Channel France

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 Places to Eat in Brittany

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Special but Informal

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Cancale

Le Narval    

We were encouraged to visit Le Narval by the owner's parents who sat next to us on the Solidor sailing from Jersey where they had had a day out.  Their pride in their son is justified!  A huge mural of this gentleman, complete with his handle bar moustache appears on the restaurant wall.  Always packed with diners, it is as well to reserve.  The food is first rate.  Try the Menu Clin d'Oiel with its surprise dessert.

Cancale 20 quai Gambetta +33 299-896312

La Grande Large

Moules are wonderful as is all the food on offer.  Owner is friendly and creates ambience and a lively atmosphere.  Plenty of indoor and Al Fresco eating space under cover.  Found at the far end of the Cancale seafront run of restaurants - the end furthest from the oyster beds - this restaurant is well worth visiting.  

Cancale 4 Quai J. Cartier +33 299-898290

Dinan and Surrounds

Pizzeria Cecco

Found in the rue de la Poissonnerie in Dinan Cecco's has always been a firm favourite with families and couples.  The restaurant serves first class Italian food and the pasta dishes and pizzas are excellent.  There are a selection of meat dishes for main courses as well and the starters are fantastic - try the Surprise Italien or the Prawn Cocktail with palm hearts! Cecco's has ambience, is child friendly, has plenty of seating and in the winter a log fire is lit in the traditional Breton granite fireplace.

Dinan 15 rue de la Poissonnerie 22100 Dinan +33 296-851532

Le Shetland

Combines an English Pub atmosphere with French food.  A particularly good place to dine with children.   In addition to the many selections of main courses,  you can cook the meat of your choice yourself on a charcoal filled table top brazier.   Delicious sauces accompany this meal.  You get the range of vegetables we "funny" English favour.

La Hisse  (close to Taden and Dinan) +33 296854240

L'Effet Mer - was Le Ty Corentin

This restaurant at Port Lyvet, popular with Channel Islanders, has just changed hands and is now run by Stephan and his sister Lawrence. 

Situated at Port Lyvet on the Rance,  the restaurant and bar has a large deck area  where customers can sit on sunny days and eat and drink whilst watching the river and world go by. 

Totally refurbished,  the character of the bar - beams and log fire - is retained with crimson walls and beautiful lighting. The restaurant has been vastly improved and skilful decor is complemented by beautiful place settings!  Food is wonderful!  The picture on the left shows the improvements being made to the terrace which is being partly covered and heated for colder days. Place for full meals, snacks, coffees and drinks and will provide a delightful surprise for its regular clientele this year!

One new and useful addition to the business will be an Epicerie (Grocery Shop) in what was the games area of the premises.  This will be very much welcomed by boat owners from the adjacent marina and holiday makers renting gites in the area.

Port Lyvet  22690 Vicomté sur Rance  (close to Taden and Dinan)

+33 296832110

Chez Theo

Excellent value and quality on all days but on Cous-Cous day you cannot move for lorry drivers.  When you try the Cous-Cous you will realise why.  Excellent value.  Only opens at lunchtimes.  Choice is limited to two menus with two main courses to choose from but do not worry they are excellent and you will not miss anything.  Husbands do the cooking and wives run front of house.

Plouer sur Rance +33 296-869167

Dinard and Surrounds

Golf de Tremereuc

Even if you are not a golfer you can enjoy the restaurant at the Garden Golf at Tremereuc, close to Pleurtuit Airport.  Florence and Albert produce delightful food and serve good wines! Their menus contain some surprisingly tasty items which are different from the normal local menus and representative of food dishes further into France and for chip lovers their chips are deliciously home made Prices are reasonable and there is also a snack menu including steak and chips, omelettes etc. Either sit inside the restaurant or on the terrace in the sunshine.  The terrace is surrounded by landscaped gardens with a view of the beautifully landscaped course. 

Tremereuc 14 rue de Dinan (D766) between Airport, Pleurtuit and Ploubalay

+33 2 96 27 10 40 www.golfbretagne.com

Le Bechet

This little restaurant on the seafront at St. Briac sur Mer. The food is wonderful, the atmosphere is as well

St Briac sur Mer  +33 299883874

Le Petit Port

Down by the marina at Dinard, The Petit Port advertise their name on a barrel at the entrance to the road.  There is a small marina here and the Yacht Club.  Imaginative interior, with hand painted mural of Picasso type bathers. 

Food is classic French and impressive but interspersed with  some oriental dish such as Soupe de Citronelles and Crevettes - which is like a Tom Yam soup and Beef Sate which is  another Thai style dish of spicy beef with rice. Moules come in a  choice of three styles and are always

tasty. Mainly a la carte - listed on a  blackboard but there is a  menu of the day which is superb value. Food is wonderful, staff are wonderful and the restaurant has a good atmosphere and a superb view of the water and St Malo the other side of the bay.

