Bed & Breakfast Chateau Les Cèdres

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.

This 18C listed stately home is framed by formal gardens set in landscaped grounds. This special occasion decor provides the perfect foil to a polished pedigree score of Gallic classics, jazzed up with personal touches in tune with the seasons of Normandy. First-class jus, sauces and craftsmanship courtesy of a virtuoso chef. Le 1715 bistro, established in the former library, serves simpler and more affordable fare.

This restaurant in a 15C building, tucked away in a picturesque side street, is the lair of a cheerful couple, Simon and Linda Boudet. He crafts flavoursome seasonal nosh that celebrates Gallic culinary traditions. Good country cooking with the odd more contemporary touch: salmon gravlax, dill, beetroot and wasabi; chicken breast, roast apricot, polenta fries and rosemary-flavoured poultry gravy. The 100% homemade profiterole is an exquisite blend of fluffy and crunchy – to die for!

This restaurant just behind the cathedral is known for its market-fresh cuisine that is full of flavour, flawlessly prepared and delivers on its promises. Examples include house-made ravioli with ricotta, spinach and mandarin beurre blanc; cacio e pepe-style celeriac "tagliatelle" with pecorino espuma and breaded egg. Ever popular, not least thanks to its eater-friendly prices.

On the corner of Rue Saint Laurent and Rue des Bouchers, Luc Catherine in the kitchen and Stéphanie Amy in the dining room have brilliantly preserved the soul of this establishment, following a warm, fashionable makeover featuring bare stones and beams. Top-notch ingredients, indulgent, nostalgic recipes and artful plating are the name of the game: gazpacho of green peas with an organic poached egg; smoked pork cutlet with saté-laced risotto of noodles and a cheesecake version of Breton shortbread. Slick service and sensible prices: what’s not to like?

After a stint at L'Espérance in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, chef Kim Ortin opened his first restaurant with his partner Hélène on this spot not far from the Abbaye aux Hommes. In this compact bistro designed for food lovers, he does not directly reference his Caribbean origins, but rather draws on his many travels to concoct his well-constructed contemporary cuisine: tuna tataki with poppy seeds and wasabi mayonnaise; rosemary-infused cod, sweet potato purée with vanilla, grilled chorizo cream. For all that, the chef doesn't forget the comforting classics: roasted farmhouse Camembert; beef fillet

Not far from the stunning Abbaye aux Hommes, this small restaurant is the domain of chef Maxime Le Gallo (previously of Château d'Audrieu, Manoir du Lys). He prepares mouth-watering dishes celebrating the Normandy terroir. His dishes are often enhanced by a touch of creativity, as is the case in the starter of Coco de Paimpol beans, Vire andouille sausage and seaweed, or the main combining pork loin, celery and liquorice. Simple yet complex!