Overlooking the sea, this 3-toques restaurant is launching its own bistro
Starting October 4, 2026, Ar Men Du in Névez will offer a new bistro-style menu. It’s a new way to experience Jérôme Gourmelen’s culinary world, without sacrificing the high-quality ingredients or the ocean view.
Overlooking the ocean, Ar Men Du (3 toques) is about to change its pace. Starting October 4, 2026, the Névez establishment will open its bistro. However, this does not mean it will be a separate venue: the Bistrot d’Ar Men Du will be located in the same space as the fine-dining restaurant, but with a different culinary concept and atmosphere.
A different way to experience Ar Men Du
The idea stemmed from a rather practical observation. “We realized we needed a simpler menu to attract more people for lunch, ” explains Chef Jérôme Gourmelen. The bistro is thus intended to allow a broader clientele to walk through the doors and sample the restaurant’s cuisine in a less formal setting. Together with Pierre-Yves Roué, owner of Ar Men Du, the chef shares the desire to make the place “a casual bistro where friends can enjoy a good meal, ” centered around carefully selected ingredients and approachable cuisine. This approach doesn’t mean turning their backs on the restaurant’s DNA, however: the sea, local producers, and seasonal ingredients will remain at the heart of every dish.
For now, the team is still moving forward through a series of trials. “We’re in a testing phase to fine-tune everything, ” admits Jérôme Gourmelen. The schedule has therefore been designed around the business: the bistro will be open Sunday through Tuesday, while the fine-dining restaurant will take over Wednesday through Saturday. Eventually, both concepts could potentially operate simultaneously.
Bistro classics with the chef’s signature touch
On the plate, Jérôme Gourmelen intends to revisit certain bistro staples without sacrificing what defines his identity. Seafood lovers will especially enjoy the raw fish ceviches, which have become one of the chef’s signature dishes. The menu will also feature foie gras or pâté en croûte as appetizers, while a vegetarian option will always be available, just as in the fine-dining restaurant. As for main courses, the menu will be just as straightforward: beef tartare enhanced with original seasonings, veal loin served with seasonal vegetables, or octopus. The cuisine is deliberately recognizable yet refined enough to maintain a connection to the fine-dining experience.
The same approach applies to desserts, featuring comforting classics like rum baba or chocolate fingers. A fine selection of wines will round out this new offering, all set against the same backdrop: the sea and the landscape of Névez.
A lunch menu under 40 euros
The Bistrot d’Ar Men Du aims above all to meet a demand for lunch. On Mondays and Tuesdays, a set menu featuring a starter, main course, and dessert will be offered for less than 40 euros. This price point is designed to make the restaurant’s cuisine more accessible, particularly for weekday lunches. For Jérôme Gourmelen, this shift also reflects a broader economic reality: “It has become essential for the survival of fine-dining restaurants to offer something more accessible, ” he explains. The bistro is therefore not meant to replace the fine-dining experience, but rather to offer a different extension of it, capable of reaching a clientele that might not otherwise take the plunge with a fine-dining menu.
Starting October 4, Ar Men Du will thus have two distinct identities depending on the day of the week: the fine-dining restaurant, open Wednesday evening through Saturday, and the bistro, open Sunday through Tuesday. Two dining experiences in one place, both backed by the same promise: great food with a view of the sea.
