Foams as light as Normandy clouds, seafood in the face of endless vistas, surprising blends with all the flavors of the land… In this article, we share our opinions on what we consider to be the best restaurants in Normandy!
This list will evolve as we test more for you. We have a sense of sacrifice!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
Content
1. Restaurant Tartarin
2. Restaurant L’Odas
3. Restaurant du donjon – Domaine Saint-Clair
4. Restaurant L’Essentiel
5. Restaurant Le Pily
6. Restaurant Le Margote
7. Restaurant La Fleur de Sel
8. Dormy House restaurant
9. Restaurant L’Âtre
10. Dame Cakes tea room
11. Restaurant À Contre Sens
12. Restaurant Le Jardin des Plumes
13. Restaurant L’Aromate
Other Michelin-starred restaurants in Normandy
1. Restaurant Tartarin
The essentials
- City: Le Havre
- Type: Gastronomic
- Distinction: 1 Michelin star
About the atmosphere and the story
It’s along the prestigious Avenue Foch in Le Havre that Jean Luc Tartarin has laid down his apron after more than twenty years reviving the region’s fine restaurants. Situated opposite the Square Saint Roch, a small English-style park much loved by our grandparents and many of Le Havre’s residents, the décor is minimalist and sober. The show is on the plate, and nothing should distract you from it!
About flavours
Here, cuisine is synonymous with excellence and technique. Nothing is left to chance, the textures are ethereal, the dishes are meticulously crafted – great gastronomic art! The products are all sourced and come mainly from the Normandy region. That’s how we discovered Saint Sauveur du Carrouges’ Gruyère Normand, which will soon be added to our article on the best cheeses from Normandy!
To discover the chef’s palette, we recommend at least his 5-course seasonal menu or the 9-course tasting menu! Don’t worry, the quantities are adapted, you’ll just have to measure your puck’s capacity to be surprised at such a frequency.
The wine list is extensive, offering you the great French appellations, but also the surprising, cutting-edge pas de côté that we love. We let ourselves be guided by the food and wine pairing, which took us from the vineyards of South Africa (Topiary by Philippe Colin – 2021) to the Rhone Valley, with the stunning La Barroche – Liberty!
The chef’s wife runs the dining room and sets the tempo for this gastronomic symphony. To complicate things a little, we had lunch there on the day of their post-summer break resumption, and the result was already respectable.
Practical information
- Neighborhood: downtown Le Havre
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings.
- Price range: between €50 and €160 per person (excluding drinks) depending on the formula.
- Normandy specialities: no
- Particularly suitable for children: no
- Reservations required here
Planning a trip? See our article on the best activities in Le Havre!
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
2. Restaurant L’Odas
The essentials
- City: Rouen
- Type: Gastronomic
- Distinction: 1 Michelin star
About the atmosphere and the story
Pushing open the door of this establishment in the heart of Rouen’s old town, we were not disappointed. Chef Olivier Da Silva and his team welcomed us into a chic setting, where raw materials are given pride of place. Velvet armchairs, dark wood tables, large gilded sconces and a wood-planked ceiling adorn the main room, creating a warm ambience.
About flavours
In this refined, colorful setting, you’ll enjoy a cuisine that blends land and sea, with a hint of citrus to enhance the taste of local, seasonal produce on your plate.
The extensive wine list showcases all the French wine regions, with many grands crus. Don’t hesitate to ask the sommelier for advice, and he’ll be delighted to guide you through the food and wine pairing process. He was a great help during our meal. Champagne, liqueurs and soft drinks are also available to suit your tastes.
On the menu, you’ll be able to choose between 3 to 7-count lunchtime or 5 to 7-count dinnertime formulas, all tasted blind. Lobster has a special place on the chef’s menu. The balance between flavors and textures was close to perfection, with an explosion on the palate.
Also, the sequence of dishes was very well paced, neither too fast nor too slow. We were able to savor every one of the chef’s creations. A must for food lovers.
