HOTEL DE LA GARE NANTES

In this warm buzzy eatery, chef Romain Bonnet crafts creative surprise menus of Asian inspiration: the ‘omija’ is a Korean fruit, known as the five-flavour berry due to its unique combination of sweet, sour, bitter, salty and pungent flavours. Bonnet is unswerving in his dedication to taste, illustrated by green ‘kombujime’ asparagus flanked by sesame-flavoured ice cream, or squid from la Turballe marinated in Korean pepper. Virtuoso craftsmanship, gutsy stocks and addictive, big-boned sauces. The mainly organic produce is painstakingly sourced (common shrimp from la Cotinière on Oléron Island

These cadets are brothers who greet diners in a trendy hip interior of 1950s inspiration. Charles and Tristan Bernabé cherry-pick outstanding veggies from local market gardeners and the finest fish from nearby fish markets. They consummately juggle with current trends and their classical training, grandmother's Breton culture, and even their father's pied-noir origins. All of which without ever compromising on the clarity of the dishes or the flavour of the sauces. Examples include cockles from Morbihan, tuberous parsley and black garlic; rack of veal, potatoes and shallots; baked apple, sweet

Trained under Michel Troisgros, Ludovic Pouzelgues is one of the faces of the city's fine dining revival. A stone's throw from the famous Machines de l'Île, he heads up this restaurant with a pleasing, comfortable and contemporary interior. Here, the finest produce reigns supreme (the fish markets of La Turballe and Le Croisic are nearby); it is prepared with precision and inventiveness to create surprise menus based on what the market has to offer. Modern cuisine that is full of personality: a real success.

A stone's throw from the Cité des Congrès events venue and the lively rue Fouré, this concrete-clad neo-bistro has an industrial edge. It is run by a couple made up of chef Ruddy Maisonneuve (P'tite Pomme is his nickname) and Juliette Jovelin (front of house). Trained as a pastry chef and previously sous-chef at Lulu Rouget, the chef serves ultra-fresh seasonal cuisine, elevated by local produce – some of the vegetables are supplied by his brother, a farmer and baker. Refined and precise, his vibrant dishes are testament to the work of a true professional: crispy mussels and courgettes with ho

Overlooking the Loire, this 19C mansion, a landmark of Nantes, commands a sweeping view over the former shipyards. Chef Jean-Yves Guého deftly fashions a banquet of grandiose Gallic classics. Seafood and fish take the limelight, illustrated by a delicate marriage of Breton langoustine and sea urchin or Croisic John Dory confit in butter. The front-of-house team is enthusiastically led by the chef’s daughter, while the well-curated wine list is rich in Loire vintages. Gutsy food in a restful setting – consider us smitten!

Antoine Gaudin, previously Alexandre Couillon's pastry chef, and his associate, sommelier and front-of-house manager, Guillaume Claireau, have opened this restaurant-cum-wine bar, where good food and good wine (200 references) go hand in hand. The deceptively casual chef rolls out a banquet of happy combinations and tasty sauces: the carrot, ginger and honey jus on the glazed carrots, served as a starter, is full of oomph, while the satay sauce on the fillet of mullet brilliantly sublimes the fish. The creamy oatmeal dessert is decisive proof that the chef has not lost his touch. In the evenin

Picture a Klein blue frontage and a trendy bistro done out with vintage furnishings and decorated with knick-knacks. Packed to the rafters, it has a recipe for success: bright, cheerful cuisine and fresh, flavourful dishes that are an instant hit. Think prawn wontons in tom kha kai sauce with a squid ink crumble, or octopus with 'nduja, baby potatoes and gochujang. The appealing lunchtime menu goes up a gear in the evening, while the atmosphere remains relaxed. With a strong focus on natural wines, the wine list also features some interesting selections.