Brittany’s village bistros you need to treat yourself

They work miracles with seasonal products. They give you a warm welcome and their cuisine really packs a punch too. Shall we give them a go, those little restaurants piping hot from the oven? The idea is to get away from the city and make our way into the Breton countryside or to the water’s edge. Those village bistros set our hearts beating…Pure bliss!

In the blink of an eye

1. Chez Erwan in Rostrenen (22)

Where true epicures hang out

In Rostrenen in the heart of inland Brittany, Chez Erwan has a “communal table” air about it – a place where you feel at home immediately you’re through the door. Red striped sailor shirt and roguish face, Erwan Botrel, the chef with millions of social media views, cooks up a generous Brittany. Rooted. Straightforward. 100% local products, meats roasted in a wood-fired oven, potatoes browned to perfection… It all smells great: the fire, the earth, and the long, leisurely meals. It’s all happening in the dining room, with customers chatting away and sharing the time of day. An unpretentious, warmly welcoming address where you come to indulge yourself and leave with a smile.

Chez Erwan

Where to spend the night : Les Suites Fisel

2. Ana Ana – Plouasne (22)

Shaking up the countryside

Fresh wind warning between Rennes and Bécherel! In the village of Plouasne, Ana Ana, a one-of-a-kind bistro, has unleashed its inventiveness. And when I say unleashed, I really mean it! Diane-Claire and Emmanuelle concoct ultra-lively, seasonal dishes prepared from fresh local products. Non-stop surprises on the menu of the day as it’s always changing, except for the Wednesday burger that no one can get enough of. In a cosy dining room where life is seen through rose-coloured glasses, customers nibble at fritters, vegetable tarte tatin and grilled chicken legs – no frills. There’s a brunch version of it all one Sunday a month, enjoyed to the sound of church bells. Great choice!

Ana Ana

Where to spend the night : La Maison Armoricaine gîtes et chambres d’hôtes

Click. Inspire. Go…

Receive the Brittany newsletter!

To receive 4 times a year a summary of the best things to do in Brittany by e-mail head this way.

3. Brasse Bouillon – Dol-de-Bretagne (35)

Emotions and sincerity simmering away

In Dol-de-Bretagne between Saint-Malo and Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, Brasse Bouillon stirs everything together: hearts, dishes and our own little minds. Here, Anthony cooks right up close to the living world – local products, seasons respected, and animals he selects and cuts up himself. Result? Flavours that make you lose any composure you had left. The pork shoulder melts in your mouth, and the fish and vegan dishes are simply the tops! And there’s an extra-special something after your meal is served, when the chef arrives at your table to share a little one-on-one time. Sincere cuisine and an encounter that stays with you.

Brasse Bouillon

Where to spend the night : Gîtes du Domaine du Sillon

4. Y’a Skiff in Ouessant (29)

How good the sea smells!

On Ouessant Island off the coast of Brest and Le Conquet, there’s Y’a Skiff and who could ask for more?! Meticulously selected products, heartfelt cuisine, retro-chic decor – and a “Ma Doué” [Breton for “My Goodness!”] atmosphere that makes you never want to leave, not ever. Behind the ovens, the two dedicated chefs, Séverine and Olivier, send out plates of oysters, seafood rillettes, line-caught pollack and top-notch fish’n’chips. On sunny days, you sit back on the terrace and set the world to rights as the wind blows in from the open sea. And who’s just missed the boat back to the mainland 😉?

Y’a Skiff

Where to spend te night :

Also read Five brunches to try in brittany

5. Glaz in Pont-Croix (29)

Colours and flavours…like nowhere else

Scram! Everyone in Finistère, off you go to Audierne Bay  at the tip of Brittany, where you’ll find Glaz, a stunning top-of-the-line eatery that never fails to surprise and delight its patrons. In a setting tinged with its Breton namesake, that famous magnetic blueish green, Emeline and Tanios have created a vibrant modern bistro. On your plate, stories that combine Mediterranean and Brittany, where Lebanese, Italian and local influences intermingle deliciously. And the wine? A discerning natural selection to go and choose for yourself in the cellar. Life, inspiration and a terrace on sunny days. Well worth going out of your way for!

Glaz

Where to spend the night :

6. Le Petit Raout in La Trinité-sur-Mer (56)

A cannon and a spot of chocolate mousse!

Take three pals who put everything they like the most on their plates, including generous local products and zero hassle, settle them in La Trinité-sur-Mer port in Quiberon Bay near Carnac, and hey presto, you’ve got a Petit Raout – in other words, a get-together with plenty of flavour to it! The lunchtime set menu changes in line with what’s available in the market, but always with “good – really good”, as its watchword, as this subtly elevated, melt-in-the mouth duck leg bears witness to. In the evening, you take your time, you share your enjoyment. There’s the famous warm chocolate mousse that makes waves on the quays and gets you climbing the masts… On Sunday evenings? Set meal and soothing atmosphere to help you ease into the week. Simple, genuine. So put your hands together!

Le Petit Raout

Where to spend the night :

All the top addresses in the Pur Beurre guide  