The 15 Must-Try Restaurants in Nantes

This Michelin-starred gem, nestled in a vine-covered historic manor just north of the city, received a modern refresh four years ago when the former owner's son, Mathieu Pérou, took the reins. With his sister, Anne-Charlotte, overseeing the dining experience, the 28-year-old chef and his team craft innovative dishes using ingredients from nearly 40 local producers along the Erdre river—ranging from lamb and seaweed to freshwater fish. Their commitment to sustainability earned them a Green Star from the Michelin Guide in 2021.   []

If you’re not in the mood for an extensive wine bar or bistro setting, check out this cave à vin and delicatessen. Featuring natural and biodynamic wines, homemade terrine, and weekly rotating tourtes, it’s a local gem. Their rotisserie chicken and pommes dauphines are a Sunday staple in the area. Dine in or grab to-go options along with jars of jam, preserves, condiments, and fresh local produce. [$]

At British chef Dominic Quirke’s neo-bistro, which has been delighting diners for seven years, the focus is on celebrating local ingredients while infusing international influences, often highlighted through sweet and sour flavor profiles. With fresh produce from the region's top fishermen, butchers, and growers, menu items range from hake pad thai with cauliflower and zucchini to spiced lamb tortellini in a chickpea chorba soup. Due to its popularity, securing last-minute reservations can be challenging, so be sure to book in advance. [$$]

This establishment, led by chef Richard Cornet, showcases a unique flair for Klein blue hues and rococo Jean Paul Gaultier textiles, combined with a keen eye for modern ceramics and artistic plating. The lunch and dinner menus, featuring three to five courses, are always evolving. You might start with a chicken liver terrine, enjoy red mullet with fennel, carrot, and passionfruit as your main, and conclude with a matcha quince calamansi pavlova. [$$]

This renowned fine pastry shop in the city is managed by two former Parisians seeking a change from the bustling dessert scene. Chef Julien Merceron, with his extensive background from À La Mère de Famille and the Michelin-starred kitchens at Ritz Paris, collaborates with florist-turned-pâtissier Gérard Porte, who adds his artistic touch to a seasonal range of modern twists on classic pastries, including Saint-Honoré and tarte tatin. The shop also offers a selection of shortbread cookies, chocolates, and candies, along with a tea salon where you can enjoy locally roasted coffee, Brittany ciders, or fine teas. [$]

Ingrid Deffein and Guillaume Decombat transformed a creperie into one of the city’s most exciting neo-bistros, featuring an elegant yet understated design. The focus here is on the food, which is as visually stunning as it is diverse. Much of the menu pays tribute to the local area: vegetables sourced from Les Vergers du Bois Macé, just northeast of the city, and fish from the nearby Atlantic Coast. Anticipate vibrant combinations like tomatoes prepared in various ways paired with black olive tapenade and yuzu tapioca; a perfectly soft-boiled egg resting on a bed of asparagus and smoked croutons; or line-caught white tuna marinated in tiger’s milk, garnished with apricots and almonds. [$$]

Before gaining national fame as a finalist on Top Chef, Sarah Mainguy co-founded this beloved cave à manger in the Bouffay district. Here, she presents laid-back, plant-centric small plates that she describes as “funky,” paired with specialty coffee and natural, biodynamic wines sourced from local producers by her partner, Damien Crémois. If you’re fortunate, the menu might feature a mix of potatoes, chard, and sea beans with egg yolk and hazelnut emulsion; hay-roasted carrots in a caramelized onion sauce served on cardamom-infused spelt; and a pepper cream adorned with cherries, dehydrated meringue wrapped in nori, and purple basil. [$$]

After honing her skills with Michelin-starred chefs Gérald Passedat and Alexandre Mazzia in Marseille, Lucie Berthier Gembara returned to her hometown to establish this relaxed neo-bistro in the city center. The menu evolves with the seasons, emphasizing vegetables and seafood. You might find dishes like green gazpacho paired with fresh goat cheese and summer savory; smoked pollack served with roasted broccoli, black gnocchi, and squash in a saffron sabayon; and for dessert, homemade labneh topped with za’atar and fig-olive tapenade. If the weather permits, ask for a terrace table and opt for the Grand Voyage menu featuring six courses that showcase Gembara’s culinary talent. [$$]

After a decade in Paris, chef Jean-François Pantaleon traded the city life (and his beloved neo-bistro Coretta) for the Graslin neighborhood in central Nantes. In 2017, he opened his new gastronomic bistro in a beautifully designed space featuring exposed brick, large mirrors, and plush banquettes, earning a Michelin star in 2021. The menu changes frequently, but you can always expect the chef's signature ris de veau, grilled to perfection on one side and tender on the other, served alongside seasonal vegetables. Reservations are strongly advised. [$$]

This laid-back counterpart to chef Anthony Nguyen’s Izakaya Joyi, Ramen Ya is a narrow ramen bar that buzzes with activity all day long. You can opt for pork, chicken, or vegetable broth for the fantastic iekei ramen, crafted from local rice flour, and don't forget to add gyoza or chashu don to your order. Grab a seat at the counter as soon as you can; this spot fills up quickly. [$]

Céline Mingam’s straightforward, market-inspired cuisine garnered attention in Arles before she opened this cozy bistro nestled between Nantes’s Dobrée Museum and the Natural History Museum. It’s the perfect place for a light yet satisfying lunch, which could feature her signature dish: a mollet egg with beluga lentils in a celery emulsion, garnished with croutons, or a pollock filet served atop Sardinian fregola with sunchokes and bacon jus. Don’t skip dessert—try the caramelized pear and almond dacquoise cake drizzled with salted-butter caramel. [$]

It's no wonder that chef Romain Bonnet honed his skills under the esteemed Pierre Gagnaire in Paris; his approach is daring and innovative, showcasing a remarkable ability to highlight ingredients with a symphony of savory, sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy notes. Named after a Korean berry that encapsulates these five flavors, Omija offers dishes like spider crab from Loctudy in amontillado paired with refreshing sunchokes, and an éclair filled with mandarin cream and Yunnan tea. [$$]

This innovative venue serves as a bakery, specialty coffee shop, and all-day café, embodying the essence of Île de Nantes. Locals are drawn to the minimalist design with large windows and sleek lines for their honey sourdough croissants, a selection of breads including country loaves, focaccia, and Japanese milk bread, along with seasonal tarts, brioche, bostocks, and cookies. The menu also features savory options like soups, toasties, pizzas, and smørrebrød topped with smoked rainbow trout, ricotta, sumac, radishes, and pickles. The only non-local item is the coffee, sourced from New Zealand’s Allpress Espresso. [$]

This versatile venue on Île de Nantes operates as a sourdough bakery during the day and transforms into a bar-restaurant at night. Enjoy artisanal breads and fresh salads made with organic ingredients (don’t miss the veggie grilled cheese on their homemade bread). Return in the evening for inventive cocktails, local craft beers, natural wines, and a variety of tapas-style bites. [$]

This pop-up Mytoury, part of the annual Voyage à Nantes festival, is located along the Loire River on Île de Nantes within a massive, collapsible greenhouse. Each year, this expansive 21,500-square-foot venue is designed like a festive banquet hall, featuring art installations, communal wooden tables, lounge seating on the terrace, a vegetable garden managed by a local farmer, cooking workshops, and pétanque courts. Indulge in rotisserie chicken and potatoes, alongside craft beers, cocktails, and artisanal ice creams. The live music series turns this into the highlight of the year when it opens each spring. [$]