Dinard Quai de la Perle,  Port de Plaisance +33 299-461641

La Gonelle

La Gonelle is situated on the Promenade du Clair du Lune in Dinard.  Opening between May and October, the restaurant describes itself as an Oyster, Lobster and Seafood Bar where you can eat or take your food away.  Well it is the most upmarket "take-away" we know!  It is possible to sit outside on the little terrace, enjoy the view and the superb seafood menu.  The restaurant specialises in fish and has a huge sea water aquarium where your main course may be swimming!  Lucie, a charming waitress from the "Midi" in France,  is seen pictured here in front of the aquarium doing what she says is a "fish" imitation.  The preparation and presentation of the dishes is first class  and includes dishes such as Sea Bass served between layers of filo pastry,  Cotriade, or Lobster

Dinard Promenade du Clair de Lune  +33 2 99 16 40 47

La Passerelle

La Passerelle is the sister restaurant to La Gonelle and as its name indicates is a passageway.  However this passageway serves a range of Carpacio and Sushi that will delight those who enjoy marinated or raw fish and meat.  For those whose tastes differ there are alternatives although the restaurant concentrates mainly on the two styles mentioned.   The decor is a combination of purples and mauves and very attractive.  The view - particularly at night time - is fabulous.  Service is good and so are the wines which are served in glasses with purple stems encrusted with vines and grapes. La Passerelle is entered via steps from the Promenade Clair du Lune located just before La Gonelle.

Dinard Promenade du Clair de Lune

Evran - close to Dinan

Le Vieux Chien Noir (The Old Black Dog)

The premises comprise a bar and restaurant with English influence.  Sunday lunches are very popular so book in advance. 

Bed and Breakfast is also offered in this location ideally situated  half way between St Malo and Rennes with a bus stop right outside, for trips to Rennes or Dinan and Dinard.

Click here to read owner Caroline Carver's account of how a Jersey Couple have adapted to running an English/French Pub and Restaurant.

Brittany Evran Department 22  Tel: +33 2 96 27 43 16

Plancöet and Surrounds

Les Deux Moulins

This is a gastronomically rewarding place to go for Sunday Lunch. The very reasonably priced menu commences with Amuse Bouche, Amuse Guelle, then starter, main course, cheese and desserts.  Starters include Fruits de Mer or half a Lobster or Crayfish. If you cannot decide on which dessert to choose have the Gourmet or is it Gourmand plate, then you can try just about all of them. Not the place for anyone on a diet.  Good vegetables again!  Also excellent choice and value in the week with equally extensive and excellent menus both in content and price.

Crehen +33 296-841540

Ploubalay

Café des Sports

Called Le Café des Sports and many people still call it by this name, the restaurant received the most favourable review in the Financial Times which it certainly deserved.. Always packed with diners at lunch time.  Sea Food is amazing.  Value is amazing.  A variety of vegetables appear on your plate. You will want to go back there again. Monday is official closure day but a workmen's menu is served.  The restaurant has just changed hands but we are advised that the same excellent menu is available.

Ploubalay +33 296-272007

Le Château d'Ho

The restaurant is in the top of the water tower.  Food is simple but excellent - prices reflect this.  The menu includes 2 pages of gallettes with innumerable fillings including scallops flambéed in Calvados, salads and Grillades.  The Grillades are mostly steak but come with a choice of sauces ranging from pepper to more exciting ones prepared specially by the establishment.  Desserts are heavenly and there is a page of mouth-watering crepes to choose from. A place for morning coffee and afternoon teas and ice creams as well as meals. I will mention the view however - from the observation area, which encircles the restaurant inside - one can see all around the area as far as Mont St Michel, Dinan and St Jacut!  Le Château d'Ho is siutated in Ploubalay which is close to the airport at Pleurtuit and Dinard.

Ploubalay +33 296-273117

Saint Malo

Borgnefesse Taverne

Serves principally fish dishes.  The restaurant has been revamped considerably since the change of proprietor - from the irascible Jacques Yves Cadiou.  The old nautical and extremely lively bistro has become a calmer and more sophisticated place to eat.  The food is very good and the new owners charming.

St Malo (intra muros) 10 Rue du Puits aux Braies, +33 299-4005 05

Le Chalut

Le Chalut is considered to be the best fish restaurant in St Malo.  It is reasonably formal and the menu comprises fish dishes.  The cuisine is excellent and for fish lovers this is a delight.  Sauces are excellent and they are proud of their standards. 

St Malo (intra muros) 8 rue de la Corne de Cerf +33 299567158  

Very Special but Informal

le Bistrot du Viaduct

You must go here!!!!  The restaurant is just across the Viaduct at Dinan and has panoramic views over the River Rance. Henri and Annick are the husband and wife team who own the Bistrot du Viaduct.  Standards are superb.  Restaurant decor is a copy of Monet's house at Giverny.  Dishes are a copy of no-ones, they are exclusively Henri's - owner and chef who has won countless culinary awards.  Henri cooks in the bar in front of diners and keeps a horse whip close by for those customers who get out of hand.

Dinan

+33 296-859500

Very Special  !!  Wallets at the ready !!

Le Crouzil

I am told this was Brittany's choice for entertaining Tony Blair.  Le Crouzil has a Whisky waiter. Locals say "Oooh" when you mention it and I will leave you to find out for yourself about the food.  450 bottle wine list!  VERY UPMARKET.

Plancouet

+33 296-841024