Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences Nantes Métropole

On the outskirts of Nantes in a beautiful residence near the Erdre, a chic and trendy decor and a menu of culinary delights awaits in this enticing restaurant. Chef Mathieu Pérou, who has worked in many Michelin-starred properties, skilfully combines fresh and elegant flavours in his beautifully presented dishes which he prepares using the region’s best ingredients. Front of house, his sister Anne-Charlotte oversees the highly professional service.

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

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

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.

Overlooking the little Canal de Goulaine, this white building with a contemporary interior boasts a lovely garden terrace for alfresco dining in fine weather. Having cut his teeth abroad, chef Mathieu Corbineau bridges the gap between traditional recipes and modern influences: braised pork shoulder, thyme jus and vegetable tarte Tatin; fillet of pollock, shellfish marinière and a medley of Nantes carrots. Affordable lunch set menu and a wine list that zooms in on Muscadet.

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.