Auberge de l'Espérance

Good food improved by the use of delicate ingredients to give a tantalise to the palate. All locals when we visited, the restaurant has pleasing decor

We decided to eat here on our first night before cruising the canal and so glad we did. The food and service were exceptional. Even though there was a language barrier we managed to get exactly what we ordered and the way we wanted it...More

We really enjoyed an excellent dinner. The fish was very fresh and perfectly cooked. The starters were excellent and almost a meal in themselves. My steak was also very tasty and just as i like it. None of us could fit in dessert. Coffee was lovely and they even had decaff expresso. Would go again. View menu

We ate there a week ago. Run by a couple the wife is front of house and extremely welcoming. Its like dining in a large family front room. The food was simple but cleverly put together- i never has sorbet in a salad before! The pork was so tender my knife went straight through it. The hostess demonstrates a kind and inclusive approach to her guests.

We took a detour to Vermenton on our recent trip on the Canal du Nivernais and wondered what we would find for dinner in such a small town. Auberge de l'Esperance was a nice surprise - like stepping into someone's home for dinner. The set menu was great value, the servings hearty and delicious, the service bustling and efficient. A classic and memorable French countryside dining experience.

We ate here on a trip along the Nivernais canal. When I phoned to book I wasn't sure what to expect but we really enjoyed our mean which was great value and had some really good wine at a very reasonable price. It was a great shame to be the only ones in to eat but we has a great time and madam warmed to us as the meal went on. I'm sure she was having a good chuckle at our French but we got our message across. View menu

Our group ate at Auberge de l'Esperance for dinner on a Thursday public holiday. We had the place to ourselves and had great service. There was good variety on the menu even though the English translations included some interesting phrases. The entrees and mains came in big portions and were very tasty. It is a family run auberge with a good wine selection. The waitress was friendly and appreciated my efforts to speak French. We enjoyed a local Pinot Noir which was 25 euros. The kids meals consisted of adult style food e.g. Cordon Bleu and not nuggets and chips like many other restaurants.

Having read mixed reviews of this restaurant, we booked anyway and was pleased we did. Even the owner of the local brassiere( who did serbe evening meals) tried to put us off!! You enter into a room of a bygone age, which could be a salon in any french familys house. The owner/ chef has won many awards in his youth and he has not list his culinery touch. Served by his wife who is delightful. The food was presented exceptionally well with flavour to match. We had a smaller child with us and was served an amazing burger, and given a lovely ice lolly without being asked. They sure went out of their way to please. The menu is great and gave us a real giggle with the translations into english( th...

I should start by saying that we did indeed enjoy our meal at the Auberge. The owners are lovely, wine by the jug is cheap and delicious and the decor is one of a kind!Rereading some of the previous reviews I can pick up some subliminal clues on the food that I missed first time around. I would describe it as somewhere between home style French and quirky...although judging by the pictures and memorabilia on the walls the patron has a grander vision.To give you some ideas... the cervette entree consisted of absolutely beautiful handmade prawn 'spring rolls', sat atop a peculiar salad with canned tuna (see the pictures from other diners, you'll get the idea). The chicken main was equally deli... View menu