In the heart of the Loire Valley, Saumur is surrounded by exceptional local produce, which the town's restaurateurs are proud to showcase. We were delighted by the excellent regional wines and local gastronomy, and discovered some very good restaurants!
In this article, you'll find our list of the best restaurants to eat at in Saumur. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with Anjou cuisine!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Best gourmet restaurants in Saumur
1. Restaurant Fontevraud L'Ermitage (1 star)
In the grounds of the Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, 10 minutes from Saumur, nestles the Restaurant L'Ermitage, which literally won us over. In an extraordinary setting, this Michelin-starred restaurant (1 star in the Guide Michelin) transported us into the history and gastronomy of the area.
Like us, go in the evening to enjoy the mysterious, subdued atmosphere of the abbey by night. You can even take a tour of the cloister!
The menu is just like the place: exceptional and intriguing. With a nod to the abbey's past, the surprising names of the dishes aroused our curiosity. Behind the monastic dry-bread soup or the Saint-Pierre tartlet were some delicious, contemporary dishes that we thoroughly enjoyed! Drawing on the region's rich terroir, Bocuse d'or chef Thibaut Ruggeri honors exceptional products with 2 menus, Lune and Pierrot. A real melody of flavours!
Practical information:
- Location: Fontevraud, in the Royal Abbey
- Type: gastronomic
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Price range: approx. €100 per person (excluding wine accompaniment)
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Reservation
2. L'Essentiel Restaurant
Close to the Loire River, in downtown Saumur, you may come across this charming restaurant at the bend in a stone alleyway. Push open the doors and you'll be seduced by the decor, but above all by the elegant, tasty and local cuisine. We loved it!
Recommended by the Michelin Guide, you can compose your own menu. "Discover", "Essentials", "Temptation" or "Inspiration" let you choose from delicious dishes, starters, desserts and cheeses! There's also a menu for vegetarians and children. We opted for "temptation" so that we could taste everything! The succulent cod cooked in a grape broth and accompanied by colorful seasonal vegetables, and the delicate chocolate dessert with cinnamon and orange, particularly delighted our taste buds!
Practical information:
- Location: downtown
- Type: gastronomic
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Price range: between €30 and €70 depending on menu and wine pairing
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Particularly suitable for children and vegetarians
- Reservation
WHERE TO STAY IN Saumur
Downtown
Enjoy the city, its restaurants and beautiful architecture.
- Hotel Saint Pierre - a historic stay! - see prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Château La Marquise - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Anne d'Anjou - prices, pictures and availability
In the countryside around
Looking for a bit of peace and quiet, without straying too far from the city of Angers? Here's our suggestion:
- Hotel Demeure de la Vignole - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Joly Foudres - unusual in barrels - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel de l'abbaye de Fontevraud - prices, pictures and availability
Best bistronomic restaurants in Saumur
3. L'Escargot Restaurant
With a name so emblematic of French gastronomy, this restaurant has to seduce. It is! We were delighted to sample the bistronomic cuisine of this Saumur establishment. In a sleek, designer decor, the chef served up warm, authentic dishes.
Choosing our dishes à la carte, we obviously tried the starter of stuffed snails and were not disappointed! The culinary adventure continued in style with roasted salmon on spicy black rice. Finally, a sweet note brought by figs with honey just out of the oven and a Combier digestif (the distillery is just a few steps from the restaurant!) crowned our meal with success!
Practical information
- Location: downtown
- Type: bistronomic
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Price range: between €25 and €40
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Reservation
4. L'Alchimiste Restaurant
Right in the heart of downtown, Restaurant L'Alchimiste offers authentic, gourmet cuisine. On the à la carte menu, we saw a number of formulas, as well as a discovery menu, "L'Expérience", which allows you to taste products from the Loire region, from starter to dessert. Mushrooms, seasonal vegetables, French meat and fish from the Loire and Atlantic regions are just waiting to be tasted. You'll also be won over by the establishment's friendly atmosphere. We recommend it! Don't forget to book, as the venue is often fully booked!
Practical information
- Location: downtown
- Type: bistronomic
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Price range: between €25 and €40
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Reservations on +33 (0) 2 41 67 65 18
5. Le Moulin des Saveurs Restaurant
On the outskirts of Saumur, in the beautiful Hôtel Le Domaine de Presle, we had lunch in the semi-gastronomic restaurant Le Moulin des Saveurs. The setting is superb. From your table, you may have a view of the 17th-century manor house and the large wooded park. Why not extend the experience and spend the night in one of our elegant rooms? Book now!
