Berbiguieres is located in the middle of the Perigord Noir, one of the four areas that make up the Perigord/Dordogne with its 1,000 or so chateaux, its pre-history sites and its huge tourist influx during 'the season', from May to September, concentrating mainly on the European holiday months of July and August.
And, as they cater for the tourist market, there are a wide range of restaurants, brasseries, bars and eating places to cater for all budgets, from the camping student or family to those staying in the more upmarket and substantial hotels, gites and B&Bs. And, there are the local restaurants that cater for the French clientelle, the workers who have to eat at lunch time as part of their daily routine.
These are no more than personal recommendations, places where members of the Comite have eaten where we find the food good and the prices reasonable for the food and service you might get.
Cro Marin, Rue Gambetta, St Cyprien, 05 53 29 43 62:
One of the most interesting and best restaurants in the area. Excellent food, with a changing, seasonal menu which reflects the fish and seafood that is available from the markets locally, especially fish from Arcachon. The restaurant is part of the fish shop, which adjoins it and when you order your meal, the chef goes into the shop to pick the fish, crevette etc from the counter. Service is excellent and the prices are good.
You MUST book, even for the excellent 2 course lunch time menu, it's very popular. Open year round except for their holidays:
Website:
La Taverne, Rue Gambetta (place de la Fontaine), St Cyprien, 05 53 29 21 46:
Fabrice and Marie run a very typical Dordogne restaurant, lots of choice and basic, pizzas, good for the family. It gets busy at lunchtime with the French workers, for whom the fixed menu is reserved (it would take too long to explain why). They are located behind the fountain and in the summer they organise events like karakoe evenings and have organised specialist nights in the past, you can sit outside on their terrace area to watch the rold go by whilst you eat. It's a great atmosphere, popular with the French and good prices, usually open during the afternoon in the season for snacks and drinks.
No need to book, other than for special events, prices are those usual for this area, not expensive at all. Open all the year round expect for the familiy's holidays.
La Sivarde, Rue Gambetta, St Cyprien, 05 53 29 33 65:
Again, popular with the French, has recently moved slightly more upmarket. Alex and Isabelle are a great couple, Alex is one of the best chefs in this level of restaurant in the area and you always get a good meal there and for pizza lovers, Alex's pizzas are just superb - and they do takeaway pizza. It can get busy at lunchtimes with the French workers. The prices are good, not as keen as other places but the food is a step up.
The restaurant has a superb terrace on the first floor, which overlooks St Cyprien. For people watchers, it's a great place to sit and eat, especially on the Thursday nights in July and August when St Cyprien holds its night market.
Chai Malo, rue Gambetta, St Cyprien:
Chai Malo is a restaurant and bar that people really want to like. Over the past three years it's really gone upmarket and despite there being serious problems there (the untimely death of one of the co-owners) it has come out the other end and is open again. But, it's a difficult place to get to know and to like. The prices are quite high for the food that you get and the quality of the food and service are variable to say the least.
But they have a great garden and outside terrace and they hold some great musical soirees with a wide range of musical sources - African drumming, latin-American, French, Blues - which are really worth attending but whether you would want to pay inflated prices for indifferent food is your decision.
For those willing to travel a bit further:
Chai Monique, 3, rue de Paris, Le Bugue, 05 53 07 29 84:
Chai Monique is one of the most elegant eating places/bars in the area. Monique has great taste, the food is always interesting (made by her husband who is a chef in another good restaurant) and the wine list is superb. It's a very small place, very limited seating and not to many seats available on the pavement outside but it's well worth a visit.
Outside July and August when she has help Monique, who speaks excellent English, runs the place single handed so sometimes service can be rather slow but just sit back and enjoy the whole experience. The prices are good, the menu changes often and well worth visiting.
Couleurs Cafe, Le Moulin de Porteil, 24260, Campagne, 05 53 54 48 73:
Another excellent restaurant, within easy driving distance of Berbiguieres. In the summer, sit outside and enjoy the terrace and the parkland setting of the garden. Even indoors, the decor is great and the ambience matches. Both the owners speak good English and the service is never less than superb. Great lunch time menu and the a la carte is always excellent though it only changes 2 or 3 times a year.
The prices are good, the formule within the a la carte are good value and you'll never leave the place feeling hungry.
Le Chevrefeuille, Pechboutier, St Cyprien, 05 53 59 47 97:
This is not a restaurant per se but is part of a gite complex owned and run by Ian and Sarah Fiske, who are British. Ian is a very accomplished chef and the food he serves is excellent. It's not open every day or even every evening and if you want to try the meals there, you need to telephone to check availability.
The meals aren't cheap but the quality is superb and if you want a good meal, well prepared and presented for a special night, this is the place for you.
