Nantes Restaurants

  1. Bateaux Nantais

    For a romantic night out and about, glide along the River Erdre with an ever-changing view of chateaux as you dine aboard Bateaux Nantais , accompanied by ambient music, local Muscadet wines, and chef-prepared regional specialties. There are regular departures in summer; in winter boats operate only when there are sufficient numbers.

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  2. Brasserie La Cigale

    No visit to Nantes is complete without a café and cake or all-out feast at the Art Nouveau showpiece, La Cigale - several salons of original 1890s gilded tilework and frescoed ceilings, attended by white-apronned waiters. The name comes from the cautionary fable of the cigale (cicada) and the ant, in which the cicada is too busy enjoying himself to plan for the winter ahead. But this lavish brasserie embraces the cicada wholeheartedly - just allow plenty of time to savour the experience.

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  3. Crêperie l'Île Mystérieuse

    Jules Verne's legacy lives on at this lovely little place in the town centre serving crêpes with local cheeses and cured hams amid décor like a hot-air balloon, old-fashioned maps and books lining uneven stone walls glittering with coins.

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  4. La Civelle

    Overlooking the river in the village-like quarter of Trentemoult, La Civelle is a buzzing designer place of burnished chrome, funky light fittings, and art exhibits, serving contemporary market fare like spiced smoked salmon.

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  5. La Guingette

    On weekends especially, drop by La Guingette, when locals congregate for board-game tournaments, French tapas, and a drink at the boat-shaped timber bar. It's across the river in the village-like quarter of Trentemoult.

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  7. La Petite Épicerie

    One half of this petite shopfront is stocked high with homemade jams and preserves and glass jars of sugared hearts; the other half has a clutch of wooden tables. If you're easing into the day, it's a great place for a late breakfast; at lunch it serves fabulous fresh fish.

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  8. Le Bistrot de l'Écrivain

    Splashed in shades of red, with checked-clothed tables and wine bottles lining the walls, Le Bistrot de l'Écrivain serves authentic Nantaise cuisine like sandre (pike) in beurre blanc (white sauce), as well as fine foie gras.

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  9. Le Sélect

    A spiral wooden staircase leads to an upper mezzanine level at this arty café/restaurant/ salon de thé, with mellow jazz playing in the background. The huge sandwich board is chalked with daily specials including reliable favourites like salads, steak and fries.

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  10. Ma Seaison Préfere

    Though not exclusively vegetarian, this little lemon- and lime-coloured hole-in-the-wall is a great place for homemade vegetable tarts and lasagnes. At lunchtime, its nine tables fill quickly.

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  11. Rêve Marins

    Accompanied by an outstanding list of local wines, this much-lauded place combines classic crêpes and buckwheat galettes with very un-classic (but delicious) fillings like chicken curry, or kangaroo and Muscadet grapes.

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