We found the food tasty! After enjoying a fresh starter, we chose the turkey leg with seasonal vegetables. Brilliant and perfectly seasoned, the gravy was simply succulent! Our meal ended on a sweet note, with chocolate ganache colored with red berries and a crunchy oven-baked cookie. Like us, accompany your meal with a glass of wine. The wine cellar showcases local vintages.
Practical information
- Location: downtown
- Type: semi-gastronomic
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Price range: between €25 and €40
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Reservations on +33 (0) 2 41 40 25 95
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Best traditional restaurants in Saumur
6. Boeuf Noisette Restaurant
Behind its colorful façade, the friendly atmosphere of the Boeuf Noisette restaurant caught our eye from the street. Banquettes, mirrors and wooden furniture give the place a comforting vintage ambience that invites you to feast! The chef will unveil a short, high-quality menu featuring beef in a variety of ways, according to the season. Let yourself be tempted by the house rump steak with hazelnut butter. The region's famous red meadow beef, renowned for its great taste!
Practical information
- Location: downtown
- Type: traditional
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Price range: between €30 and €40
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Reservations on +33 (0) 9 81 73 73 10
7. Le Cellier Restaurant
As its name implies, Restaurant Le Cellier will delight you with its wines and its creative menu! In the midst of the establishment's small wooded dining room, let yourself be seduced by the seasonality of local produce, skilfully sublimated by the chef. You'll find a bit of the Pays de la Loire on your plate (and in your glass)! The restaurant is also ideally located, in the heart of Saumur just a few steps from the river.
Practical information
- Location: downtown
- Type: traditional
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Price range: between €30 and €40
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Reservations on +33 (0) 2 41 40 96 20
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
If you wish to be informed of the publication of our guide on the Loire, register:
8. Le Pot de Lapin Restaurant
Restaurant Le Pot de Lapin is an establishment just like we like it! Warm, relaxed atmosphere, gourmet local cuisine and spicy dishes with a touch of humor. The cheerful couple who run the house have turned it into a real "bouchon" (a typical Lyon restaurant serving traditional dishes) but Saumur-style! We had a great time there.
After perusing the menu on the slate, we settled on the appetizing veal kidneys with fresh vegetables and herb jus. The chef's traditional, tasty cuisine warmed our hearts. Wine too! This bon-vivant restaurant boasts an attractive wine list that will appeal to grape lovers.
Practical information
- Location: downtown
- Type: traditional
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Price range: between €30 and €50
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Reservations on +33 (0) 2 41 67 12 86
9. Le Carrousel Restaurant
This pretty restaurant will charm you with its generous land-sea cuisine and pleasant setting! A la carte or with the Gourmand menu offered by the chef, you can enjoy delicious traditional dishes emblematic of western France. The pig's trotters or monkfish medallions would have tempted us. Dare to try the house specialty, the foie gras carrousel, a treat for the taste buds! Don't hesitate to make a reservation. The place is a great success.
Practical information
- Location: downtown
- Type: traditional
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Price range: between 20 and 40€.
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Reservation
DISCOVER Saumur
- Best things to do in Saumur
- Where to sleep in Saumur: best hotels
- Where to eat in Saumur: best restaurants
- Visit the Château de Saumur
- Visit Fontevraud Abbey
- The most beautiful castles around Saumur
- Saumur's troglodytes
- itineraries: weekend
Best restaurants along the Loire in Saumur
10. Restaurant La Reine de Sicile
We crossed the Île Offard bridge and arrived in the middle of the Loire, almost with our feet in the water! Here, Restaurant Auberge La Reine de Sicile welcomes you with open arms.
Despite its Italian-sounding name, the restaurant offers completely French cuisine. The queen refers only to the wife of the good King René, Duke of Anjou and King of Sicily, who left her mark on the history of the Loire Valley. The menu featured traditional recipes such as wild boar civet and lamb sweetbread salad, as well as spider crab soup and buttered scallops. All accompanied by regional wines. You're in for a treat!
Practical information
- Location: Offard Island
- Type: traditional
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Price range: between 20 and 40€.
