Discover the Best Regional Food and Drink in France!
The Dordogne and its neighbouring departments, the Limousin and the Charente, in Southwest France, are a true haven for food enthusiasts, brimming with culinary treasures that will delight your palate. Whether you are seeking exquisite dining experiences or unique local specialities, this area is a paradise for food lovers.
From lively summer night markets to quaint auberges, delightful bistros and sophisticated restaurants, this region has something for everyone. For those interested in fine dining, you'll find seven Michelin-starred restaurants within an hour's drive from the gite.
Here is a glimpse of some of the top dining spots in the area—many personally recommended by your hosts, Vanessa and William—along with a selection of regional food and drink specialities.
Moulin de L'Abbeye Brantome
Local Places to Eat
Where to Dine Near Beaux Souvenirs.
From casual lunches to special occasions, here are our personally recommended restaurants within easy reach of the gite, listed by distance:
- Casa O - (500m) Mialet - Corsican
- Auberge Saint Georges - (5.8km) Saint Jory de Chalais - French European
- Hôtel Les Voyageurs - (6.7km) La Coquille - French and European
- Camping-Maisonneuve - (6.8km) Saint Jory le Chalais - Stonebaked Pizza
- La Paillote de Saint Saud - (6.8km) Saint Saud Lacoussiere - French home cooking
- L'Odyssee - (6.8km) Saint Saud Lacoussiere - Bar and typical French Snacks
- Hostellerie St Jacques - (6.8km) Saint Saud Lacoussiere - French European
- The Fiddlers Rest - (8.7km) - on N21 towards Perigueux - Irish
- La Taverne de Montbrun - (11.9km) Dournazac - French pub food
- Hotel de France - (13.9km) Saint Pardoux la Riviere - French and European
- L'Escapade des Sens - (14.9 km) Thiviers - French and European
- Le Temps des Mets - (15.2km) St Jean de Cole - French and European beautiful river setting
- Le Moulin du Roc - (29km) Champagnac de Belair near Brantome - French and European
MIchelin Star Restaurants
France is globally renowned for its concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants, reflecting a rich culinary heritage that blends tradition, innovation, and exceptional quality. Michelin-starred venues uphold the highest standards, offering memorable dining experiences through masterful techniques and seasonally inspired menus, making France the epitome of gastronomic excellence.
Michelin 1 Star Restaurants Near Mialet, Dordogne Le Moulin de l'Abbaye - Brantôme (37mins) La Chapelle Saint Martin - Nieul (45mins) L'Essentiel - Périgueux (51mins) Moulin de la Tardoire - Montbron (51mins)
Michelin Selected restaurants near Mialet Bandiat - Abjat-sur-Bandiat (19mins) Attanum - Saint Yrieix La Perche (32mins) Charbonnel - Brantome ( 37mins) Lauryvan - Saint Junien (41mins) Martin Comptoir - Limoges (50mins) - Amphitryon - Limoges (51mins) La Cuisine du Cloître - Limoges (54mins) L'Aparte - Limoges (51mins) Épicurien - Périgueux (50mins) Hercule Poireau - Périgueux (51mins) Le Petrocore - Périgueux (53mins) Oxalis - Perigueux (53mins) Cafe Louise -Perigueux (56mins ) La Taula - Perigueux (57mins)
Local Markets
When visiting the Dordogne, please make time to explore a few of its local markets. These lively gatherings are the best places to discover fresh, seasonal produce and to see towns at their most vibrant and colourful. Markets are at their most significant and busiest in summer, though they can feel relatively quieter out of the primary season. Below you’ll find a guide to the main market days across our area. In summer, many towns also host evening marchés nocturnes, where locals and visitors come together to eat, drink, and enjoy live music under the stars.
- Monday - Day off for most!
- Tuesday - Mialet
- Wednesday - Piegut Pluviers
- Thursday - Excideuil, La Coquille
- Friday - Chalus, Brantome
- Saturday - Perigueux, Thiviers, Nontron
- Sunday - Jumilhac, Sorges
Ask your hosts for info on local evening markets and special one-off evening foodie events.
