Where to have a drink by the sea in la Manche
Our selection of beachside bars and restaurants
Summer’s on the way, meaning it’s time to head to the beach, laze around, soak up the atmosphere, and of course enjoy a little tipple! After taking a swim, walking along the coast or trying a watersport, chill out and tuck into some local delicacies while you take in the sea views! If you like to have your toes in the sand and a cocktail in your hand, take a look at our selection of beachside restaurants and bars with chilled vibes, DJ evenings and loungers.
Le bistrot de la plage
Chilled vibesWelcome to the Bistrot de la Plage: enjoy a laid-back atmosphere, tapas and an aperitif with the sand between your toes at the perfect beach bar! Open at lunchtime and in the evening, this beach shack is a great place to spend time with your friends, with regular live music for chilled summer evenings.
As a bonus, you can watch the sunset from the beach with a glass in your hand. Life is good in La Manche!
Le Boa Coffee and Food
the coolest hangout in Gouville-sur-MerIn Gouville-sur-Mer, a quirky shipping container is set up by the slipway every year from April to October. Welcome to Boa, a café-bar with good vibes and sea views where you can sip a cold drink with your toes in the sand. Its wooden tables, benches, giant cushions and loungers make it the perfect place to chill out whatever the time of day. On the menu: home-made cocktails, planchas and tapas, as well as breakfasts, sandwiches and waffles, all made with locally sourced products. With regular DJ sets in the evening and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, Le Boa is a top spot to soak up the gorgeous sunsets and good vibes la Manche has to offer!
Le Père Gus
the laid-back oyster barDo you fancy trying some seafood in a homely setting? Then head to the slipway in Blainville-sur-Mer, next to the dunes. Chez le Père Gus is a friendly, no-frills place where you can get together to enjoy a seafood platter. This laid-back oyster bar is housed in an old oyster farming hangar. Dive right in and try the tartare, whelks, prawns and other seafood delicacies. But if you have to choose just one, you really should go for the oysters. This is the perfect spot to sample the finest this family-run business has to offer. With the sound of the sea in the background, what’s not to love?
L'hôtel du Fort et des Iles
the top spot for an apéritifIf you’re visiting the gorgeous Grande Île in Chausey, head over to the garden of the Hôtel du Fort et des Îles, a peaceful retreat with breathtaking views of the Chausey archipelago. At the bottom of the garden, the Cabane de l’Ecailler serves up delicious mussels, fish and chips, oysters, whelks and prawns, for the perfect seaside treat. Fancy a tipple? Then take your pick from the excellent selection of cocktails, wines and soft drinks on offer. With a glass in your hand, sit back and enjoy the idyllic landscape.
La Potinière
endless sea viewsSheltered by the cliffs in Barneville-Carteret, La Potinière is a mythical place that sits right on a fine sandy beach with pretty blue and white beach huts. In this lounge bar-restaurant, you can try delicious seafood washed down with a cold glass of wine while chilling to the music played by the DJ. With direct access to the vast beach, it’s the perfect spot for a sundowner with your toes in the water.
La Paillotte
toes in the sandA magical setting with a relaxed vibe: time seems to stand still at La Paillote in Carolles Plage. You can unwind here with your toes in the sand after going for a swim or trying a watersport. It’s a popular spot with kitesurfers and a great place to soak up the sunset with a glass in your hand. Benches, loungers and games for children, nothing is missing. Tuck into an open sandwich, a seafood platter, a veggie burger or a steak if you’re feeling peckish.
L’auberge des grottes
on the cliff top at the Nez de JobourgHead up high to enjoy tasty treats with breathtaking sea views. From the Auberge des Grottes, the ocean stretches as far as the eye can see. Facing the Channel Islands, in the unspoilt setting of the Cap de la Hague, treat yourself to one of the delicious home-cooked dishes served up in this special place. Seasonal, locally-sourced products are on the menu, including fish, seafood, ice creams and crêpes: take your pick! It’s the perfect spot to chill out after an invigorating walk at the Nez de Jobourg!
La cabane des Tamarins
After a fantastic day surfing or sunbathing on the west coast, head over to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at La Cabane des Tamarins in Vauville. Sit back and enjoy this beach bar with its seaside style, wooden walls, bamboo, surfboards and string lights, all designed to put you in the summer mood. Take your pick from delicious tapas, planchas, seafood and cocktails and chill out while you take in the sweeping sea views.
Le West Bar
Local products on the beachAfter a visit to the Château de Pirou, head to the beach for some tasty local treats and a drink with a sea view. This chilled beach bar has picnic tables and deckchairs for you to relax in while you enjoy the live music held here throughout the summer.
La Cale
The place to be in BlainvilleLa Cale has some of the best moules-frites on the west coast! It’s the perfect place to enjoy a cold drink with your toes in the sand as you admire the gorgeous beach. The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly with everything you need to kick back and relax!
La Petite Gare
The best view of Regnéville inletA real institution in the old fishing village of Regnéville-sur-Mer, La Petite Gare is now a relaxing café-boutique. Unwind on one of the pallet sofas or grab a table on the lawn to admire the view of Regnéville tidal inlet with Agon lighthouse in the distance. Sharing platters, homemade rillettes, poké bowls, sweet treats and local drinks: take your pick! Live music and events are held regularly here.
La Paillote
Fancy a game of boules?Next to the beach in Bretteville-sur-Ay, this lovely beach bar is the ideal spot to relax and enjoy a sharing platter. It has a laid-back, vintage feel, and is a top spot for boules enthusiasts. Don’t miss the homemade pastries, great selection of wines and live music evenings.
Le Sciot Cial Club
A cool surf shackAfter some great surfing or a day on the beach, kick back at the Sciot Cial Club in Les Pieux. This beach bar has a big wooden deck next to a grassy area with a beach volleyball pitch facing the sea. The driftwood decor, string lights and cool seating give it the perfect vibe for chilling after your favourite seaside activities. Take your pick from tasty fish and chips, salads, croque-monsieur, open sandwiches and drinks. There’s also live music for you to enjoy all summer.
Le Sémaphore
coastal bistroFreshly retrofitted and open, Le Sémaphore is now a coastal bistro, offering local dishes and live concerts. A short menu is available at lunchtime, with sharing platters in the evening, and the terrace is open at all hours. At the weekend, concerts bring this former National Navy semaphore station to life.
So, whether for a drink, a coffee or an aperitif, take a moment to relax and enjoy the stunning views, perched 85 metres above the sea.
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