Restaurant Château Les Carrasses Quarante

To celebrate my birthday, we chose the Château Les Carrasses restaurant, nestled near the picturesque village of Quarante, in the heart of the Hérault vineyards. Housed in a former 18th-century cellar, this restaurant combines rustic elegance and gastronomic expertise to offer a delicious and refined getaway.

History and Context of the Château Les Carrasses Quarante Restaurant

Originally a 19th-century wine estate, Château Les Carrasses has been restored to become an exceptional place to stay and share. Its restaurant, awarded 2 Toques and 14/20 in the Gault & Millau guide, demonstrates a commitment to quality and creative cuisine.

terrace-du-restaurant — restaurant terrace

The Chef and his Cuisine of the Château Les Carrasses Quarante restaurant

Willy Benjamin, who trained with Michelin-starred chefs like Alain Ducasse, works here with a short supply chain approach. He promotes local producers and reinterprets Mediterranean flavours with finesse and modernity.

The Culinary Experience

Restaurant menu at Chateau Les Carrasses

Sarah’s Menu (52 Euros)

Starter: Green asparagus from Domaine de la Fourcade, trout gravlax with citrus and confit duck egg.
Main course: Roasted Mediterranean Dentex, creamy celeriac with Granny Smith apples and glazed celeriac, Choron sauce.
Dessert: Lemon in the spirit of a meringue tart.

Amuse-Bouche

Green asparagus from Domaine de la Fourcade, trout gravlax with citrus
and confit duck egg

Roasted Mediterranean pink Dentex, creamy celeriac with Granny Smith
and glazed celeriac, Choron sauce

pre-dessert

Lemon in the spirit of a meringue pie

Olivier’s Menu (52 Euros)

Starter: Tartlet of green vegetables from our garden and ricotta with château herbs.
Main Course: Saddle of Pyrenean lamb in a bread crust, 72-hour confit shoulder, fresh goat cheese cromesquis and spring vegetables.
Dessert: Morello cherry mousse, Kalingo chocolate ganache and cherry sorbet, homemade tuile.

Amuse Bouche

Tartlet of green vegetables from our vegetable garden and ricotta with herbs from the château

Saddle of Pyrenean lamb in a bread crust, 72-hour confit shoulder, fresh goat cheese cromesquis and spring vegetables

Pre-dessert

Morello cherry mousse, Kalingo chocolate ganache and cherry sorbet, homemade tuile

Each plate showcased high-quality products: asparagus, tender lamb, tangy citrus fruits… The cooking was perfect and the presentation was meticulous, despite the seasoning being often too subtle and could have done with a little more character.

The Setting and Atmosphere

Housed in the stone vaults of the old wine cellar, the restaurant combines historic arches with contemporary furnishings. Its terrace offers panoramic views of the pool and vineyards, with the Pyrenees Mountains as a backdrop on clear days: an ideal setting for a birthday dinner.

Practical Advice

Opening Hours: April–October: Lunch 12pm–2pm / Dinner 7pm–9:30pm

Low Season: Closed Monday and Tuesday

Address: Route de Capestang, 34310 Quarante

Attire: Smart casual (avoid swimsuits and flip-flops). Bar open from 11am, takeout and delivery service.

Reservations strongly recommended: +33 4 67 00 00 67 or resa@lescarrasses.com

Chateau website here

My Personal Opinion

Château Les Carrasses boasts a beautiful, postcard-perfect setting. The food is generally good, but for a venue of this calibre, it lacks seasoning and originality: dishes were often lukewarm and too conservative in their combinations. For a more refined and adventurous menu, my heart remains with L’Auberge de la Croisade: A Hidden Jewel Along the Canal du Midi 2025.