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© Isabelle Hiolle (AB MANTOISE)
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© Facebook La criée du Tomahawk
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© Estelle Hertault
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© O ptit crabe Goury
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© Restaurant du port
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© Café de Paris
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© Restaurant le Cap Barneville Carteret
Tucking into some delicious seafood by the water’s edge is always a good idea! La Manche is a territory that’s shaped by its exceptional coastline, and shellfish are an essential part of the local gastronomy. With seafood platters, whelks, grilled lobster and oyster gratin, here are 10 of the best places to eat!
1
Au P’tit Mareyeur
an oyster bar
Granville
Au P’tit Mareyeur, a fishmonger and oyster bar, is a must if you’re in Granville. Sit at the bar and try the tasty oysters from Chausey, washed down with a cold glass of cider. You can also build your own seafood platter from a great choice of different shellfish, depending on the season.
Bonus: order online and enjoy a delicious picnic by the sea.
2
La Citadelle
on the harbour
Granville
In the centre of the seaside resort of Granville, you’ll find La Citadelle, a relaxed, friendly restaurant with a coastal style. The chef serves up mouth-watering seafood platters, oysters from La Manche, and grilled Chausey lobster. If you’re not sure about oysters, try the delicious oyster gratin made with Isigny cream, spices and yuzu. If fish is your thing, don’t miss the famous choucroute de la mer (seafood sauerkraut).
3
La belle Ostréa
a shop and oyster bar
Agon-Coutainville
In the pretty seaside resort of Agon-Coutainville, stop at the eatery run by Marie, an oyster farmer who sells oysters fresh from her farm and delicatessen products. In good weather, you can sit on the terrace and enjoy delicious “La Belle Ostréa” oysters, but also clams from Chausey, whelks, organic prawns, seafood dishes, organic artisanal rillettes, and sardinillas, all washed down with a cold beer or a glass of cider from La Manche.
4
Le Rocavi
a fishmonger and oyster bar
Saint-Pair-sur-Mer
This family business established in 1987 sells fish and seafood freshly caught on their boat, the “Rocavi”, or selected at the fish market in Granville. Whelks from the bay of Granville, oysters from Blainville-sur-Mer, clams, prawns, shrimps, winkles and langoustines: you’re in for a treat!
Bonus: Rocavi also prepares dishes for you to eat in or take out, including tuna tataki, fish and chips, fish terrines and crispy fried prawns.
5
La Criée du Tomahawk
a restaurant on the harbour
Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue
First a fishmonger, and now a restaurant, La Criée du Tomahawk has a lovely view of the harbour and Tatihou Island. The cuisine is local and seasonal: the fish on the menu depend on the catch of the day and the seafood platters are made up in front of you, depending on what you fancy. The fish and shellfish served up are mostly caught locally. Try the house special: Cotentin lobster a la plancha.
6
Le Café de Paris
a restaurant on the harbour
Cherbourg
On the quayside in Cherbourg, Le Café de Paris is a great place to try fresh local specialities in a lovely authentic setting. On the menu: seafood, fish and products from the area. Try the spicy prawn salad, the fish soup, the oyster gratin or the famous Cherbourg salmon gravlax.
7
Le Café du port
in Omonville-la-Rogue in la Hague
La Hague
Le Café du Port is a fish and seafood restaurant on the harbour in Omonville-la-Rogue. Tuck into a traditional cuisine made with fresh local products, and enjoy the gorgeous sea view and laid-back atmosphere. The dishes on the menu include fish tartare, seafood platters, grilled lobster and products fresh from the boat, such as crab, red mullet and bream.
9
Le café de France
Restaurant
Barfleur
Ideally located on the harbour in Barfleur since 1901, Le Café de France invites you in to try their specialities, including mussels à la normande or in camembert sauce, seafood platters, marinated mackerel and fish rillettes. Prepare for a feast of the finest local products! Be sure to try the scallops if you’re there in the right season.
Bonus: the terrace with a view of one of the prettiest villages in France!
10
Le cap
a hotel-restaurant
Barneville-Carteret
From whelks to seafood platters and fresh fish, Le Cap is a go-to place for seafood lovers in this seaside resort. You can sit on the flowered terrace in good weather and enjoy the sound of the waves crashing in the background, or settle by the fireplace in the cosy dining room in winter. We recommend the baked half-lobster from Carteret, the langoustines in beurre blanc, and the warm oysters in white wine.
A HOLIDAY MUST
Are you staying in La Manche and you want to try the famous moules-frites? Look no further, we’ve rounded up the best places for you! Here’s our selection.
Lots of other restaurants also have moules-frites on the menu, and in summer there are plenty of beach shacks where you can enjoy a delicious meal with a sea view.