The story
In the heart of Clermont-Ferrand, facing the Place Philippe Marcombes and steps from the town hall, Le Chardonnay catches the eye with its elegant blue facade – a nod to Parisian charm. Inside, the warmth of wood (from the parquet floor to the polished shelves and counter) creates an atmosphere that is both convivial and refined. The restaurant wears its Bib Gourmand 2026 award with quiet confidence, a mark of quality and value that speaks for itself.
Behind the stove, chef Maxence Larivière reimagines French classics with a contemporary touch. His cooking stays true to tradition while daring to interpret, appealing to lovers of both authentic and modern cuisine. The menu changes with the seasons, but expect starters like pan-fried gnocchi with basil eggplant and red pesto, or a green blini with melon and dried beef, finished with a smoked yogurt sauce. Mains include a lamb parmentier with gremolata and a grilled daurade fillet with tomato fregola and a warm cassis-lime vinaigrette. Desserts range from a praline soufflé with peach sorbet to a dark chocolate-pistachio entremet with verbena shortbread.
Le Chardonnay also offers a carefully curated wine list, from grand crus to more intimate cuvées. The midday menu (entrée, plat, dessert) is a well-priced introduction to the chef’s style, while the evening menu showcases seasonal dishes like braised beef paleron with summer vegetable gratin and chimichurri, or rouget fillets with beetroot-strawberry and confit lemon hollandaise. Everything is made in-house, a commitment that underpins the restaurant’s reputation for honest, elevated cooking.
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