Les Chambres du Chataignier

A stone's throw from the River Eure, this modern restaurant showcases the talents of chef Valentin Harou and pastry chef Alice Picard, both of whom trained at prestigious establishments such as Le Meurice, Le K2 and L'Oiseau Blanc. Their cuisine aligns with the seasons and makes the most of local produce, particularly by drawing ingredients from the chef's father's vegetable garden and a permaculture farm. This meticulous sourcing pays tribute to Normandy's terroir through creative dishes incorporating nods to the producers.

The name may evoke Normandy and its apples, and it may have a half-timbered façade that is typical of the region, but that's where the cliché ends! Inside you will encounter a very contemporary decor, with a bright dining area with large picture windows affording views out over the garden. The dishes, which showcase local producers, include carpaccio of scallops from Normandy, poached monkfish with a coulis of watercress from Cailly-sur-Eure, and farm-raised veal chop casserole.

In an ideal location in the heart of the old town, this restaurant has three areas: the main dining room with a view into the kitchen, a pleasantly secluded terrace and Le Balcon de l'Odas, a private lounge with a view of the cathedral. Chef Suzanne Da Silva's resolutely seasonal cuisine boldly draws on her origins in the north of France and ingredients from Normandy's terroir: vegetables from a market gardener in the Eure, farmhouse cream, organic mushrooms from a local mushroom farm, bread made by a Meilleur Ouvrier de France in Rouen, and fish from nearby fish markets. She puts it all to go

A former Top Chef contestant, who hails from the South of France, has set up shop in this half-timbered house on Place de la Pucelle. In a contemporary bistro, which still boasts its period beams, the chef orchestrates an enticing lineup: squid tagliatelle, carbonara with guanciale; flame-licked horse mackerel, confit aubergines and pesto rosso; dark chocolate and praliné mousse, smoked fleur de sel, Espelette pepper and peanut ice cream. A savvy modern spin, seasonal ingredients and a more ambitious evening lineup set the scene.

This small village inn with a buzzy modern streak has been run by the same couple for over 25 years. As enthusiastic as ever, chef Éric Georget rustles up generous, modern cuisine that makes the mouth water, presented in a set and à la carte menus. Painstakingly selected produce goes into dishes that are packed with flavour: gravlax of Scottish salmon and medley of beetroot; Black Angus flank steak and a voatsiperifery pepper sauce. Pleasant terrace and guestrooms for overnight stays.

Between the River Seine and the cathedral, this restaurant sports a black and red geometrical design. The son of a market gardener with a passion for veg, the chef infuses his cuisine with flavours in the zeitgeist. He gives free rein to his imagination and creativity in a carte blanche menu: beetroot, hibiscus and smoked cream; seabass, Pontoise cabbage and a spicy hollandaise.

In a cobbled lane opposite the church, Église St Maclou, a new gourmet haven awaits foodies in the historical heart of Rouen. Japanese chef Takahiro Oikawa, a devotee of French gastronomy, cooks up his brand of seasonal French cuisine, infused with Japanese accents. He crafts wonderfully vibrant no-nonsense dishes, such as pâté en croûte with confit octopus and yuzu, aubergine-miso dip, karaage-style veal sweetbreads, followed by silky custard tart for dessert: this chef has mastered every aspect of his art.