FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

Hôtel d'Alibert, Caunes-Minervois, 0.0 kilometres: This fine restaurant is certainly the closest. It is literally across the street from l'Ancienne Boulangerie and shares a rear wall with the l'ecurie at the end of the garden at chez-Thorp. The menu features local dishes. Everyone should dine at least once by candlelight in the romantic renaissance (literally renaissance!) courtyard.; Telephone: 04-68-78-00-54.
l'Oustal de Citou, Citou, 7 kilometres: This restaurant features 'cuisine familiale,' but it isn't likely your family meals were this good. Reservations are compulsory; the restaurant prepares only for the number of people expected each night. There are very limited and often no choices of food. You get what's being served, but we can assure you that it will be excellent. Take D620 north from the center of Caunes-Minervois toward Citou. The restaurant is on the right just after you enter Citou. The sign is small but the welcome is big.; Telephone: 04-68-78-08-99; E-Mail: l.oustal-citou@wanadoo.fr
Auberge de la Clamoux, Villeneuve, 6.0 kilometres: Cheerful and not expensive, this restaurant is frequented by the locals. Villeneuve is the next village to the west. Take D620 about three kilometres westward and turn right on D111. Enter the village and turn right at the T-junction. The restaurant is a few steps on the right. Closed Wednesday nights.; Telephone: 04-68-26-15-69.
Les Capitelles, Peyriac, 6 kilometers: While we cannot recommend the pizzéria in Caunes, this one nearby is exceptionally good. There's even a pizza made with honey, which should be tried, honest. Go East on D115 (the main street) to Trausse, then turn right on D55. At the T-junction in the village, turn right again. Les Capitelles is on the right side at the outskirts of the village. Open Thursday through Sunday nights.; Telephone: 04-68-78-29-77
la Bergerie, Aragon, 19 kilometres: Perhaps the most beautiful of the restaurants in the area, this recently opened delight is in the interesting village of Aragon, which is also the beginning for many delightful hikes. Not the least expensive, but perhaps the most elegant of the nearby restaurants, it specializes in regional dishes, with an ever-changing menu. It's a bit tricky to find. Go toward Carcassonne, turn right to Conques sur Orbiel, then on through Villegailhenc and turn left on D135 toward Aragon. When you reach Aragon, stay on the road toward Fraisse Cabardes. You'll see a number of signs pointing to la Bergerie, but unfortunately the most important one, which shows where to leave the main road, is a bit hard to find. Just before you leave Aragon, turn left behind the wine cooperative. The restaurant is to the right at the top of the hill. It's worth the hunt.; Telephone: 04-68-26-10-65; Website at www/labergeriearagon.com
Auberge de l'Arbousier, Homps, 20 Kilometres: Located along the Canal du Midi in Homps, this beautifully placed restaurant features excellent food with impeccable service. Be sure to take a post-prandial stroll along the canal. Drive East from Caunes to Trausse, turn right to Peyriac, left through Rieux and La Redorte and turn left on Highway D610. Turn into the village of Homps, and the restaurant is on your left.; Telephone: 04-68-91-11-24
Auberges des Lices, La Cité, 24 kilometres: This fine restaurant is a real find in La Cité, the heavily touristic part of Carcassonne. Hidden off on a side street, it provides excellent food at a reasonable price. Go into La Cité and look for the Museé d'Ecole near the church. The address is 3, rue Raymond Roger Trencavel, a side street adjoining the museum. This is like finding a really good small restaurant in Disneyland and, wonder of wonders, it's open on Sunday night.; Telephone: 04-68-72-34-07; e-mail: leslices@blasco.fr; website: http://www.blasco.fr
Sire de Cabaret, Roquefère, 23 kilometres: Located in the Cabarde Region, on the lower slopes of the Montagne Noire, in an area steeped in the history of the Cathares, this restaurant features a wood-burning oven and massive amounts of well prepared food. The apertif tray, which may be ordered as the first course, has to be seen to be believed. From Caunes, go East to Villeneuve. At the T-junction, turn left unto D111, following the signs to Chateau Lastours. Go past the Chateau, which really should be visited, to the village of Roquefère. The restaurant is on the left. Closed Wednesdays and Sunday nights, reservations are recommended.; Telephone: 04-68-26-31-89
Auberge de St. Martin, Beaufort, 23 Kilometres: In summer, this restaurant specializes in dishes grilled over a wood fire located in the courtyard. Sunday lunch under the trees is a treat everyone should experience. The cheerful dining room is more formal, but very comfortable. The menu often features game such as sanglier (wild boar) or pheasant. East from Caunes through Trausse and Pepieux to Olanzac; turn left on Route D910 toward Aigne. The restaurant is on the left inside the charming village of Beaufort. Reservations, especially for that Sunday lunch, are recommended.; E-Mail: charlyle@club-internet.fr; Telephone: 04-68-91-16-18
Lo Cagarole, Aigne, 28 kilometres: A "cagarole" is a snail in langue d'Oc, the ancient language from which the region takes its name. Cagarole refers not to the menu, but the traditional shape of the village, with houses built along a central street in the shape of a spiral as a defensive measure. The young chef, trained at starred restaurants in Paris, brings a very special touch to local cuisine. East from Caunes through Trausse and Pepieux to Olanzac; turn left on Route D910 toward Aigne. The restaurant is on the main street leading through the village.; Telephone: 04-68-27-84-22
Chantauvent, Minerve, 30 kilometres: Minerve is a beautiful ancient village perched on the edge of the canyon of the Cesse and is itself worth the trip, even if this lovely restaurant wasn't there. A bit pricey, but the food is excellent and the view quite spectacular. East from Caunes through Trausse to Olanzac, then turn north to Minerve following the well-signed road. You must enter the village on foot from the parking lot at one end of the bridge. Signs in the village lead you directly to the restaurant.; Telephone: 04-68-91-14-18
Auberge la Caleche, Peyrens, 60 Kilometres
: This is nearly an hour's drive away, but it's well worth it. A small place in a small village, the decor isn't outstanding, but the food is. One of the great bargains for a good meal is the 15,50€ luncheon. This is definitely a destination restaurant and reservations are essential in the summer. Head toward Carcassonne on D620, then West on RN 113 (the E. LeClerc roundabout.) Continue past Castelnaudary, then turn right toward Revel and Peyrens. Turn left in Peyrens at the sign pointing toward Auberge la Caleche.; Telephone: 04-68-60-40-13
There are countless other fine restaurants in the region. Perhaps you'll find your own favorite and let us know so we can include it in our list.