Practical information
- Neighborhood: old town
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Price range: between €50 and €160 per person (excluding beverages) depending on formula
- Normandy specialities: yes, but revisited
- Particularly suitable for children: no
- Reservations required here
Planning a trip? See our article on the best things to do in Rouen!
3. Restaurant du donjon – Domaine Saint-Clair
The essentials
- City: Etretat
- Type: Gastronomic
- Distinction: 1 Michelin star
About the atmosphere and the story
Nestling on the heights of Étretat (upstream cliff), this manor house was built in 1862 in a surprisingly quirky medieval style by Parisian journalist Zacharie Dollingen. It reflects the taste for theater and human comedy so common in France’s burgeoning seaside resorts in the second half of the 19thcentury .
Keen to preserve this originality, the Abodib family, who have owned the property since 1978, entrusted the decoration of the hotel’s gourmet restaurant to designer Jean Charles De Castelbajac, one of the great names in French fashion.
About flavours
The menu has just as much character, with the radical choice to focus exclusively on seafood. Chef Gabin Bouguet, a native of the Pays de Caux region, buys his daily supplies from the fish auction in the nearby port of Fécamp, and combines Fécamp scallops, whelks and sea urchins with the finest vegetables from the countryside.
Gabin Bouguet, a true enthusiast, was awarded the 2022 “Great of Tomorrow” prize for the Normandy region. To be continued… and closely followed!
If you also want to sleep at the Donjon, our article about the night we spent in this charming hotel in Étretat with many pictures.
Practical information
- Area: upstream cliffs at Etretat
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Price range: +55 €.
- Specialty of Normandy: no
- Particularly suitable for children: no
- Reservation
Planning a trip? See our article on the best things to do in Étretat!
WHERE TO STAY IN Normandy
Option 1: Bayeux
A charming historic town center with easy access to the D-Day beaches and Mont-Saint-Michel.
- Hotel Domaine de Bayeux in an 18th century mansion – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Domaine de la Rançonnière, in the countryside just 20 minutes from Bayeux – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: Honfleur
For a trip back in time, superb hotels and restaurants.
- Hotel La Maison de Lucie – a little peace and quiet, yet close to the harbour, in an elegant 18th century mansion – see photos and availability
- Hôtel Ferme de Saint-Siméon – luxury, history, charm and estuary views! – see pictures and availability
Option 2: on Mont-Saint-Michel
For a unique experience!
- Hotel Auberge Saint Pierre – see photos, prices and availability
- Hotel La Croix Blanche – prices, pictures and availability
See all our reviews of the best places to stay in Normandy
4. Restaurant L’Essentiel
The essentials
- City: Deauville
- Type: Bistronomic
- Distinction: 1 Michelin star
About the atmosphere and the story
It’s no secret that Deauville is considered the most “hype” seaside resort on the Côte Fleurie. So we didn’t know what to expect when we went to lunch at l’Essentiel. All the more so as the location in a small street close to the market, far from the sea, and the promise of a star-studded fusion of French and Korean gastronomy, gave us little to go on.
And clearly, this restaurant lives up to its name by getting straight to the point. The interior is carefully decorated and sober, the terrace spacious and protected from the road by thick vegetation, and the atmosphere friendly without being trendy.
About flavours
As promised, at the table de l’essentiel we mix local produce with the richness of Asian flavors. The veal tartare starter will be accompanied by wasabi, while the fish of the moment (cod for us) will be delicately coated with Korean dashima seaweed (better known in France as Japanese kombu).
The wine list gives pride of place to Burgundy (which seems to us consistent with the type of cuisine), with the most prestigious appellations and even a few old vintages.
Practical information
- District: downtown Deauville
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Price range: menus from 43 euros to 120 euros
- Specialty of Normandy: no
- Particularly suitable for children: possible
- Reservation
Planning a trip? See our article on the best things to do in Deauville!
