8 restaurants with sea views in Normandy
With its breathtaking seascapes, Normandy offers the ideal setting to combine the pleasures of the table with iodine-filled escapes. Gault&Millau unveils eight addresses where sea views sublimate refined cuisine.
With its spectacular cliffs, unspoilt beaches and ever-changing light that has inspired so many artists, Normandy offers the perfect backdrop for a gourmet getaway. Gault&Millau has selected eight exceptional addresses where the pleasure of the taste buds rivals that of the eyes. Perched on the heights or with their feet in the water, these establishments combine refined cuisine with breathtaking seascapes. Whether you're looking for a lunch overlooking the horizon, a dinner lulled by the sound of the waves, or a holiday dedicated to relaxation and indulgence, these Normandy restaurants promise an unforgettable sensory experience.
Le Pily, Cherbourg
Facing the Cherbourg basin, Le Pily (2 toques) is housed in the former harbor master's office, a stone's throw from the famous swing bridge, in a contemporary building with large windows. This configuration offers a spectacular, immersive view of the port's activity, a veritable living backdrop for a meal. Since opening at this address in February 2022, chef Pierre Marion has been offering a cuisine entirely dedicated to the treasures of the sea - fish from small boats, shellfish, fish and seafood. fish from small boats, shellfish, lobsters from the Cotentin region - sublimated by Japanese and exotic touches, as evidenced by vanilla sauces or exotic chimichurri. In an elegant, luminous setting, each plate illustrates the chef's commitment to working with seasonal produce, in the spirit of Norman haute gastronomy.
- Where to eat Le Pily, 1 Pont Tournant, 50100 Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
- See Gault&Millau's review of Le Pily
dR
Marnage, in Barneville-Carteret
Nestled within the emblematic Hôtel La Marine in Barneville-Carteret, Marnage (1 toque) is the contemporary table that cultivates the exquisite marriage between iodized gastronomy and marine panorama. The very name, "marnage", evokes the spectacular variations in sea level characteristic of this megatidal coastline: from the light-filled dining room with its large bay windows, you can watch the ballet of the waves, the comings and goings of the boats and, on a clear day, the islands of Jersey and Guernsey in the background. Under the leadership of chef Victor Leboucher, the restaurant offers modern, refined cuisine based on locally caught seafood. Whether it's a romantic dinner or lunch with eyes plunged into the sea horizon, Marnage offers an unforgettable gustatory and visual experience in a chic, relaxed setting resolutely turned towards the sea.
- Where to eat? Marnage, Hôtel La Marine, 11 rue de Paris, 50270 Barneville-Carteret
- See Gault&Millau's review of Marnage
Le Landemer, in La Hague
Nestled at the top of the Urville-Nacqueville peninsula, Le Landemer (1 toque) is an exceptional restaurant-hotel that combines historic charm with modernity. Housed in a building dating back to the 1870s, completely renovated in 2014, the restaurant features a panoramic veranda with a 180° view of the sea and the long beach of La Hague. At the helm, chef Hendrik Jansen van der Sligte prepares a "hidden" cuisine, with a choice of three surprise formulas ranging from 4 to 8 courses, made entirely from local, 100% Normandy produce. With only twenty or so covers, the place guarantees a hushed, intimate atmosphere, conducive to contemplating the waves and the coastal landscape, for a gourmet escapade as refined as it is restful.
- Where to find us Le Landemer, 2 rue des Douanes, 50460 La Hague
- See Gault&Millau's review of Le Landemer
La Table des Impressionnistes, Honfleur
Nestled in the peaceful setting of the Manoir des Impressionnistes, La Table des Impressionnistes (1 toque) embodies the quiet elegance and authenticity of Normandy. This table hôtelière offers sincere cuisine, highlighting local products such as Isigny smoked salmon, Normandy entrecôte and "grandma's" pâté. Each dish, prepared with no frills, accurately reflects the region's terroir. The real trump card? Its patio and bright dining room open onto the Seine estuary. On the terrace, facing the sea, the spectacle of water, boats and sunsets offers a romantic setting for relaxation and contemplation. Perfect for meals with family or friends, the establishment combines bourgeois warmth, breathtaking views, five-star comfort and attentive service.
