade, 30210 Saint Hilaire d'Ozilhan. Tel:+33 (0)6 08 05 63 57