5. Restaurant Le Pily
The essentials
- City: Cherbourg
- Type: Bistronomic
- Distinction: Michelin star
About the atmosphere and the story
It’s hard to imagine a more symbiotic relationship with its raw materials: the kitchens of the Pily restaurant are housed in Cherbourg’s former harbour master’s office! The room is housed in a recent extension, entirely glazed and spacious, with a soothing view over the outer harbor, in a contemporary, sober decor that revisits the marine style.
About flavours
Chef Pierre Marion, whose career has taken him to some of Normandy’s finest restaurants, offers us a cuisine dedicated to the riches of the sea, which he sublimates with incredible combinations of textures and flavors. From the monkfish with its popcorn emulsion and violet flowers, to the fillet of sea bass with carrots, ginger and cumin, we were delighted!
The wine list logically features champagnes and Burgundies, which go perfectly with the dishes. A special mention for the non-alcoholic co*cktail pairing, which enabled Eugénie to accompany her father, while discovering some truly original drinks.
Practical information
- Neighborhood: Saint-François district in Le Havre
- Capacity: 30 place settings
- Price range: €70-120
- Specialty of Normandy: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: no
- Reservation
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
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6. Restaurant Le Margote
The essentials
- City: Le Havre
- Type: Bistronomic
- Award: Bib Michelin
About the atmosphere and the story
Located on the edge of the stunning Saint François district, with its narrow streets punctuated by a number of mansions that survived the bombardments of 1944, Le Margotte is a very fine address.
The contemporary decor is clearly warm and contemporary, with a sense of balance. The large glass surface, which opens onto the Bassin du Roy, bathes the 30-cover room in Le Havre lights. Whether it’s lunch or dinner, you’ll feel right at home at Margote!
About flavours
Chef Gauthier Teissère surprises us on every visit with a wide range of combinations, from seafood (the fish market is just 200 meters from his restaurant) to plant-based ingredients, drawing on the infinite gastronomic riches of Normandy.
The wine list is broad enough to match the chef’s creations. Lots of great discoveries at affordable prices. The chef’s wife, Marguerite, will guide you in your discoveries.
Practical information
- Neighborhood: Saint-François district in Le Havre
- Capacity: less than 30 place settings
- Price range: €40
- Specialty of Normandy: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: no
- Reservation
Planning a trip? See our article on the best activities in Le Havre!
7. Restaurant La Fleur de Sel
The essentials
- City: Honfleur
- Type: Bistronomic
- Award: Bib Michelin
About the atmosphere and the story
Slightly set back from Honfleur harbor, in one of the picturesque little streets that give the town its charm, we fell in love with this gourmet restaurant.
About flavours
The menu reflects the warmth of the restaurant and its chef. We dare to combine textures and tastes by revisiting the recipes of Norman grannies, and we magnify seasonal vegetables to our delight.
If this restaurant still exists after more than 20 years of existence, it’s because its chef Vincent Guyon has constantly questioned his cuisine, adapting it to the changing tastes of his customers. A success!
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: historical center
- Type: gastronomic
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Price range: -+40€.
- Specialty of Normandy: no
- Particularly suitable for children: no
- Reservation
Read our full review of our experience at Restaurant La Fleur de Sel
Planning a trip? See our article on the best things to do in Honfleur!
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8. Dormy House restaurant
The essentials
- City: Le Havre
- Type: Bistronomic
- Distinction: a superb view of the cliffs!
About the atmosphere and the story
If you’re not in the mood for golf, a little further up the coast you’ll find the charming Dormy House hotel-restaurant. The former “Villa Vassoigne” was first owned by the Comte de Montault, before becoming the property of the French general Eli, Jean de Vassoigne. He acquired this beautiful home when he married the daughter of playwright Auguste Anicet-Bourgeois in 1866, a major contributor to Étretat’s reputation. Converted into an auxiliary hospital during the First World War, the villa became a hotel in 1950.
When the weather’s fine (yes, it can be fine in Étretat too), the pleasant terrace offers a superb view of the town and the cliffs above.
