Villa de l'Étang Blanc

The terrace overlooks a small protected lake where birds drift past while you eat, and regulars treat the binoculars as seriously as the menu. This Michelin-starred restaurant in the Landes countryside runs on hyperlocal produce, duck and fish from named farms and small fishing boats, with a zero-waste kitchen keeping things honest. The wine list moves between big southwest appellations and small growers without making you feel quizzed about it.

One honor, in evidence: