Restaurants: Avignon and Environs
Avignon, one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, is undergoing a new boom in excellent restaurants and wine bars. It's best to park the car and walk the historic town center, Avignon Intramuros, surrounded by medieval walls from Papal times. We have organized our restaurant picks keeping the "walking" in mind:
Rue St.Agricol, Rue Joseph Vernet and Place Crillon:
Our favorite shopping streets in Avignon are Rue Saint Agricol and Rue Joseph Vernet. From Avignon's main street, Rue de la République turn left into Rue Saint Agricol and then left again into Rue Joseph Vernet. You can study the menu of all the restaurants we recommend and decide for yourself.
Les 5 sens is located in an inner courtyard called Place Plaisance (near No.18 Joseph Vernet). Appealing minimalist oriental decor. Thierry Baucher, a renown chef cuisinier, offers a menu of dishes from Southern France, adding his own creative touch. A delicious dining experience. Prices: €15-40. Place Plaisance, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 85 26 51
La Cour d'Honneur Historical building, brilliantly restored with one of the best courtyards in Avignon, contrasts with the minimalist black furniture and contemporary lighting. Traditional cuisine of Southern France, freshly prepared and served with a smile. Prices: €16-30. 58, Rue Joseph Vernet, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 86 64 53
La Cour du Louvre on No.23 Rue St.Agricol, located in a quiet inner courtyard, in front of the 13th century chapel of Nôtre Dame de Bethléem (an old Knights Templar church). A good choice to savor Provençal cuisine freshly prepared. Prices: €15-30. 23 Rue St.Agricol, 84000 Avignon, Tel: 04 90 27 12 66.
L'Epice & Love, a small, cozy restaurant with a quirky look. Marie, the owner, chef and head waiter speaks fluent English and welcomes everyone like a friend. Small menu, each dish perfectly cooked. Incredible value, best deal in town - no wonder Marie has a faithfull following amongst locals and visitors. Prices: €15-30. 30 Rue des Lices, 8400 Avignon, Tel: 04 90 82 45 96.
L'Essentiel In a 17th century building close to St.Agricol church is a small restaurant with a zen garden. Good place for the delicious "fast food à la Française" tartines, the open sanwiches. They are served during the week at lunchtime. Dinner time is when this place really shines. Cooking from the South of France at its best and a short but well chosen wine list. The Chouviat's know how to run a place. Congratulations! Prices: €17-26. 2 Rue Petite Fusterie, 8400 Avignon. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 85 87 12
Piedoie This small restaurant is big with the three "Gs Rating": good food, good portions and good prices. Chef-owner Thierry Piedoie takes his cooking very seriously. No wonder the place is always brimming with people. Menu changes often, but quality and service are always constant. Prices: €15-30. 26, rue des 3 Faucons, 8400 Avignon. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 86 51 53
La Vieille Fontaine, this popular restaurant in the luxurious Hotel d'Europe on 12 Place Crillon enjoys a well earned reputation for traditional regional cuisine superbly cooked and presented. Cool shaded courtyard, the place for a summer's night dinner or the elegant dining room filled with antiques. Not a bargain but worth the splash. Prices: €35-55. 12 place Crillon, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 14 76 76.
Palais des Papes and Place d'Horloge Area
The Place d'Horloge has many brasseries and cafés; where you can wile away an afternoon watching the comings and goings and the beautiful people from Avignon and all over the world. If you want to have lunch or dinner here .... beware of the tourist traps! If the menu is encased in plastic and multilingual and the waiter is menacing you in English, German or Dutch to step in: don't! You can do some serious dining in the area, like on Rue Balance, Rue Racine and Rue St.Etienne, all of them close together.
Le Brigadier du Theatre on 17 Rue Racine right next to La Fourchette, an intimate small restaurant with lots of red decor, offering traditional Provençal cuisine, superb desserts and gentle service. Prices: €19-32. 17 Rue Racine, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 82 21 19.
Brunel on 46 Rue Balance, just East of the Palais des Papes, owned by enterprising Chef Robert Brunel, who also owns Numéro 75 in town (see below). Contemporary decor, nice terrace hotly sought after in the summer. Traditional Provençal dishes at reasonable prices - a favorite among the locals. Prices: €20-32. 46 Rue Balance, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 85 24 83.
Christian Étienne, a native of Avignon and much recognized authority in his field with a daily radio appearance. The 1-star Michelin restaurant is located near the Palais des Papes, a beautiful setting. He loves themed menus around a specific vegetable and creates dishes filled with the flavor of his native Provence. While many people love it our reviewers were not that impressed - not one of our top choices, too much hype! Prices: €35-65. 10 Rue de Mons, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 86 16 50.
La Fourchette on 17 Rue Racine, one of our favourites, but unfortunately they are closed Saturdays and Sundays. Classic French decor, which has not been changed for a long time. Much sought after place by Avignon residents looking for well prepared, uncomplicated Provençal food. You definitely need a reservation here - even for lunch. Small restaurant, pretty cramped. Prices: €30-40. 17 Rue Racine, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 85 20 93.
L'Isle Sonnante on 7 Rue Racine, a small, cozy restaurant, which offers serious Provençal cooking by Chef Boris Chevtchenko. This place is always busy. Small but well chosen Côtes du Rhône wine list. Gentle service. Prices: €30-55. 7 Rue Racine, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 82 56 01.
La Mirande, the restaurant of the Hotel Mirande in a 700 year old former residence of cardinals, an icon of tradition in Avignon. An elegant dining area with a lovely garden terrace. A selective menu, an extensive wine list and above all an inventive Provençale cuisine rewarded with 1 Michelin star. Expensive but in the grand tradition of French restaurants. Prices: €35-105. 4 Place Amirande, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 85 93 93.
Le Moutardier du Pape, once the place where the Papal mustard was made right in front of the Palais des Papes - what a location! The Perrin family does not bank on the location but on the quality of the cuisine. No excessive cooking, few sauces but savvy use of spices. Nice place to hang out and watch the comings and goings in front of the Palais des Papes. Prices: €23-48. 15 Place du Palais, 84000 Avignon, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 85 34 76.
Newground Chef Brice Zibolt brings well tested French Asian cuisine to Avignon. An explosion of flavors and original presentation at decent prices. A well chosen wine list, great service from a multi-lingual staff, paintings on the wall and above all a laid back ambience. A must if you want to explore a creative forward looking cuisine. Prices: €18-21. 29 Rue de la Saraillerie, 84000 Avignon. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 85 21 83
La Petit Peche on 13 Rue St.Etienne, around the corner of La Fourchette, a tiny little restaurant specializing in seafood, freshly prepared. It's an ok sort of place, not sure if we keep it on our list. We'll check it out again soon. Prices: €15-33. 13 Rue St.Etienne, 84000 Avignon, Tel: 04 90 86 02 46.
La Vache à Carreaux Cheese lovers and vegetarians will appreciate this small restaurant and bar au vin just off Place St.Pierre on a winding alley cut through the rock. Cheese dishes prepared in all variations, but fish dishes and salads are also on the blackboard. A great selection of wines, also available by the glass at decent prices. A very convivial place! Prices: €14-25. 14 Rue Peyrollerie , 8400 Avignon Tel: +33 (0)4 90 80 09 05