About flavours
2 restaurants welcome you all year round: a bistro and a traditional restaurant.
The traditional restaurant offers a more demanding menu, with the best of French gastronomy (ceps, scallops, Aquitaine caviar…) cooked with a touch of daring (did you know Norman beef au gratin with Gorgonzola?). And we like that!
The wine list offers some very fine references (the problem is choosing) in Burgundy and even some old vintages in Bordeaux.
Practical information
- Area: Honfleur upstream cliffs
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Price range: + 40€.
- Specialty of Normandy: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: no
- Reservation at the restaurant
Planning a trip? See our article on the best things to do in Étretat!
9. Restaurant L’Âtre
The essentials
- City: Honfleur
- Type: Gastronomic
- Distinction: Michelin Mention
About the atmosphere and the story
Slightly set back from the harbor, this new restaurant, born in the heart of confinement, is making its mark in Honfleur. The decor is sober and elegant, with a semi-open kitchen at the end of the room.
About flavours
You can either opt for an à la carte dish, relatively classic but very well executed, or give free rein to the inspiration of chef Julien Lefebvre, who offers meals in 4 to 6 sequences.
Because what makes the restaurant so interesting is the personality of the chef, who demands the highest standards of creativity. He takes the best of local produce and reinvents it without altering the taste, to the delight of our taste buds.
In season (from mid-September), the chef offers a 5-course variation based on scallops fished in the Baie de Seine.
Practical information
- Neighborhood: near the port
- Capacity: more than 25 covers
- Price range: -+40€.
- Specialty of Normandy: no
- Particularly suitable for children: no
- Reservation
Read our full review of our experience at Restaurant L’Âtre.
Planning a trip? See our article on the best things to do in Honfleur!
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities in Normandy
- Helicopter flight over the cliffs of the Côte d’Albâtre
- Book your time to visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
- Take a microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
- Climb the Via Ferrata in Switzerland Normandy
10. Dame Cakes tea room
The essentials
- City: Rouen
- Type: Tearoom
About the atmosphere and the story
The Dame cakes tea room is both a place to indulge and relax, with a beautiful view of Rouen’s Notre-Dame Cathedral. This charming establishment will be a gentle interlude in the heart of the old town if you stop in. In fact, we’ve listed it among our 15 ideas for things to do in Rouen.
In a setting worthy of Alice in Wonderland, you can enjoy cakes, tarts, madeleines, homemade pastries and other sweet delights. Dame Cakes opened its doors in 2002, in a place steeped in history. Ferdinand Marrou’s former ironworks, created in 1902, some of whose creations are on display at the Musée de la Ferronnerie de Rouen, then housed the Roussel printing works until 2002.
About flavours
Today, this famous tea room has become a must-visit address for a snack (it’s sacred!) in a charming setting all day long. At lunchtime from 12pm to 3pm, savory tarts, crumbles, salads and cakes will be served according to season and arrival.
Practical information
- Neighborhood: old town.
- Type: tea room.
- Capacity: less than 25 covers.
- Price range: between €15 and €30 per person.
- Normandy specialities: yes.
- Particularly suitable for children: yes.
- Reservations recommended on 02 35 07 49 31.
Planning a trip? See our article on the best things to do in Rouen!
11. Restaurant À Contre Sens
The essentials
- City: Caen
- Type: Gastronomic
- Distinction: 1 Michelin star
About the atmosphere and the story
Paradoxes, opposites and counter-intuitive cuisine are the hallmarks of Anthony Caillot, head chef at the Michelin-starred À Contre Sens restaurant in Caen. Located in one of the city’s oldest streets, rue des Croisiers, this establishment offers meaningful cuisine in an authentic, contemporary setting.
Unfortunately, the restaurant had to close its doors due to a structural defect in the building it occupied. We have no doubt that the chef and his team will quickly bounce back in a new location.
