Following is a list of recommended restaurants in the Loire Valley.  This list should by no means be considered absolute and complete.  Rather, it should be considered a starting point as new establishments are constantly being added.  If you have a restaurant that you feel should be included in this list, please e-mail it to us at info@TouringInWineCountry.com.  Be sure to include address, phone number, the type of cuisine, and why you think it should be recommended to others.

Azay-le-Rideau

Ph: 011 33 02 47 45 39 01

Directly across the Indre from Azay-le-Rideau, this restaurant has an excellent wine list to go with its menus.

23 r. Pineau
Ph: 011 33 02 47 45 21 04
Fx: 011 33 02 47 45 92 51

Located "down the street" from the Château, Les Grottes is best described as an "intimate" (read "tiny") restaurant, consisting of two prehistoric dining rooms carved in the cliff, serving generous portions of regional cuisine. 

Ph: 011 33 02 47 26 88 77
Fx: 011 33 02 47 26 88 21

Rated 1-star by Michelin, L'Auberge in housed in an old half-timbered inn (often frequented by Balzac) that still conveys a rustic setting.  Their classic menu includes salad of pan-fried squab and foie gras and their wine list includes Azay-le-Rideau and Chardonnay de Touraine. 

2 rte Villandry
Ph: 011 33 02 47 45 94 59
Fx: 011 33 02 47 45 68 29
E-mail: hdcresor@club-internet.fr

A simple restaurant offering brasserie-type cuisine.  They also have a small shady outside dining area.

Tours

57 Rue Groisson
Ph: 011 33 02 47 41 41 11
Fx:  011 33 02 47 51 68 72
Web: www.jeanbardet.com

A first class restaurant (rated 2-star by Michelin and listed in Relais et Chateaux), this restaurant offers delicious menus (Frogs' legs, sautéed lambs' feet and chanterelles) with an impressive wine list (local wines include Vouvray and Bourgueil). 

6 Rue des Fusillés
Ph: 011 33 02 47 61 55 81

Run by the daughter of the aforementioned Jean Bardet, Le Canotier is a more laid-back restaurant with exceptional values at lunch.

123 Rue Colbert
Ph: 011 33 02 47 20 80 20

The focus of this restaurant is wine.  The menu, though, doesn't take too much of a back seat.

101 av. Tranchée
Ph: 011 33 02 47 54 20 39
Fx:  011 33 02 47 41 80 95

Recently renovated, this elegant restaurant includes a veranda for summer seating.  Specializing in regional cuisines, their fortes include crispy king prawns with aromatic spices and hare à la royale (when in season).  Their wine list includes a focus on wines from Montlouis and Bourgueil.  They are closed Saturday lunchtime and on Sunday.

Montbazon

1 pl. Marronniers
Ph: 011 33 02 47 26 00 67
Fx:  011 3302 47 73 14 82

Situated in an old Touraine house where you are elegantly surrounded by antiques, La Chancelière offers a wide variety of dishes ranging from game to fish and a wine list that is picked to augment the foods.  Their regional specialties include shellfish surprise with morels, ravioli of oysters with champagne (from September to June), and tatin of tomatoes with oxtail (from June to September).  Their wine list includes a concentration of wines from Vouvray and Chinon.  They are closed August 25 to September 3, February 9 to March 3, and Monday except public holidays.

Sud-Ouest par D 17
Ph: 011 33 02 47 34 30 30
Fx:  011 33 02 47 34 30 39
E-mail: contact@artigny.com

Decorated in the Classical style, the restaurant offers an incredible selection of wines, including an impressive collection of vintage Armagnacs.  They are closed from December 1st to January 11th.

Rochecorbon

Ph: 011 33 02 47 52 52 97

Living up to its name, this restaurant has seating on its terrace overlooking the river.  The cuisine is quite good with prices to match, especially for lunch.

Rte Parcey-Meslay
Ph: 011 33 02 47 52 50 49
Fx:  011 33 02 47 52 85 65

L'Oubliette's menu is principally regional cuisine prepared in a traditional style.  With a pretty flower-decked courtyard in the front, this is an excellent destination for lunch in the warmer months.  They are closed from August 27th to September 2nd, October 28th to November 4th, February 17th to March 3rd, and on Sundays and Mondays.

86 quai Loire
Ph: 011 33 02 47 52 88 88
Fx:  011 33 02 47 52 81 30
E-mail: hautes.roches@wanadoo.fr

The ideal place to dine while overlooking the Loire.  Their regional specialties include fresh duck foie gras in a Vouvray terrine, fish in a white Nantes butter, and a delicate tart with caramelized apples for dessert.  Their wine list concentrates on Vouvray secs, and Chinons. 

Saint-Ouen-les-Vignes

Ph: 011 33 02 47 30 15 29
Fx:  011 33 02 47 30 02 44
E-mail: j.arrayet@libertysurf.fr

Rated one-star by Michelin, this restaurant is an awesome value for lunch.  With a beautiful dining room and a terrace located in a lovely garden setting, their specialties include ravioli of prawns with early vegetables, bass in a summer marinière, shellfish sauce flavored with basil, and chocolate nonnette flavored with rosemary, vanilla flavored fennel purée for dessert.  Their wine list focuses on selections from Vouvray and Touraine-Mesland.