MICHEL ROUX JR
Michelin-starred head chef of Le Gavroche (le-gavroche.co.uk)

Sophisticated simplicity is the only way to describe Le Lisita. It’s simply beautiful. Right in the centre of Nîmes, it has a huge, magical terrace with great views of the town’s Roman arena. The restaurant, which has a Michelin star, is run by two ex-Le Gavroche members of staff, Stéphane Debaille and Olivier Douet.

The whole menu is divine, but it’s the speciality dishes, particularly the salt cod and a wonderfully full-flavoured bull, that make me go back again and again. And if you need any more reasons why you should dine there, the locally sourced wine list is phenomenal.

Le Lisita, 2B Boulevard des Arènes, Nîmes, France; 00 33 4 66 67 29 15, lelisita.com; mains from £32

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TERENCE CONRAN
Restaurateur and designer (conran.com)

I could happily give you a top 10 of good places to eat in France, but if pushed for one, a particular favourite is Michel Bras’s place in Laguiole, in the Aveyron region. He runs the beautiful restaurant, which also has a hotel, with his son, and the food is exceptional.

The menu follows the traditional rural recipes he’s been cooking since he was a child, and a visit is always a real treat — it’s miles from anywhere, but always worth a detour. The wine list is impressive but well priced and the views out of the restaurant are stunning and dramatic. The space is comfortable and relaxed, with large chairs and simple, elegant table settings. An almost perfect French restaurant.

Route de l’Aubrac, Laguiole; 00 33 5 65 44 31 11, michel-bras.com; mains from £100

TOM PARKER BOWLES
Author of Full English: A Journey Through the British and Their Food

When I was working on my last book, The Year of Eating Dangerously, it was basically an excuse to eat my way around the world. In Laos, I found this noodle stall called Madame Nom’s on the outskirts of Luang Prabang. It’s just a tiny rattan roadside shack on the right-hand side of the main road running into the city.

It does the best noodle soup with buffalo broth and it costs just 50p. In fact, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. I would absolutely go back there given the chance. Everyone in the city knows of it, but if you’re unsure, ask Ivan at the Apsara hotel and he’ll direct you. In fact, the Apsara is a great place to stay while in Luang — it’s not too stuffy.

The Apsara, Luang Prabang, Laos; 00 856 71 254670, theapsara.com; doubles from £44, minimum two-night stay

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