Favourite foodie haunts

“The whole trip was amazing. Best of the best was Carlo Zarri of the Hotel-Ristorante San Carlo acting as our personal chef and sommelier. It was one of the finest meals we have ever had.”

Mr Thompson may be reminiscing about his time among Piedmont’s Hills & Vineyards, but good food and drink are highlights of all Inntravel holidays. Whether you’re tucking into some of the world’s best seafood on Sweden’s west coast or drinking Meursault in Meursault and Montrachet in Montrachet, you can be sure of a mouthwatering culinary experience that will linger in the memory long after you return home.

Yet, an unforgettable meal is not all about the menu – the service, setting and story of a dish can be equally important ingredients in its success. A simple Bratwurst from an outdoor stand in the beautiful Moselle Valley, for example, is sometimes just as satisfying as a multi-course dinner in an elegant restaurant. With that in mind, we bring you our top five ‘foodie haunts’, places that stand out for their character as well as their cuisine. And as all five feature on our walking holidays, by the time you reach them, you will have earned the right to indulge...

An unexpected delight
It has the unenviable task of following on from one of our most gastronomic hotels – Le Pont de l’Ouysse in Lacave – but Le Petit Relais in Calès is anything but a disappointment to those lucky enough to stay there on their way to Rocamadour. Countless Inntravellers have been enchanted by bubbly Karine, who runs the front of house, and though chef Olivier is shy outside the kitchen, back in his own domain, he is a man transformed – full of passion and pride for the wonderful food he lovingly creates.

Fabulously eclectic
When Jack and Andy Montgomery were researching the routes for our Contrasts of Corsica walking holiday, they spent a very enjoyable evening at L’Osteria in Olmi-Cappella, a popular bar-restaurant with bags of character and extremely friendly staff. There is an inside dining area, but most people choose to eat outside, where they can watch the sun set over the valley as they sample the traditional, hearty Corsican fare. The night Jack and Andy visited, there was a frantic search for Sacha – the restaurant's resident tortoise whose almost daily escape bids provide an unusual kind of after-dinner entertainment.

A taste of the Alps
The walls may not be made of oregano, nor the duvets stuffed with parsley, but the Kräuter Hotel (‘herb hotel’) Edelweiss definitely deserves its botanical name. Located at almost 1550 metres above sea level in the small mountain village of Rigi-Kaltbad, this hotel is perhaps not the first place you’d expect to find an extensive herb garden or Michelin-starred chef, but its delicious, locally sourced dishes are perfectly in tune with their alpine surroundings. The smooth, relaxed service and extraordinary view over Lake Lucerne complete the experience.

A reputation for excellence
Considering the experience of chefs Marc Preston and David Shepherd, it’s no surprise that La Fleur de Lys has two AA rosettes and a widespread reputation for fine cuisine. Marc has worked in several famous kitchens, including those of London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, whereas David has fed the world’s rich and famous everywhere from the Bahamas to Saudi Arabia. For the last 27 years, they’ve called sleepy Shaftesbury home, providing their guests with first-rate food and plenty of tips on how to make the most of their visit. A fitting finale to our gastronomic journey along The Hardy Way.

Simply delicious
If ever proof were needed that sometimes simple really is best, it could be found at Al Chersogno. Set high on a hillside overlooking Piedmont’s Magical Valley, this delightful family-run agriturismo has recently been converted into simple but stylish lodgings – the vault-ceilinged dining room is a former animal stall! The dishes served there are unassuming and delicious, based on traditional Occitan recipes and using fresh local products, many from the family’s own farm. The real highlight, however, is the homemade honey. Coming in a variety of flavours – acacia, dandelion, chestnut and mille fiori – it can be enjoyed at breakfast or together with the evening’s dessert.