La Surprise

Le Pavillon of the Westminster, a 1930’s luxury hotel and a flagship of the Côte d’Opale, boasts a velvety cocooned vibe and a black and ochre colour scheme. The dining room, hung with huge animal-themed tapestries, provides the backdrop to William Elliott’s creative seafood-centric score. Virtuoso talent and delicacy depict the craftsmanship lavished on noble ingredients like caviar, lobster, langoustine… Examples include Audresselles lobster in cherries and almonds underscored by an aceita di terga vinegar dressing. The terrace commands a view of the iconic La Canche lighthouse. Simpler fare

Few chefs show such a strong culinary personality as Alexandre Gauthier in La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil. The story unfolds in a space with two tiered metal rooftops (designed by architect Patrick Bouchain) and views onto the verdant surroundings and the kitchens. This is the laboratory in which the chef cooks up "contemporary cuisine with French roots, liberated from its certainties and preconceptions". Like an alchemist, he teases out flavours in on-point dishes, each a vignette of creativity in which the ingredients sing the praises of the seasons. Artistic and experimental cuisine, to be sav

A few streets away from the seafront, this restaurant is in sync with the markets and seasons and very popular with local foodies! They know how to pull off deliciously happy marriages of flavours. The food ranges from traditional to more modern dishes such as foie gras, corn and smoked eel. Charming welcome.

Courgettes, samphire and salsa macha; avocado and chocolate parfait – this restaurant in Le Touquet successfully showcases its take on fusion cuisine, with a penchant for smoking certain food items. Chef Julien Szyndler prepares regional ingredients using Mexican methods, sauces and spices, for instance cochinita pibil (with pork marinated and cooked over mezquita wood) or mole poblano with duck. The food mirrors the couple's roots: he hails from nearby Valenciennes, while Laura Flores, his wife, is from Mexico: Puebla, to be precise (southeast of Mexico City).

This peaceful inn between Le Touquet and Montreuil-sur-Mer exudes a smart rural vibe. The chef painstakingly selects the ingredients with which to carefully craft flavoursome traditional fare. House specialities include lobster salad, pigeon cooked two ways and Grand Marnier soufflé. Everything is prepared in house, including the bread and ice cream!

Half-way between Montreuil and Le Touquet, this fashionably appointed, welcoming bistro conjures up tasty home cooking that celebrates market-fresh produce, but not only. Examples: goat’s cheese fritter, poached pear and rocket leaf; scorpion fish, herby polenta, salad veggies and fennel butter. And at such sensible prices, who could ask for more?