LES AJONCS

The petrol-blue frontage of this restaurant between the River Jaudy and Cathédrale Saint-Tugdual draws the eyes of passers-by. Inside the small rustic-style space, with white roughcast walls, exposed beams and old stonework, an appetising market-fresh menu is served: foie gras marbled with red wine; roast cod with Coco de Paimpol haricot beans; financier with pan-fried apricots. The chef, who boasts a great CV, draws on both tradition and bistronomy to concoct dishes that are inspired by regional produce. Wide choice of wines by the glass. The bill won't break the bank.

This pretty stone house in Brélévenez (a neighbourhood of Lannion) is run by Priscilla and Christophe Le Marrec. Business is booming and bookings are advisable – at least 2 months in advance! Rather than luck, their success is due to the hard work and talent of the chef, formerly of La Ville Blanche (Rospez), who deftly crafts an intelligent score loaded in flavour. The food is beautifully plated, the bread is house made and the setting is modern and pared back – what’s not to like?

Overlooking the Côte de Granit Rose with the Sept-Îles archipelago on the horizon, this establishment blends modern-day Brittany with exceptional drop-dead views over the Channel from both the restaurant and bar. As for the food, while fish and shellfish take centre stage on the seafood-centric menu, the score also reveals a generous take on Brittany's homegrown ingredients.

Close to the town centre, Gwinizh Du – which means "buckwheat" in Breton, referring to the key ingredient in savoury pancakes – is shaking up the crêperie genre with an inventive menu. In an intimate, contemporary bistro-style space with an open kitchen, they serve galettes that are firmly local: 90% of the ingredients are sourced from within a 30km radius. The original creations, some even made with fermented foods, change with the seasons. And purists can compose their own savoury galettes and sweet crêpes, choosing from the list of carefully selected ingredients chalked up on a slate board.

This granite, glass and steel structure commands a breath-taking panoramic view over the coast and the bay of the Sept-Îles archipelago from its chic black-and-white interior. The subtle, meticulous cuisine oscillates between classicism and creativity, with the occasional more exotic note, such as raviole of duck foie gras and tonka bean cream or Breton lobster rubbed in saté and served with a red lentil houmous. From Tuesday to Saturday, the evening menu errs towards ambitious, with a more bistronomic streak the rest of the time.

An explosion of greenery sets the scene for a splendid lineup of dishes, scattered with the odd creative touch. The spot-on result stars punchy flavours and meticulous plating. Meals are served in a magnificent greenhouse or on the alfresco patio that is bliss in fine weather.

In a small village, this discreet old house that has been turned into a cosy restaurant also has a terrace giving onto a bucolic garden. The butterfly (balafenn in Breton) – the emblem of this restaurant and its cuisine – appears everywhere, from the decor to the flower beds. The chef's culinary signature is carefully crafted modern cuisine that showcases seasonal Breton produce. The monkfish with peas, carrots and cherry pickles is a perfect example: precisely cooked, well-balanced flavours and beautifully presented. The chef's wife extends a warm welcome.