Michelin starred restaurants in Burgundy

By Aubert d’Oyon

In its 2010 edition, the Michelin guide awarded stars to 26 restaurants in Burgundy. There are Michelin starred restaurants in Dijon, Beaune, Nevers, Chablis, Tournus, Mâcon and in many other smaller towns and villages of this gastronome’s paradise. Three restaurants in Burgundy received three stars (of the 26 three-star Michelin establishments in all of France): in Chagny, Joigny and Saulieu. Classified according to the number of stars awarded, below is the full list of Michelin starred restaurants in Burgundy:

1-star Restaurants

• NEW Loiseau des Vignes restaurant fits right into its historical setting, located in the old part of the listed building of the 4-star Hôtel Cep. The food is served in two beautifully restored high-ceilinged rooms, where ancient stones and several old niches are clearly visible. The furniture is contemporary modern in a black, grey and tomato red colour scheme, creating a warm, almost homely atmosphere of subdued elegance.
• Relais de Montmartre in Viré: The Relais de Montmartre hasn’t received its many culinary awards by accident. Frédéric Carrion blends the flavours of French cuisine with an inspired fusion which places an emphasis on taste, and then the completed dishes are presented on original yet unpretentious tableware.
• Le Bénaton in Beaune: a good wine list and dishes which surprise by their originality alongside traditional Burgundy cuisine.
• Le Charlemagne in Pernand-Vergelesses near Beaune: the chef offers his own concept of Burgundian gastronomy - inventive, traditional and refined.
• Hostellerie de Levernois, Levernois close to Beaune: this 19th century manor house set in its own wooded grounds hosts a fashionable restaurant featuring innovation, Burgundy specialities and interesting variations on the ‘gingerbread’ theme.
• L’Abbaye de la Bussière in La Bussière-sur-Ouche: a delightful restaurant set in the abbey cloisters, the chef is one of France’s youngest and most talented.
• La Table de Chaintré in Chaintré : in the middle of the Pouilly vineyards, this restaurant offers a delightful tasting menu with fresh market ingredients plus game and truffles in season.
• Le Chassagne in Chassagne-Montrachet.
• Moulin de Martorey in St-Rémy beside Chalon-sur-Saône: recognized for the excellent quality of its food, the restaurant offers a rich and tantalizing menu.
• La Poularde in La Chapelle-de-Guinchay.
• Le Pré aux Clercs in Dijon: located in front of the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, the chef of the Pré aux Clercs mixes tradition with contemporary tastes to great effect.
• Stéphane Derbord in Dijon: a restaurant with a very pleasant atmosphere, it offers inventive cuisine and has a good cellar with the finest Burgundy wines.
• Hostellerie du Chapeau Rouge in Dijon: in a lovely 16th century house in the middle of old Dijon, inventive and refined dishes to surprise and delight.
• Auberge de la Charme in Prenois not far from Dijon: in the old forge of the village, traditional Burgundy ingredients produce an inventive gastronomic experience.
• Pierre in Mâcon: a neo-rural atmosphere with refined décor, delightful cuisine which skilfully combines classicism, terroir and modernity.
• Le France in Montceau-les-Mines: this restaurant in the upper part of the town has a smart dining area where the chef serves inventive dishes based on classical expertise.
• Jean-Michel Couron in Nevers: a welcoming and refined environment, a restaurant offering excellent gastronomy based on fresh ingredients from the region and exotic flavours.
• L’Amaryllis in Sennecey-le-Grand: this contemporary restaurant in front of the Hôtel-Dieu offers a warm Burgundy welcome; the chef works closely with the local producers and prepares generous and inventive dishes.
• Aux Terrasses in Tournus: simplicity, good taste, gentle and welcoming service and total professionalism set this restaurant apart, its three comfortable dining rooms have a contemporary atmosphere where guests savour the traditional and innovative cuisine.
• Restaurant Greuze in Tournus: in this restaurant, located close to the Saint-Philibert, the chef-owner prepares famous, classical dishes adding his own personal touch.
• Hostellerie des Clos in Chablis: truly inventive and light gastronomy from the Burgundy region, in perfect harmony with the famous wines of Chablis.

2-star Restaurants

• La Madeleine in Sens: refined, inventive cooking and a menu with touches of humour, dishes plancha style and tasting menus to discover foie gras and other delights.
• L’Espérance in Saint-Père close to Vézelay: the restaurant is set under a glass roof and opens onto a delightful garden, inventive gastronomy and a superb selection of wines.

3-star Restaurants

• Lameloise in Chagny: this stylish Burgundy house, a feature of the square in Chagny for centuries, boasts refined décor, impeccable service and delightful gastronomic cuisine.
• La Côte St-Jacques in Joigny: natural, creative cooking and a house where it is a pleasure to be, guests enjoy the unique decor and the restaurant’s renowned cuisine in a refined, luxurious atmosphere.
• Le Relais Bernard Loiseau in Saulieu: An exceptional restaurant with harmonious, stylish décor, modernity and tradition are conjugated to perfection on the plate and in the ambiance.

The Michelin Guide gives special mention to Les Roches in Saint-Romain awarding Guillaume Crotet a well-deserved bib.