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Best Loire Restaurants...Eating out is a part of the French way of life.   Don’t have a holiday in France without having a meal in a French restaurant.  Although there are many unusual French foods (frogs legs, snails, tête de veau etc.) you will find many foods that are a true delight!  And the Loire has some fantastic restaurants to choose from.
Which restaurant?  Try to find a restaurant that is targeted at French diners (French menus are a good clue!).  Don’t expect to find a fantastic restaurant in the major tourist destinations - here we would recommend something safe and straightforward such as pizza, crêpes etc..
Which time?  It’s often cheaper to eat at lunchtime and during the week.  Sunday lunch is always busy and it pays to book ahead.  In the evenings, don’t arrive too early - 7.30PM is often the earliest you can get served.
Which menu?  Don’t go for à la carte options.  Usually they have the same options as the menu prix fixe and they cost a lot more!  Avoid Menu Touristique like the plague!
Which wine?  Wine can be quite expensive if you go for named bottles.  But carafes of house white or red wine have usually been exquisitely selected by the restauranteur and are excellent value.  Refer to our wine section for more advice on wines in France.

Our favourite restaurants in the Loire:

     - Auberge Bienvenue
     - Café de la Ville
    
- La Croix Blanche
     - Le Logis de Pompois

     - Les Menestrels
     - La Promenade


 See the details in the frame below...

Auberge Bienvenue

164 rue de Cholet

49700 Doué-la-Fontaine

Tel No. (0)2 41 59 22 44

Website

Meal at the Auberge BienvenueAnother restaurant well placed for visiting after a sightseeing excursion, a few hundred metres from the zoo of Doué-la-Fontaine which will captivate old and young alike and is well worth a visit. The restaurant is in a  modern building but inside the welcome is warm and the food first class, being regional fare using fresh local produce. Children are well catered for, but don’t expect the standard menu of burger/chicken and chips – the children's menus are miniature versions of those served to the adults. Prices range from €15 - €48 for adult menus (excluding drinks).
External websites offering information on Loire restaurants (not all visited by us):

- Loire Valley Online
- Fodors Guide
If you know of any other excellent Loire restaurants, please let us have your feedback, including pictures and an explanation of your recommendation.  Thanks!