Six thalasso & food addresses in Brittany

In Brittany, thalasso and good food go well together. No more dreary low-calorie dishes or food rich in saturated fats and “empty calories”. Today, people taking treatments at thermal spas can also enjoy healthy, balanced and tasty food. In all of the establishments in Brittany and La Baule bay, local and seasonal products are given pride of place. There is something for everyone: lovers of delicious food, bistronomy, light dishes, and also gluten-free or vegan dishes. Good news: all of these restaurants are open to passing tourists and local customers. Enjoy your meal!

L’Osens and L’Arsaour in Dinard

Opposite Saint-Malo, Novotel Dinard Thalassa sea & spa recently renovated its dining area with a modern and seaside-inspired design. You can lunch or dine here facing the Channel and the chain of islands that is revealed at low tide. Here you have a choice of two restaurants: L’Osens, managed by chef Mathieu Esnault, who uses local products. And L’Arsaour (20 spaces only), the new one, with a relaxed service and gluten-free à la carte menu offering ceviche dishes, quinoa salads, organic wines, etc. At the end of the day, treat yourself to an aperitif at the Albatros bar. You’ll be guaranteed a brilliant sunset over the sea!

Cap-Horn, a Saint Malo institution

Cap Horn restaurant in the Saint Malo marine spa is known for its gastronomic restaurant, conducted for years by chef Patrice Dugué and pastry chef Pascal Pochon – also a master chocolate-maker. Patrice Dugué concocts healthy and tasty cuisine here, based on local products and seafood from the Breton fish markets. The menu is vast, offering fish (bass, turbot, John Dory, etc.) and meat, and the cellar contains some lovely surprises. A signature dessert? The Breton “kouign aman” revisited, naturally!
For a light but nonetheless delicious version, book a table at La Verrière. On fine days, the simple and fresh dishes are also served (midday and evening) on the terrace, which overlooks Sillon beach. Ideal for family lunches!

The S Restaurant, opposite Saint-Brieuc bay

A little further south, in Saint-Brieuc bay, check out the S Restaurant, at Spa Marin du Val André Thalasso et resort. The menu is succinct, but creative: you can choose from three starters, three fish dishes and three meat dishes, or you can choose a meal deal. Specialities of the sea are honoured in this restaurant with relaxing decoration, such as the famous Erquy scallop (in season), which is caught a few kilometres from here from November to April, or smoked fish (salmon, haddock, etc.) from the Saint-Cast smokehouse. In the evening, the chef prepares a discovery menu, consisting of three dishes using seasonal products. A lovely address in this little seaside resort on the Côtes d’Armor.

Sampling menu or brunch at Château des Tourelles

On the other side of the bay of La Baule, in Château des Tourelles, chef Donatien Sahagun Mencias awakens the greedy person hiding in each of us! His healthy, balanced and flavoursome cuisine also makes use of fresh and regional products: there is “just-smoked lobster from our coast, young asparagus, quail egg, pink peppercorn broth” or cod “ceviche-style, carrot tartar and croquettes, opaline and turmeric carrot jus”. The sampling menu allows you to discover the flair of this young chef. You can also choose a single dish, or the gargantuan Sunday brunch (€55, €25 for 4-12 year-olds). To be shared with family or friends facing the Atlantic! And without any fuss!

Traditional Breton food revisited in Concarneau

Head to the southern Finistère and the fortified town of Concarneau for this tasty stop-off. The Concarneau spa opened four years ago and from the beginning, chef Cyril Le Rest has been at the commands of the restaurant, Le Domaine. This fan of contemporary cuisine makes seasonal dishes based on fresh products inspired by his native Brittany. You can taste his speciality of cod cooked on pebbles and smoked in maritime pine needles, or you can try pork in a clay pot. If you love seafood, you might give in to the crab, or lobster (but it’s more expensive), direct from the tank.

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Tonight, we’re eating at Fouquet’s in La Baule!

If you like the luxury brasserie style and you are staying in La Baule, you’ll definitely find this restaurant to your taste. Fouquet’s in Hotel Barrière Le Royal Thalasso & spa has the same codes and classics as this Parisian institution, such as beef fillet in Champs-Elysées black pepper sauce, but not only. You’ll also be tempted with a fine choice of fish (poached bass fillet in olive oil with minted artichokes, cod macerated in miso, white peaches, celery and green beans, etc.), meats and desserts on the menu created with Pierre Gagnaire. A few wines have been selected by Manuel Peyrondet, who has the best sommelier of France and best craftsman of France qualifications. If you want to eat a balanced diet, you’ll be delighted with the well-being dishes created by chef Mikaël Amisse and the establishment’s nutritionists. The menu is different every day. It’s just next to Benoît beach: perfect for stretching your legs after a hearty meal!