Café de la Gare Bonnieux — Restaurant in Apt

Four stars because this is not a Michelin rated restaurant, rather a great lunch place to enjoy with friends. Cafe de la Gare is located between Goult/Lumières and the road to Bonnieux, the turning from the D 900 circle, go right just after the bike path. In fact it is the perfect place to stop on the wonderful Cavaillon to Apt bike route. Please if you are sweaty, chose an appropriate table. You can stop on the terrace out front for a citron pressé, a cold beer, or just some bottled water.

I have spent seventeen years here, in Goult, and years ago (it seems) this location was a jammed insiders secret, including local workmen having their hearty meal of the day. Then the lovely couple just wore out and regrettably sold out. Tears were shed. Everything changed: all the lovely old Provençal touches, the vine laden tonnelle, the wall murals disappeared (hearts fell) prices went up on an ambitious kitchen that missed the mark, at least to their loyal customers who abandoned all hope. Since then the restaurant changed either ownership or management or chefs, several times but never good or better. Pierre Cardin got hold of it and did a major renovation to all the adjacent buildings. We still can't tell what for: it's just what he does in our little Luberon. So as of late last summer, the Cafe raised the bar and the rumors started that it was now getting its footing.

Today I finally tried the new kitchen and it was a total success. There is a "salad bar" called a buffet which can be ordered as a single meal for about 12€ and it could easily be enough. For 20€ I had the plat du jour and buffet, choosing the fresh trout filet on a coulis of carrots: excellent. My friend had a pork dish with mashed potatoes, she loved it. No opinion on Dessert but a selection of boutique ice creams are available. The liter bottle of fizzy water is vastly overpriced even in this expensive area of Provence: skip it and just enjoy the cool table water.

The restaurant is only open for lunch so call ahead to check hours. Right now you could probably walk in but I hope that soon you will need reservations. They are ready for a full house and the staff speaks English.

Yes, The old Cafe de la Gare is gone, but the new is not too modern and the back terrace is spacious and shady and the old bar in front is still ancient and beautiful. The WC facilities are excellent (One new feature that was needed, to be honest). I highly recommend this haven of peace with plenty of parking and...

This place used to be amazing. My family and I visit every summer, and it was like paradise: the view, the beautiful tables, the amazing ‘plat du jour’ for only €14.

Coming back today was the biggest disappointment ever. Apparently it has new owners. Plastic chairs and tables… we wanted to order from the menu, but we had to take the Buffet à Volonté for lunch, which is €24,50! It wasn’t even fresh homemade food, and all the desserts were gone because they had had ‘trouble with delivery’. Eventually they refilled it with another simple dessert, but none of us liked it.

I am sad that this place has changed so much and i will not...

Lovely setting, nice dining room, but understaffed and food underseasoned. Only one person working the dining room, thank goodness it was only 60% full. The website advertises menus at e25 and e32, but they were e29,50 and e39,50 today. The menu starter was OK, the pork chop main also, just uninspired. Two plates from the carte cost 14 and 28, for an average pate and an average if not a bit dry...