Restaurants: Luberon & l'Isle sur la Sorgue
The Luberon is a very chic place. Those who can't afford it mumble something about it being too too bijou, too clichéd. Utter nonsense of course! It's a lovely place, where the famous perched villages with old stone houses and lots of nature in the Luberon mountains and the Plateau de Vaucluse attract many visitors year after year.
The area is well served with restaurants, yet even during the shoulder season we advise you to make reservations well in advance.
Here are our recommendations of restaurants in the Luberon and l'Isle sur la Sorgue region, listed by village in alphabetical order:
Ansouis
La Closerie This place belongs to the category "keep it as a secret". Superior cooking at great prices. A favorite among local discerning dinners. Great lunch value. Prices: €21-32. Boulevard des Platanes, Ansouis, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 09 90 54
Apt
Le Platane, a bit difficult to find in the historic center of Apt. Warm interior decor and lush gardens outside. Good regional cuisine, reasonably priced. Prices €15-35. 13 Place Jules Ferry, 84400 Apt, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 04 74 36.
Bonnieux
Bastide de Capelongue This 2-star Michelin restaurant remains consistently superior in every way. Chef Edouard Lobet's innovative cooking brings Haute Cuisine as close to art as it can come. Formal but friendly service which needs a bit of sharpening. All of this comes at a price, but what better place if you really want to splash.. Prices: €58-90, Rt. de Lourmarin, 84480 Bonnieux, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 75 89 78
Le Fournil, the "bake house", a charming restaurant tugged into the rock. Contemporary furnishings juxtaposed with the rough stone, a great setting. The food, Provençal pure with an extra twist, beautifully presented. This is the place to go, very popular, reservations a must. Prices: €21-40, 5, Place Carnot, 84480 Bonnieux, Tel: +33 (0)4 09 75 83 62
Cucuron
Restaurant de l'Horloge An authentic olive oil mill from the 14th century loaded with old stone charm. More than respectable Provençal fare turns up at this appealing restaurant. Good value, adorable setting. Prices: €18-28. 55, Rue Léonce Brieugne, 84160 Cucuron. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 77 12 74
La Petite Maison Lovely village house next to the pond in Cucuron, one of the villages where "A Good Year (Russell Crowe)" was filmed in 2006. Chef Eric Sapet's generous and creative cuisine has earned him 1 star from Michelin. Perfect in every way, from the delectable menu to the friendly service. We had a wonderful dining experience. One doesn't mind the bill afterwards. Reserve well in advance. Prices: €40-60. Place de l'Etang, 84160 Cucuron. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 68 21 99
Gordes
L'Estellan, a country setting, nice outside terrace, near Gordes. Refined French cuisine, tasty, well presented and good wine list. Service a bit on the slow side, but the setting is great and it's time to relax. Prices: €35-55. Rte. de Gordes, Les Imberts, 84220 Gordes, Tel : +33 (0)4 90 72 04 90.
Le Mas Touteron, located in a restored farmhouse authentic Provençal cuisine is served here. Only fresh produce is used. Probably one of the best bets to eat well in Gordes. Prices: €30-48. Chemin de Saint-Blaise, Les Imberts, 84220 Gordes, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 72 00 16
Goult
La Bartavelle An unassuming address in Goult where reservations are an absolute must. Charming village house with outside terrace for summer dinners. Chef Gérard Lefevre provides for insanely good "comfort food" from the South of France. Solid wine list, friendly service - a pleasure any time! Prices: €40 (dinner only). Rue du Cheval Blanc, 84220 Goult Tel: +33 (0)4 90 72 33 72
Le Carillon One of the restaurants where you can enjoy a perfect Luberon moment without burning a hole in your pocket. Sit outside on the square and savor Provençal fare simply and tastefully done. Attentive service. Prices: €14-35. Avenue du Luberon, Goult Tel: +33 (0)4 90 72 15 09
Café de la Poste, very popular, good light lunches, great place to sit outside and wile away a hot midday. Service is a bit uppish, spoiled by the many tourists, who want to eat where Peter Mayle (A Year in the Provence) once ate. Geez! Prices: €17-35. Rue République, Goult, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 72 23 23