About flavours
The chef has designed his menu according to his intuition, which is also the title of his flagship menu, an invitation to a journey of the senses. Anthony Caillot highlights what he calls peasant wisdom, and puts one of the 5 elements or movements – the earth – back at the center. Because without it, there are no products, no cuisine and no inspiration.
Practical information
- District: Château de Caen.
- Type: gastronomic starred.
- Capacity: approx. 25 place settings.
- Price range: between €48 and €78 per person (excluding drinks).
- Normandy specialities: yes.
- Particularly suitable for children: no.
- Reservations required on 02 31 97 44 48 or info@acontresens.fr.
Planning a trip? See our article on the best things to do in Caen!
12. Restaurant Le Jardin des Plumes
The essentials
- City: Giverny
- Type: Gastronomic
- Distinction: 1 Michelin star
About the atmosphere and the story
Michelin-starred chef David Gallienne welcomes you to the Jardin des Plumes restaurant, a showcase of softness and refinement. In this intimate, cosy cocoon designed by interior architect Philippe Papy, you’ll enjoy local, organic cuisine with an emphasis on short distribution channels.
About flavours
Following the rhythm of the seasons, the chef tells us the story of his native Normandy, between sea and countryside, bringing his terroir to life through 3 menus in 3, 5 and 7 tableaux, as he likes to call each part of the meal. The drinks menu features a wide range of wines, beers, aperitifs, ciders and house co*cktails to accompany your dishes.
If you want to extend the experience, you can also stay 1 or more nights at theHôtel du Jardin des Plumes in Giverny.
Practical information
- Location: Giverny.
- Capacity: approx. 25 place settings.
- Price range: between €85 and €150 per person (excluding drinks).
- Normandy specialities: yes.
- Particularly suitable for children: no.
- Reservations required here
Planning a trip? See our article on the best things to do in Giverny!
13. Restaurant L’Aromate
The essentials
- City: Caen
- Type: Bistronomic
About the atmosphere and the story
This bistronomic restaurant is one of our top addresses in Caen. We’re sure you’ll tell us all about it. Inspired by the many encounters and travels of Axel de Caseneuve and Inès de Saint Jores, the chef’s cuisine is an invitation to discover new flavors, textures and colors!
About flavours
Here, it’s all about the product, no fuss, with of course a few essential products for a gourmet table. Herbs and spices, combined with the chef’s know-how, sublimate this precious raw material from local agriculture. Even the decor of the room is uncluttered yet sophisticated. We love it! The bar menu, meanwhile, is highly sought-after: aperitifs, a wide range of wines, beers, whisky, gin and fruit spirits, not forgetting Calvados, a must in the region.
Practical information
- District: Château de Caen.
- Type: bistronomic.
- Capacity: approx. 25 place settings.
- Price range: between €36 and €56 per person (excluding drinks).
- Normandy specialities: yes.
- Particularly suitable for children: no.
- Reservations required here
Planning a trip? See our article on the best things to do in Caen!
Other Michelin-starred restaurants in Normandy
- Restaurant Maison Caillets in Valmont
- Restaurant G.a. Manoir de Rétival in Caudebect en Caux
- Ivan Vautier’s restaurant in Caen
- Restaurant Au souper Fin in Frichemesnil
- Restaurant Le Colombier in Offranville
- Restaurant La Renaissance in Argentan
- Restaurant Les Voiles d’Or in Dieppe
- Restaurant Intuition in Saint-Lô
- Restaurant La Licorne Royale in Lyons-la-Forêt
- Restaurant Auberge de la Mine in La Ferrière-aux-Etangs
- Restaurant Le Manoir du Lys in Bagnoles de l’Orne
- Restaurant Le Mascaret in Blaincille-sur-mer
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
- Best things to do in Normandy
- Best cities in Normandy
- Most beautiful beaches of Normandy
- Most beautiful villages of Normandy
- Best castles of Normandy
- Best abbeys of Normandy
- Read our complete guide to visit the Mont-Saint-Michel
- Discover the D-Day sites
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
See all our tips
