La Villa Andry

The name of this restaurant may refer to the close bond between the chef and the sommelière (who are partners in life), or the association of food and wine – the couple’s respective passions, or to the two set menus served in two separate dining spaces. The first is a “tasting bar”, which rolls out dishes to share that tap into influences from far and wide (ceviche of croaker, ceviche juice and guacamole); the second is dedicated to fine dining with two tasting menus (and a third more concise score at lunchtime). The chef, who finds his inspiration in Normandy’s first-class fare and culinary h

This old building in the centre of the village has been treated to a tasteful contemporary makeover to showcase the talents of Clémence Goupil and Alex Néel. Both are fountains of knowledge about their profession and its history and their establishment’s name refers to the inventor of the modern restaurant concept, Mathurin Roze de Chantoiseau. Your hosts sing an ode to fresh seasonal produce with touching sincerity teamed with bold flourishes: a seafood-tinged tartare of veal, ponzu seasoning and smoked John Dory; poultry breast poached in tarragon butter, green pea cream and black garlic.

Purebred Normandy chef Ivan Vautier has been honing his talents for over thirty years in this property, done up in tasteful contemporary vein outside the town centre. Fiercely proud of his region, the chef aims to showcase the very best of Normandy’s ingredients in soul-warming recipes: green asparagus from Bellengreville; wild morels from a local picker; double cream from Isigny Sainte Mère; Normandy raised pork etc, without forgetting the local catch. Those with a sweet tooth will be entranced by the vision of a millefeuille “as high as a skyscraper”!

On a side street of an iconic picturesque village of the Côte Fleurie, the establishment of the Tougard couple, open since the early 2000s, is fronted by a discreet facade. In a snug stylish interior, the chef crafts a score that cleverly slaloms between tradition and modernity. If we were to cite a single example, it would be his talented new take on calf’s head. Flavours and aromas that hit the spot every time. Not to be missed!

Treat yourself to a gourmet country getaway a stone's throw from Caen, in Stéphane Carbone's ruddy terracotta-coloured establishment. The chef, something of a local celebrity, rustles up traditional dishes with a modern twist. A case in point: lightly seared scallops, veg, a spicy cracker and a beetroot and ginger emulsion. Each table commands a fine view of the canal.

Slightly set back from the D-Day landing beaches on the Côte de Nacre, here we are in the very pleasant restaurant of Anthony Vallette, an energetic chef from Normandy, born in Condé-sur-Vire. Over the course of the seasons, he draws on the flavours of the local terroir – fish from the Channel, andouille de Vire, De Bayeux pork – and composes meticulous dishes with just the right amount of daring! His modern cuisine takes its cue from the market and follows his heart… and his personal favourites are reflected in the menu!

When strolling down the main street of Houlgate, you will pass this spruce, slate-roofed villa. In a contemporary, cheerful interior depicted by wood and stone, local lad Maxime Lehoucq has grown into a talented chef. He works with seasonal Normandy ingredients (veal, free-range eggs and cream) together with fish supplied by his fisherman brother from Trouville. Maxime’s bistronomic signature and the occasional exotic note do the rest: flame grilled mackerel, beetroot and seaweed mayonnaise; Prieuré leg of poultry, gnocchi, creamy mushrooms, Comté cheese and hazelnuts. The menu, which changes