A few recommendations
Périgord Noir is famous for its gastronomy, but not all restaurants are created equal. Over the past four years, I’ve tried many of the restaurants around Saint-Amand-de-Coly and I’m sharing my favourites with you, across different price ranges. Advance booking is strongly recommended for all of these places.
The village restaurant in Saint-Amand, right opposite the abbey. A fixed menu with shared starters and a choice of two main courses. Greg showcases local cuisine with a few creative touches from elsewhere. Excellent Napolitain wood‑fired pizzas on Sunday and Thursday evenings, available to eat in or take away.
A charming setting along the Coly: outside, the large terrace faces the stone arches of an old watermill; inside, beautiful dining rooms protected by two‑meter‑thick stone walls. The chef previously ran a Michelin‑starred restaurant. An excellent table, and you’ll be warmly welcomed by Marie‑Jo.
A friendly little restaurant in old Montignac on the right bank, popular with both locals and visitors. Pleasant terrace in summer and a warm welcome from the owner. Open for lunch and dinner, though the schedule can be a bit unpredictable.
The only crêperie in Montignac — and the best in the area! It’s one of my favourite spots. In summer, enjoy the rooftop terrace overlooking the Vézère.
“A good spot for lunch (closed in the evening), with a small, very sunny terrace overlooking Rue du Quatre Septembre. Excellent daily specials and very generous à‑la‑carte dishes. Everything is homemade!
A very good restaurant in Thonac, just past Montignac as you follow the Vézère downstream. In the evening, a three‑ or four‑course surprise menu. Creative, colourful cuisine — no magret, confit or sarladaises, yet the spirit of the Périgord is still very much on the plate. Boïdicou means ‘little basket’ in Occitan.
A local institution! Proper traditional Périgord cooking for lunch (closed in the evening). A very large dining room, always full and popular with local tradespeople. Portions are generous — you may want to plan a little nap afterwards. Homemade products are also available to take away.