Far away from the tourist traps of the old town, tiny seafood restaurantCoquillages Boucheton Rue Rusca is a relative newcomer in Nice. Tucked away on a sidestreet near the port, the menu is short and the atmosphere relaxed. The young owners, Nicolas and Hugo, are best friends and their passion for fresh seafood, especially sea urchins and oysters, simply radiates. If you’re after fancy, go to one of the exclusive beach clubs dotted along the coastline. If you want fresh, vibrant and delicious platters of seafood served with charm and glasses of ice-cold white wine, come here.Melanie Clarkson
Joséphine à Table, in the pretty village of Saint-Amour-Bellevue in Beaujolais, is the little country bistro you were always hoping to find in rural France. Hearty portions of rusticcuisinepaysanneare the order of the day, or you could push the boat out and splurge on a sophisticated chicken invinjaunesauce with morels. And don’t forget to wash your meal down with a bottle of the local wine – there are plenty of cuvées to choose from on the extensive list, all priced unbelievably reasonably. A set main course and dessert is €24.Santé.Natasha Hughes
Ripaille (onInstagram) – a bistro on Rue de Lorette just north of the Old Port – was the unexpected gem of our time in Marseille. Tucked down a street awash with the city’s characteristic street art, diners sit at snug Formica tables drinking delicious natural wines. There’s a soft glow and the hum of a local crowd having a good time. We had everything off the chalkboard menu between four. Highlights were radicchio with stilton, pear and hazelnuts; scallops in smoked lemon; grilled dorade with almond sauce; and desserts generous on the cream. The staff were brilliant: cool yet attentive.Charlotte
A visit toLes Mauvais Garçonsoff the Rue de Rivoli in the Marais would be worth it for the name, which it shares with the street it’s on, but more so for its Lyonnais fare. After regaling ourselves with pork sausage in a sublime brioche, we moved on to the more serious work of enjoying the pike dumpling in an exotic lobster bisque. You can complete your trip down south by indulging in a fondant au chocolat that would make Baudelaire himself feel decadent. The excellent service belies the restaurant’s name.Patricia
Port-Haliguen is a quaint fishing village close to the beautiful town of Quiberon in Brittany. Here we foundLa Base, a bistro overlooking the harbour. The chef lets ingredients shine with minimal fuss, such as the freshest sardines to start, then a perfectly cooked medium rare côte de boeuf for two, while the chocolate mousse is velvety smooth and comforting. The impressive house red is served at only €4 a glass and bottles at about €20. The idyllic setting, precise cooking and amazing value made this a real highlight of the holiday.James Allison
La Récréationin the beautiful Lot department village ofLes Arquesjust south of the Dordogne is a fabulous restaurant. It is housed in what was once the village school and has plenty of outdoor seating for the summer months. The food is sublime and simply never disappoints. Lobster ravioli in a coral sauce and croustillants de Saint-Jacques are delicious signature dishes, but the experienced chefs are innovative and the menu changes frequently. The village itself is associated with the renowned 20th-century sculptor and painterOssip Zadkineand attracts artists. La Récréation is a very popular restaurant, which must be booked in advance and is wholly deserving of its reputation locally.Lesley
Au Pêcher Mignon (onFacebook) in Florac, near the Ardèche, is a real gem. The owner was so welcoming and a great host. They were very accommodating when our group of eight arrived for lunch and were happy to shuffle tables so we could all sit together. Our children enjoyed the cheese and beef galettes with a lovely salad. The adults enjoyed a split galette, which included wild mushroom, spices and cheese on one half and garlic, aubergine and cheese on the other – it tasted fantastic. All were homemade and used local ingredients. A very tasty cider accompanied the food. The homemade cheesecake was just delicious. All at a reasonable price.Stefanie Ashall
Le Pic à Bulot(The Whelk Pick) in Dinard is the perfect place for a seafood platter. In the Saint-Énogat neighbourhood, the restaurant serves fresh fish and seafood from its ownpoissonnerienext door. We visited in early April, sat on the terrace, well wrapped up, and shared an iced platter of prawns, langoustines, whelks, oysters and, in a blast from the past for me, winkles. All helped on by a bottle of head-turning Pouilly-Fuissé (it was our wedding anniversary). It’s definitely worth a detour if you’re visiting Mont Saint-Michel or arrived at Saint-Malo, and is reasonable with set menus starting at €15.Mick George
In the gritty Capucins market quarter, Au Bistrot delivers straightforward French comfort food for hungry market shoppers. Chef Jacques In’On cooks whatever looks best on the stalls that morning in a small open kitchen, while the host, François Pervillé, pours affordable bottles from an all‑Bordeaux list. My lunch: slow beef bourguignon, deep and savoury, plus a creamy garlic‑laced potato dauphinoise. The room is tiled and the staff are relaxed and quietly efficient. Menus change daily but rarely break €25. Decent wine by the glass costs €4. Book ahead or queue. Outdoor tables spill on to pavement when the sun shines.Pamela
Nestled in the industrial fishing port in Boulogne-sur-Mer isLe Chatillon. Business hours of 5.30am-4.30pm make it a staple breakfast location for fishers. Nevertheless, the average family on an average budget can eat well at this humble gem of a place, served by friendly, efficient and professional staff, and that feels like the definition of hospitality. Theboulonnaiseplate – smoked salmon, fillet of herring, smoked mackerel and toast – is a great place to start, and fillet of boneless turbot with triple cooked fries, while simple, was like nothing I’ve tasted before or since.Ruth King