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Reservation
11. La Tonnelle Restaurant and Wine Bar
In honor of the town of Saumur, an important stop on the Loire wine route, La Tonnelle restaurant and wine bar is located just a few steps from the Loire River. Sitting on the terrace, we enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the view of the river. We loved it!
The house wine list is very attractive and goes wonderfully well with the sharing boards. We were tempted by a glass of AOC wine from an estate near Saumur and a myriad of cheeses and charcuterie! Camembert, Comté, Saint-Nectaire, rosette and cured ham awakened our taste buds! Before you leave, take the opportunity to buy some good bottles to fill your own cellar. Want to discover more of the region's grape varieties? More tasting ideas here.
Practical information
- Location: downtown, on the banks of the Loire
- Type: wine bar, cellar
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Price range: between €20 and €30
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Reservations on +33 (0) 2 41 59 44 56
12. Le Bateau Bar Restaurant Sur Les Quais
Let yourself be lulled by the waves of the Loire River as you enjoy lunch at the Bateau Bar Restaurant Sur les Quais! On this barge, inspired by the old washboats that plied the river in the 19th century, you'll experience the magic of Saumur's quays. One of the Loire's most beautiful landscapes, in our opinion! You'll also love the restaurant's designer decor and local cuisine. You can choose traditional à la carte dishes or opt for the Menu Angevin, which features regional specialties.
Practical information
- Location: downtown, on the banks of the Loire
- Type: bar restaurant
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Price range: between €20 and €30
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Reservations on +33 (0) 6 98 65 83 32
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers' beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
Best light and healthy restaurants in Saumur
13. Masama Restaurant
The friendly Restaurant Masama hides an equally colourful cuisine behind its green façade! We felt the restaurant's touch of craziness in the fresh dishes we tasted.
We were seduced by the chef's fusion cuisine! A blend of Asian and American influences, the menu also features revisited dishes from the Pays de la Loire region. It will also appeal to fans of healthy, vegetarian dishes. After a starter of fresh, crunchy vegetables, our choice fell on the succulent veggie burger with homemade sweet potato fries. We also liked the dessert. Naturally sweet, the pineapple tart and homemade ice cream subtly transported us to the tropics.
Practical information
- Location: downtown
- Type: restaurant
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Price range: between €20 and €30
- Pays de la Loire speciality: yes
- Suitable for families
- Reservations on +33 (0) 2 53 93 95 82
14. Le Salon de Thé Le Colibri Fait Son Nid
This charming little establishment is ideal for a gourmet break! Light lunch or tasty snack, the choice is yours. The cosy setting will make you feel right at home, and will also appeal to children. We had a great time there.
After enjoying a comforting hot soup with browned croutons, we had our homemade vegetable quiche with a nice lettuce. We also loved the dessert, a melting apple pie that reminded us of our grandmother's! The attractive tea list finally got our full attention. We were tempted by a jasmine-scented tea.
Practical information
- Location: downtown
- Type: tea room
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Price range: between €10 and €20
- Pays de la Loire speciality: no
- Suitable for families
- Reservations on +33 (0) 9 73 26 81 78
15. Le Salon de Thé Maison Gaspard
With its friendly atmosphere and lovely terrace, the Salon de Thé Maison Gaspard is the ideal place to enjoy a sunny breakfast, a light, healthy lunch or a gourmet snack! We had a tasty snack!
The welcoming decor will put you at ease from the moment you enter. Floor-to-ceiling carpets and woodwork transport you to the comfort of a cosy interior. The display of homemade cakes and pastries tempted us. A feast for the eyes! But listening to the voice of reason, we opted for the red fruit pannacotta and a fresh homemade fruit juice. Simple and delicious!
Practical information
- Location: downtown
- Type: tea room
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Price range: between €10 and €20
- Pays de la Loire speciality: no
- Suitable for families
- Reservations on +33 (0) 2 41 03 98 52
Saumur's troglodyte restaurants
Saumur is also famous for its troglodyte attractions! The region has a number of restaurants with rooms carved out of the rock. We haven't had a chance to test them yet, but among the best-known are..:
- Restaurant Les Caves de Marson
- Restaurant Les Nobles Fouées
- Restaurant les Cathédrales de la Saulaie
- Restaurant les Caves de Genevraie
- Restaurant Les Pieds Bleus
- ...
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
HE MADE THE TRIP Manu
