L'envie d'ailleurs

Alexandre Bourdas has turned his SaQuaNa into a real social hub, open from morning to night, the idea being to make good food accessible to as many people as possible. The menu is varied, with influences from near and far (including a Japanese section), and, as ever, it boasts a number of must-tries, such as his monkfish in coconut broth and combawa oil, "our house bouillabaisse" or his emblematic pascade (oven-puffed pancake): a talented, confident and inspiring culinary showing featuring a wealth of dishes that are designed "for sharing". Depending on the time of day, SaQuaNa is also a patis

Far from the bustle of the port, this restaurant nestling on rue des Lingots is set against a medieval backdrop of cobbled streets, a stone's throw from an imposing church, Église Sainte-Catherine, a gem of timber architecture. Le Lingot's interior decoration is the picture of French elegance: paintings adorn the exposed-brick walls, candles flicker on tables set with antique china, and chandeliers glint on the ceiling. The chef delves deep into the heart of Calvados, serving a frequently updated set menu and refined cuisine that fetes Normandy's terroir: oysters, local fish and beef.

On Place Hamelin, in Honfleur's historical quarter, this restaurant is accommodated in the house that is said to be the 1768 birthplace of JFE Hamelin, a rear admiral in Napoleon Bonaparte's navy. The space – typical of Normandy, with its half-timbered walls and exposed stonework – is the perfect place in which to sample seasonal dishes that embrace both meat and fish (as the name suggests). The roast sea bream, herb jus, beans and redcurrants are steamed to perfection and beautifully presented. Small terrace for fine weather.

Established in the luxury Ferme Saint Siméon Hotel, a historic hamlet in the upper reaches of Honfleur, this property is the quintessence of stylish. The plush elegant Normandy-style interior, the wooded grounds and the terrace with a superb view of the Seine Estuary may be absolutely enchanting, but not enough to distract us from the matter at hand! The chef creates seasonal contemporary cuisine that draws on top-notch Normandy produce. The estate is also home to the half-timbered, thatched roof La Boucane bistro, which serves equally tasty, but more traditional cuisine.

Don’t worry, the oysters aren’t burnt - despite the name! Updated recipes, quality ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible (organic veg, fish from small boats) and a concise, seasonal menu. This friendly bolthole is run by an enthusiastic couple: local lad Paul Lacheray, in the kitchen, and his partner, Chloé Woestelandt, who runs the dining room.

After stints at some prestigious Michelin-starred establishments in Paris, then at Château Cordeillan-Bages in Pauillac, chef Julien Lefebvre, who hails from Normandy, set up shop a few years ago in this charming medieval town. His cooking is both in step with the seasons and very much in the spirit of the times. Open kitchens giving onto a dining space with contemporary decor or a terrace for sunny days.

Settle in at your table, in the bright dining room or on sunny days head for the terrace to enjoy the lovely view of the estuary. Savour the modern cuisine, centred on a short and appetising seasonal menu that gives top billing to Normandy's produce from land and sea.