This is our favorite restaurant in Burgundy. For us, it’s a must-visit. They serve simple food with big (not solely French) flavors and one of the best lists of traditional and natural wines in France.
The restaurant isn’t in downtown Beaune, which only adds to its charm. Located in Savigny-Les-Beaune on a tree-lined street, we always make a point to stop here to sit in the pea gravel courtyard with little tables and pour over the day’s menu, handwritten on a chalkboard. The empty wine bottles that line the edge of the courtyard and twinkle lights that turn on at night are a constant reminder of the fact that they have three difficult-to-book rooms and magical dinners – if you can get a reservation.
We’ve tasted many dishes in the course of our visits including a flaky tomato tart, fresh tomato, peach, and olive salad, a unique beef tartar topped with seaweed, and the tenderest chou farci.
Le Soleil is owned by the family behind Domaine Simone Bize, so you’re ensured to always find a bottle you’ll love from on the list. El Soleil is also one of the few restaurants that serve Tomoko Kuriyama and Guillaume Bott’s Chanterêves wines. We love their wines, and it’s tough to purchase them. Guillaume is also the winemaker for Bize.
Lola Taboury-Bize is at the helm of the restaurant. She’s a lovely host and speaks English. Our first visit to Le Soleil was before we learned French, and it was effortless to order and ask questions.
We always opt for dessert here. You can make their financier almond cake with a big dollop of whipped cream at home. Get the recipe in The Taste Edit’s digital magazine Issue 2.
Le Soleil, 1 All. des Tilleuls, 21420 Savigny-lès-Beaune, France, @le_soleil_savignylesbeaune