Les Cèdres

Xavier Giraudet, chef at La Robe, has opened a second establishment in a bistro vein. Diners know they are in safe hands here as they tuck into traditional, flavourful and generous cuisine: succulent and aromatic pâté en croûte, melt-in-the-mouth black pudding with mashed potatoes, and a dessert inspired by the Paris-Brest, which is as indulgent as they come. You get up from your table with a smile on your face and your finances intact, thanks to the affordable set menus at lunch and dinner. A bright and modern setting; friendly service from the cheerful waitstaff.

In the stylish Logis de la Chabotterie, a historic stately home in deepest Vendée, 2015 MOF chef, Benjamin Patissier, rolls out a polished, creative score that elegantly and savvily shines the spotlight on local produce. In an interior that mingles rustic charm with contemporary details, he delights our tastebuds with signatures such as flame-seared mackerel from Sables d’Olonne and confit of fennel, or Vendée saddle of lamb in a bread crust, escorted by roast artichoke and delicate tarragon-perfumed gravy. The meal finishes on a high note thanks to the talents of pastry chef, Élie Bremont, wh

The fine dining restaurant of this charming hotel has two plush, stylish dining areas, where guests savour elegant and appetising cuisine that reflects the zeitgeist. Influenced by the region's terroir, the dishes showcase the chef's craftsmanship, particularly in the realm of sauces and jus. The wine list features very reasonable entry-level prices and a fine selection of regional tipples. The service team is unfailingly warm and affable. Brasserie Constance is a more relaxed venue serving traditional cuisine in an atmosphere of simplicity and conviviality.

Grape vines are a prominent feature of this converted wine storehouse, which sports a pleasant rustic vibe. The food juggles appetisingly between textbook tradition and modern influences: cumin-flavoured velvety carrots, confit of poultry gizzards and gorgonzola crumble; fillet of ling, cream of garden sorrel and seasonal veggies… The menu changes once a fortnight. Fine local Val de Loire wines at prices that make sense. Service with a smile.

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

This greenhouse with timber arches devoted to the goddess Freia is perched on top of a contemporary building. It is the perfect place to grow a garden of aromatic herbs and berries and to admire the panoramic view of Nantes. After the success of Vacarme, Sarah Mainguy crafts poetic and creative cuisine, mainly plant based and scattered with Scandinavian and Asian touches. Each dish is a treasure trove of brainwaves and delicious sauces – cases in point being the white asparagus with a vegetable seaweed XO sauce, or periwinkles with crisp green peas, topped with a glazed gwell snow.

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.