Les Courtines — Restaurant in Sarlat-la-Canéda

Les Courtines gave us one of the simplest and most wonderful lunches of our trip so far. Everything about it felt just right. The setting was picture-perfect, outdoor seating with a front-row seat to the Dordogne’s vibrant flow and the quiet charm of La Roque-Gageac. No rush, birds singing, just beauty all around. • The food was honest, fresh, and full of flavour. We had a delicious soring tartine that was absolutely lovely. Fresh lemon ricotta paired with asparagus on crusty toast, a combination that was both light and satisfying. Then we finished with some local treats… A rich, creamy walnut ice cream (this is walnut country, after all) and a perfect cannelé. Crisp and deeply caramelized on the outside, soft and custardy on the inside, with a whisper of vanilla and a hint of rum. Simple pleasures done just right. • Lastly, the service was wonderful, that alone would bring us back. Warm, joyful, and genuinely welcoming. • This lunch was a gentle reminder that you do not always need a fancy, three-course affair to experience something truly special. A peaceful setting, fresh ingredients, and happy people, sometimes that is...

Went here at 7 when they opened and got seated. Soon after tables started filling in and by then we had water and an order was placed. We got a 2 person plate (which was good if you like sheep cheese) and bread. After we finished a basket of bread it was hard to get a waiter's attention and felt like we were being ignored. We then ordered dinner and waited an hour for it to come out. While we waited every single table around us had gotten dinner and some even had dessert. For me it was not worth the wait the food was too sweet and needed salt. Eveyone else liked theirs which was good. After we finished it again took a waiter a long time to come to us. We ordered dessert which came around quickly and it was really good for everyone. I don't think we realised we had to go up to the counter/kitchen area to pay so we sat there for a while waiting until we caught on. Overall it was not very good...

Immense déception.

On nous avait recommandé ce restaurant, apparemment une belle adresse avec un cadre agréable et une cuisine de qualité. On appelle pour réserver une table de 12 personnes (7 adultes et 5 enfants), et là, dès qu’on annonce le nombre, le ton change immédiatement :

“12 ? Non, c’est trop, ça va mettre le feu aux cuisines.”

Franchement, on tombe de haut. On n’a même pas eu le temps d’expliquer quoi que ce soit qu’on sentait déjà qu’on n’était pas les bienvenus. Alors on a tenté d’être conciliants : on a proposé que les enfants soient servis dès le début, pour simplifier le service. On a vraiment tout fait pour s’adapter et montrer notre bonne volonté. Refus catégorique. Pas de solution, pas d’effort, zéro envie d’accueillir une famille pourtant organisée, calme, respectueuse.

On est passionnés de bonne cuisine et de bons vins, on avait envie de passer un bon moment, et à la place on a eu droit à un mur d’indifférence et de mépris.

Ce n’est pas seulement une question de logistique ou de cuisine — c’est une question de mentalité. Et là-dessus, c’est clair : on n’a rien vu de l’esprit d’un vrai restaurant.

Et pour couronner le tout, les personnes qui nous avaient recommandé cette adresse sont des habitués, et ils sont eux aussi choqués du traitement que nous avons reçu. Ils ont clairement dit qu’ils ne reviendraient plus.

➡️ Si vous êtes plus de 4, ou si vous espérez un accueil...