- Where to eat? La Table des Impressionnistes, Le Manoir des Impressionnistes, 23 route de Trouville, 14600 Honfleur
- See Gault&Millau's review of La Table des Impressionnistes
dR
Le Panoramique, at La Pernelle
Nestled at an altitude of 123 m, Le Panoramique in La Pernelle (1 toque) offers an unforgettable gourmet and visual experience. Set on the heights of the Cotentin peninsula, this Maître Restaurateur offers a 180° panorama embracing the island of Tatihou, Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, the D-Day landing beaches and the entire Val-de-Saire countryside. The restaurant offers simple, fair, home-cooked cuisine featuring local produce: fish, oysters, Isigny salmon and local beef fillet, accompanied by classic desserts such as pavlova with Réville raspberries. In four rooms and on a fully-equipped terrace, the restaurant combines conviviality and elegance, served by the Feron family since 1966 and an attentive team. The panoramic setting, seasonal cuisine and hushed ambience make Le Panoramique a charming spot for a family lunch, romantic dinner or gourmet break between land and sea.
- Where to find us Le Panoramique, 1 Village de l'Église, 50360 La Pernelle
- See Gault&Millau's review of Le Panoramique
dR
Le Balbec, Cabourg
Nestled in the heart of Cabourg's prestigious Grand Hôtel, Le Balbec (1 toque) is a must-visit gastronomic address orchestrated by chef Frédéric Lantéri. Its Belle Époque decor, bathed in light, opens out onto the sea - with picture windows offering a breathtaking view of the Cabourg beach and the marine horizon - transforming every meal into a contemplative interlude. The menu offers a clever blend of Norman classics and more daring creations: octopus in citrus carpaccio, veal medallions with chanterelle mushrooms, turbot, sole or lobster cooked with refinement (in a salt crust, meunière, etc.). Two gourmet menus, complemented by a bistronomic lunchtime menu on weekdays, make the experience accessible all week long.
- Where to eat? Le Balbec, Les Jardins du Casino, 14390 Cabourg
- See Gault&Millau's review of Le Balbec
camille Plichard
Restaurant de la Terrasse, Varengeville-sur-Mer
Located in Varengeville-sur-Mer, Le Restaurant de la Terrasse occupies a privileged position atop a cliff, offering breathtaking views of the English Channel from its light-filled dining room, veranda and terrace overlooking the sea. Chef François Delafontaine's cuisine focuses on fresh seafood: oysters, shellfish platters, grilled or meunièreed fish of the day, as well as the famous marmite dieppoise. Menus, priced from €28 to €39, combine simplicity and authenticity, while desserts - pavlova, chocolate fondant or apple-calvados tart - round off the meal with a regional touch. This family-run venue, open all week and with ample seating capacity, offers an iodized experience where gastronomy and views combine to enhance every visit.
- Where to find us Restaurant de la Terrasse, 997-928 Vasterival, 76119 Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer
- See the Gault&Millau review of Restaurant de la Terrasse
dR
Allouvi, in Fécamp
Nestled in the heart of Fécamp, Allouvi (meaning "wolf hunger" in local dialect - 1 toque) is the promising new restaurant of young chef Arthur Piart, who opened in June 2023 with his partner Marie, a pastry chef. The restaurant's seductive seasonal cuisine blends Norman, Asian and Italian influences: trout ceviche, beef with Thai curry or delicately seasoned gravlax are just some of the pure, tasty dishes that change every month. Welcoming and attentive, Arthur and Marie make it a point of honor to select local producers and to pay as much attention to table decoration as to the harmony of flavors. Situated on the Quai de la Vicomté, the restaurant also benefits from an ideal location, facing the port and the Côte de la Vierge, offering a lively setting typical of the Fécampois coastline.
- Where to eat? Allouvi, 23 quai de la Vicomte, 76400 Fécamp
- See Gault&Millau's review of Allouvi