Restaurants

Local:

Soubès: Very sadly, our local - Bistrot du Terral - is under new ownership and currently only operating as a bar.  Still lovely to wander down to the square and sit under the plane trees with a cold beer or a pastis.  But we eagerly await the return of food!!

Lodève: Our local town has many restaurants and takeaways - but not all that good!  We recommend the new Chez Philippe, run by the former owner of Auberge du Lac . La Fontaine (run by the charming Alice and her husband has a limited menu, but often has nice home-cooked food and music on a Thursday (check on Facebook).  Le Grand Miniscule has decent, if unexceptional, food most days. Just outside Lodève La Reserve is a slightly more formal restaurant, with good cooking. For takeaway pizza we like "Du Grand Soleil", which is in the old weighbridge on the way to Super U; check out their white pizzas for something different.

La Vacquerie: Just before you get to the village you will pass Le Bistrot Larzac, a favourite of ours - grills a speciality.  More sophisticated, L'Ogustin in the centre of the village has a Michelin entry for good value food; it is run by a young chef and is highly recommended. The only choice to make is how many courses you want!

Les Rives: Le Riverain in Les Rives is a bit of a trek, but worth the drive.  Eccentric chef, who produces lovely food.

Lac Salagou: Some of our favourites have closed, but Café de la Place in Octon is still open and worthy a visit. On Thursday there is a market from 18h to 21h and you may be lucky to get live music in the square. On the beach by the lake try the pop-up "Guingette du Relais Nautique.

Further afield:

Pezenas: Between Pezenas and the small village of Nizas, you will find De Lauzan at the Prieure Saint-Jean de Bebian. Superb, but expensive - one Michelin star!  Also from the same chef, Matthieu de Lauzun, try Mdl le bistrot in nearby Caux; much more affordable, but still delicious and with a very good wine list.  In nearby Neffiès you will find the outstanding Le Very’Table - delicious food and incredible value.

Montpeyroux & surrounding area: In Montpeyroux try La Terrasse du Mimosa in Montpeyroux has been re-furnished after a fire and a new chef.  The wine is all local, from some of the best local growers.  The food is sophisticated and well cooked, with an outstanding wine list of local wines that you can take away or have with your meal at a flat corkage.  In Saint Saturnin: Le Pressoir specialises in grilled meats on its large open fire behind the bar burning old vines.  Nearby in Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière you will find La Petite Fringale.  Nice food and you can sit outside under the trees. Delightful!

Florensac: Flores’sens (formerly Bistrot d'Alex) has great cooking at low prices. Attached to a local wine cooperative, you can sample their wines over lunch at not much more than shop prices. Good combined with a visit to Marseillan to see the pretty port and Noilly Prat factory or Chateau Laurens in Agde.

Montagnac:  Côté Mas:  check out the website for details of its wines (good) and its fabulous restaurant and wine bar.

Vailhan: Aponem (formerly L’Auberge du Presbytère) is a fair drive via Clermont 'L'Herault or a slightly hair-raising (but shorter) route across country via Lac Salagou. But once you get there the food and setting make the effort truly worthwhile.  Booking essential.

Montpellier: Many good restaurants in the old town. Le Grilladin is one, but Place de la Chapelle Neuve has many to chose from. Sit under the trees for a lovely lunch.