Restaurants: Vaison la Romaine, Carpentras & Environs
The countryside around Vaison la Romaine, Orange and Carpentras is the Southern Côtes du Rhône wine region. Good food and wine belong together and the numerous delightful restaurants in the small villages and towns are no coincidence. They range from from village bistros to 1-star Michelin haut cuisine places. Wile away the time with a glass or two of wine from Châteaneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Rasteau, Cairanne, Vacqueyras, Séguret, Sablet - the list of well known Côtes du Rhône wine villages goes on and on - and enjoy life.
This area is liked by a lot of visitors, so don't forget to make a reservation. A few restaurants offer only a no choice menu for a set number of guests. A very efficient way if you use fresh locally grown produce and want to keep prices low. But this means that once the kitchen's capacity is exhausted, walk-ins without reservations will have to be turned away.
The villages are listed in alphabetical order. A click on the restaurant name will get you to the website, a click on the address to the Google Map.
Beaucet
Auberge du Beaucet The tiny restaurant is a real stand-out in this picturesque village. Woodbeam decor and tables decked in crispy white tablecloth. Handpicked small menu - a treat. Park the car and walk up to the village which is a no-car zone. Worth the trip uphill. Prices: €24-39. Rue Coste Chaude, Le Beaucet, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 66 10 82
Bédoin
Le Mas des Vignes There are two reasons to pay a visit here: (1) Savoring the excellent regional cuisine offered by Yann de Coetlogon and (2) enjoying the magnificent views from the restaurant's terrace, 4km up the Mont Ventoux from Bédoin. Prices: €28-38. Route du Mont-Ventoux, Saint Estève, 84410 Bedoin Tel: +33 (0)4 90 65 63 91
Cairanne
Côteaux et Fourchettes Cyril Glémot, the former chef of l'oustalet in Gigondas and Sommelier Romain Gaillard and his partner Christelle opened their own restaurant and wine cellar in late 2010. Located in the midst of the Cairanne vineyards with modern minimalist decor, 40 seats inside, 40 in the Provençal garden. Cyril uses primarily local produce to create a refined yet refreshing cuisine. The menu is creative and changes on a bi-weekly basis. Well chosen wine list, you can buy these wines in the adjacent cave at producer's prices. Cyril is well known in the area and has a faithful following. Prices: €19-32. Croisement de la Courançonne, 84290 Cairanne, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 66 35 99
Le Tourne au Verre A wine bar and restaurant in this well known Côtes du Rhône wine village. This is where locals and visitors sit side by side and enjoy good food and an authentic atmosphere. The no-choice menu (appetizer, main course, dessert) is written on a black board and changes every day. Food ranges from good to extraordinary. A well chosen selection of wines by the glass at decent prices, an even wider selection by the bottle. Friendly service, relaxed and efficient. Smartly decorated interior and outside dining under plane trees right in the village. Prices: €15-25. Route de Sainte Cécile, 84290 Cairanne, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 30 72 18
Carpentras
La Petite Fontaine A tiny restaurant in the old part of Carpentras. The food is regional, without pretensions but nicely prepared, portions are generous, price/quality top notch and the service attentive. No wonder the place is always full, reservations required. Prices: €15-25. 13 Place du Colonel Mouret, 84200 Carpentras Tel: +33 (0)4 90 60 77 83
Châteauneuf du Pape
None of the restaurants in this famous wine village convince us, least of all La Mère Germaine. Here is an excellent option close to Châteauneuf du Pape:
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
Entrechaux
L'Ancienne Poste Owned and operated by Jean Jacques Houdy and his wife, this charming restaurant is located in the tiny historic village of Entrechaux, 6km East of Vaison la Romaine. There is a wonderful shaded terrace with views towards Mt.Ventoux and nicely decorated interior. Fresh local produce is used for an imaginative Provençal cuisine. Leave some space for the excellent desserts! From Vaison la Romaine take Rt. D 938 to Maulaucene, 3.5 km after Vaison turn left to Entrechaux, the restaurant is right in the village center. Prices: €17-31. Le Village, 84340 Entrechaux, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 46 09 84
St.Hubert Romantic country setting in the same village as L'Ancienne Poste. Owned and operated since 1929 by the same family. Wisteria covered terrace, great menu and friendly service. Well known for its fish dishes during summer and game during the winter season. An improvement of the wine list is long overdue. Look for the sign St.Hubert 50m before the main square, the restaurant is located left on a side road. Prices: €15-27. Le Village, 84340 Entrechaux, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 46 00 05
Faucon
Le Laurier Authentic village restaurant serving Provençal classics. Food is well prepared and kept deliberately simple. Attentive service, great terrace overlooking the village square. Prices: €25. Place de la Mairie, 84110 Faucon Tel: +33 (0)4 90 46 55 54
Flassan
Chez Camille An Camille and Richard took over this oldtimer in Flassan, the former Restaurant du Mont Ventoux, in 2009. Chef Camille Stabholz, who hails from Flassan, rejuvenated and upgraded the menu, continuing the tradition of Provençal cuisine using primarily bio products from the region. Well done, the Provence version of a gastropub! Prices: €19-25. Cours Nouveau, 84410 Flassan. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 66 87 80
