Mikyle Quizon
Secret Foodie Places in Brittany
Of course, it’s far from a secret that Brittany is something of a mecca for lovers of fine food. But just like the world’s other foodie hotspots, there are certain places in and around Brittany that outshine others.
Brittany is a trendy starting point for Brits holidaying in France, especially if you’ve traveled across with Brittany Ferries. Much of the cuisine of this area of France is based around the finest seafood found anywhere in the world – everything from fish soups to crabs to amazing oysters and the most extraordinary langoustines. In fact, it’s pretty hard to go wrong, but if you’re out to find something truly spectacular and wholly above the average, which are the kinds of places you should be heading to?
Brittany, France
Well, as far as the experts are concerned, you simply cannot head to this part of France without checking out the local markets and artisan stores that undoubtedly sell some of the finest produce in all of France. You are never too far away from the sea, which in turn means that when it comes to getting your hands on incredibly fresh seafood of every imaginable variety, there’s really nowhere in the world that does it better. Nevertheless, while cooking up a storm for yourself is always enjoyable and rewarding, it’s also a good idea to treat yourself to a taste of the finest local delicacies served up by those who know them best.
Chances are even the smallest of local cafes will blow you away with the quality of even the most basic menu items up for grabs, but for something that little bit more decadent, be sure to try out one of the following 10 serious foodie favorites:
La Criée, Port-Maria
La Criée, Port-Maria
Routinely rated one of the best places in the region, if not in the whole of France, to sample the freshest fish prepared with real finesse, La Criée is absolutely unmissable. The menu is updated daily in accordance with what is freshest at the time, while the on-site smokehouse and fish shop tend to be used by many of the best restaurants in France and the country’s most prestigious chefs. A simple and cozy restaurant with prices that belie the quality of the food.
La Fleur de Sel ruled, Quimper
La Fleur de Sel ruled.
It’s probably fair to say that this hidden beauty feels less like a restaurant and, to some extent, like an upper-class cafeteria. However, it never fails to serve the most decadent and incredible food of a fine dining standard. Along with the outstanding fish and seafood dishes, this is also a fantastic place to head for some of the region’s best meat.
Aux-Pesked, Saint-Brieuc
Aux-Picked
Not only does this place offer an extraordinary array of incredible seafood dishes, but it also boasts one of the most spectacular views from the outside terrace, which is an absolute sun-trap throughout the summer. This is definitely the place to head for spider crab, sea bream and langoustines,
La Table De Breizh Café, Cancale
La Table de Jeanne, Vannes
Slightly different than some of the above-mentioned eateries, this is the place to head for what are widely considered to be the most spectacular crêpes you will find anywhere in the region. The combination of Tsarskaya oysters served with buckwheat pancakes, all with the signature twist of Japanese chef Fumio Kudaka really does take some beating. If you’re looking for a taste of the region’s finest cuisine prepared and served in the most provoking and memorable ways possible, few places in Brittany do it better than this.
La Gonelle, Dinard
La Gonelle
Another wonderful location to soak up the sun when the weather is on your side and enjoy a genuinely inspiring view while dining on generous servings of lobster and shrimp. This also happens to be one of the few places in its class and operates a full-service restaurant.
Le Coquillage, Saint-Meloir-Des-Ondes
Le Coquillage
Home to undoubtedly one of France’s most talented and prestigious chefs, the menu at this place uses the finest local ingredients – seafood especially – and brings them to life with incredible combinations of exotic spices and other ingredients sourced from all over the world. The backdrop of the bay behind makes for a true soul-stirring and enchanting dining experience.
Le Cosy, Quimper
Le Cosy
There will always be those cafeterias and restaurants that do not exactly live up to their name – this, however, is a real exception to the rule. Without any shadow of a doubt, one of the coziest and most welcoming bistros anywhere in France, what these guys can do with both seafood and meat is truly spectacular. The location is to die for, and so is the duck.
L’étrave, Cléden-Cap-Sizun
L’étrave, Cléden-Cap-Sizun
You’d be forgiven for walking through the front door here and immediately getting the impression that you’d accidentally walked into somebody’s private home. But that’s just the kind of comfort and warmth this place is all about, which despite its rather deceptive appearance, is famed across France for serving perhaps the finest creamed lobster you will ever taste.
La Table de Jeanne, Vannes
breizh cafe galette
Incredibly friendly and always extremely busy with a tangible buzz in the air, La Table de Jeanne has become a place to see and a place to be seen over recent years. The menu changes daily in accordance with what is fresh at the time, and the expert kitchen team brings together the flavors of France with accents from all over the world.
L’Écume des Jours, Roscoff
L’Écume des Jours, Roscoff
Finally, another serious contender when it comes to incredible settings to enjoy some of the most outstanding food in France is this striking Roscoff restaurant. Famed for adding a fantastic 21st-century touch to some of the most classic and important staples in regional cuisine, expert chefs bring together the very finest flavors from the sea and the land in perfect harmony.
It’s also a wonderful restaurant to head to during any season of the year with its beautifully cozy fireplace and outstanding unbroken sea views.
