Local:
Soubès: Lou Terral (also known as Bar or Café du Terral) is our local and therefore our favourite! Limited menu, but a different plat du jour every day – excellent value at only €15.60 for three courses. Wine by the pichet or more expensive local wines by the bottle. Just a short walk from Les Pavots. In summer you sit in the square under the plane trees - perfect.
Lodève: Our local town has many restaurants and takeaways. Hotel de la Paix and Le Petit Sommelier are both very traditional. Pizzeria di Maori is somewhat eccentric, but has good pizzas. Le Grand Miniscule has decent, if unexceptional, food most days. Just outside Lodève La Reserve is a slightly more formal restaurant, with good cooking. Visit the charming La Fontaine for drinks and plates of charcuterie and cheese.
La Vacquerie: Just before you get to the village you will pass Le Bistrot Larzac, a favourite of ours - grills a speciality. Also newly refurbished, new owners and with good reviews is L'Ogustin in the centre of the village. Home cooked food and highly recommended.
Les Rives: Le Riverain in Les Rives is a bit of a trek, but worth the drive. New in 2022 and very good!
Lac Salagou: Auberge du Lac is difficult to beat on a sunny day for lunch sitting on the terrace under their ‘sails’ admiring the view. Café de la Place in Octon is a simple bar/restaurant; worth going to for the concerts they often have on a Saturday evening.
Octon: A little further along Lac Salagou to Octon and then up to the hamlet of Basse is our little local gem, La Palombe. Absolutely superb cooking from a very talented young chef. Not to be missed. Book! Note: in July / August 2022 La Palombe was reserved for hotel guests only.
Further afield:
Pezenas: Between Pezenas and the small village of Nizas, you will find Le Prieuré de Saint Jean de Bébian. This is the latest venture of Michelin star chef, Matthieu de Lauzun. Beautifully situated in a winery, this new venture already has rave reviews.
Montpeyroux: La Terrasse du Mimosa sells wine downstairs and has a restaurant upstairs. The wine is all local, from some of the best local growers and at the same price as at the winery. The food is sophisticated and well cooked; choose any wine from downstairs at a flat €10 corkage. Now re-opened after a fire in 2022.
Saint Saturnin: Le Pressoir specialises in grilled meats on its large open fire behind the bar burning old vines.
Florensac: 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.
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.