Restaurants
Most of these restaurants have good websites and for those that don't you will find details in our guide to the area which you will receive on booking.
Local:
Soubès: Lou Terral (also known as Bar or Café du Terral) is our local, just a walk or a bike ride away. There is a different plat du jour every day – excellent value at only €13.50 for three courses. Wine by the pichet or more expensive local wines by the bottle. The local tomatoes with mozarella is a 'must try'. 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. Cafe Miniscule often has good live music and now serves good food most days; check out the website to see when the next live music is on. If you like oysters, there are plenty on sale at the stalls in the Saturday market, and you can sit in the cafe next to the Halle Darde to eat them with a pichet of local white.
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. Mas de Riri is a campsite with a stunning terrace where you can eat when they are open. It's also the best place to swim in the Lac. Café de la Place in Octon is a simple bar/restaurant; worth going to for the concerts they often have on a Saturday evening. Further along you will find Le Festillou at Salsasc which is a traditional french cafe in a pretty village.
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!
A little further but well worth the trip:
Pezenas: Our closest Michelin star restaurant is Bebianus, the restaurant of michelin starred chef Matthieu DeLauzan, who has moved his restaurant and hotel offering from Gignac close to the beautiful historic town of Pezenas.
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. In July and August on Sunday evenings combine your meal with jazz in the village square.
Bouzigues: There are many wonderful seafood restaurants along the Etang overlooking masses of oyster beds. Staying overnight in one of the small hotels just adds to the enjoyment!
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 is a lovely restaurant and wine bar situated at the vineyard. Check out the website for details of its wines (good) and its fabulous restaurant and wine bar. Really lovely and good value for money.
Tournemire: Auberge des Orchidees is highly recommended. First class French cuisine and a clasic dining room. Combine with a visit to Roquefort to see the famous cheese caves. Close to Fondamente, the home of the late-lamented Hotel Baldy.
Vailhan: 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.
Beziers: Octopus has a well-deserved Michelin star. The set lunch is fantastic value. Sit outside in their courtyard and enjoy! Well worth the trip. Combine with a morning or afternoon on the beach.
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.
Michelin star restaurants in Herault (2015):
Mia
Price: 31 € to 63 €
Address: 609 av. Raymond-Dugrand 34000 Montpellier
Le Jardin des Sens
Price: 49 € to 182 €
Address: 11 av. St-Lazare 34000 Montpellier
Octopus
Price: 30 €
Address: 12 r. Boïeldieu 34500 Béziers
La Réserve Rimbaud
Price: 38 € to 100 €
Address: 820 Avenue de Saint-Maur 34000 Montpellier
La Coquerie
Price: 63 €
Address: 1 chemin du Cimetière-Marin 34200 Sète