Specialities of the Dordogne
Must-Try Dishes:
- Foie gras - Liver from fattened duck (canard) or goose (oie), prepared as pâtés, terrines, or pan-seared
- Confit de canard - Slow-cooked duck leg, tender and rich
- Pommes Sarladaises - Potatoes roasted in duck fat with garlic and parsley
- Salad Périgourdine - Salad with walnuts, duck gizzards, and duck breast
- The Black Truffle of Périgord - Fresh season: late November through February. Look for truffle menus at restaurants during this period.
- Cèpes mushrooms - Autumn speciality
- Sauce Périgueux - Rich truffle sauce
Cheeses:
- Cabécou - Small, round, flat goat's cheese
- Trappe d'Echourgnac - Hard cheese with smoky flavour and walnut liqueur
Wines:
- Bergerac wines - Excellent reds and whites from nearby vineyards
- Pécharmant - Premium red blend (Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc)
- Monbazillac - Sweet dessert wine, perfect with foie gras
Desserts:
- Canelés - Small domed cakes with caramelised exterior
- Gâteau de Roi - Flaky pie with almond paste
- Walnuts - In everything: liqueur, oil, cakes, biscuits, nougat
- Strawberries - Gariguette, Darselect, Charlotte and Mara des Bois
Specialities of the Limousin
Must-Try:
- Limousin Beef - From the famous red-brown cows, renowned throughout France
- Cul Noir Pork - Famous black-bottomed pig from Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche
- Limousin Apples - Only apple in France with an AOP quality label
- Chestnuts - Sweet chestnuts in savoury and sweet preparations
Unique Dishes:
- Limousin soup with bacon, potatoes, and turnip Mique - Giant dumpling cooked in stew with pork and vegetables
- Pâté de pommes de terre - Potato pie with crème fraîche
- Potée Limousine - Hearty meat and vegetable stew
- Limousin Grillons - Shredded pork meat flavoured with garlic and herbs
- Galetou - Salted buckwheat pancakes with ham and cheese
Drinks:
- Limousin Cider - An excellent apple juice
- Vin Paille - Sweet wine from dried grapes (only 50,000 bottles produced yearly!
Desserts:
- Madeleines - Small almond-flavoured sponge cakes (originated in nearby Commercy)
- Clafoutis - Batter cake traditionally filled with cherries
- Massepains - small golden biscuits made with almonds
- Cruesois - a very soft and moist hazelnut and butter cake
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Specialities of the Charente
Must-Try:
- Poitas - Charente lamb with a delicate flavour
- Barbezieux Chicken - Bred for flavour since the Middle Ages
- Sauce aux Lumas - snail sauce
- Farci Poitevin - Stuffed herb terrine with vegetables and bacon
Drinks:
- Cognac - Famous brandy (Courvoisier, Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin)
- Pineau des Charentes - Fortified wine, an aperitif made by adding unfermented grape juice to Cognac
Cheese and Fruit:
- Torteau Fromager - Black-topped cake made from fresh cheese (distinctive!)
- Chabichou du Charente - Cone-shaped goat's cheese
- Charente Melon - Fragrant and juicy with orange flesh (summer)
Book Your Stay
After exploring the region's culinary delights, return to Beaux Souvenirs for home-from-home comfort. Centrally located in Mialet with easy access to the N21, our gite places you within easy reach of all these restaurants—from the local brasserie just 500m away to Michelin-starred dining within an hour's drive. Your hosts, Vanessa and William, can provide restaurant recommendations, help with reservations, and suggest the perfect dining spots for any occasion.
Things to See & Do
Mialet
The charming village of Mialet is located in the Dordogne, South West France in the Aquitaine region.
Top 12 Attractions
There are so many places to visit and things to do in our area. To give you a little taster we have created a list of our top 12 favourites.
What to See in Our Region
There are countless places to visit within a 2-hour radius of Mialet. Here are the main sites, including drive time and distance.
Where & What to Eat
Eating out is a fabulous experience in this part of France and there is a huge variety of establishments to choose from.
Festivals & Events
Annual calendar of festivals & events in the Dordogne and nearby departments.
Sports & Outdoors
The North Dordogne or Perigord Vert is a perfect location for those with a great affinity to the great outdoors.