Brest Bites: 5 Top Food & Drink Spots You Can’t Miss

If you are plotting a trip to Brest, France, or perhaps just fantasizing one from your couch, you know, planning where you’ll grab a bite is actually part of the fun. Brest, being a lively port city, has some genuinely amazing spots to eat and drink. Think like, super fresh seafood, cozy cafes, and cool bars with that laid-back Breton vibe. Here’s my rundown, like, a personal guide, really, of the top five places that should definitely be on your Brest food and drink radar.

1. Crêperie Ty Mad: A Taste of Brittany

No trip to Brittany, I’m serious, absolutely none, is truly complete without sinking your teeth into a crepe. And if you’re in Brest, Crêperie Ty Mad is more or less, *the* spot. Tucked away, it gives the air of a cozy spot, Ty Mad offers, what should be noted as, both sweet and savory crepes, or galettes, as they call the buckwheat version, which is just so Breton. That one is definitely, very regional, is what I mean. You know, I remember once I was there during, something like, a misty afternoon; I ordered a galette with andouille sausage and a splash of mustard. Just think of it –the savory crepe melting in my mouth, and honestly, with every bite, I was hit with like, this smokey, earthy flavor. It just hits different, you know? Of course, Ty Mad does crepes loaded with fruit and chocolate too, or other sweet fillings of that nature, if that happens to be what your heart desires. It’s, rather, simple, unpretentious food, done properly.

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2. Le Poisson Rouge: Seafood Sensations

Being in a port city means you should be really eating a ton of seafood. At Le Poisson Rouge (The Red Fish), fresh catches are just the main deal. Located with the harbor nearby, very near, really, it is like, almost a restaurant that oozes nautical charm. And, naturally, the menu is very much about what’s fresh off the boats that day. As a matter of fact, I, personally, still think about this one time that I indulged in this, I don’t know, grilled sea bass with herb butter sauce. It just so, lightly flaky and delicious it might be that it basically made me forget all my troubles for the time I took eating it. From platters stacked really high with oysters to hearty bowls of cotriade, which is a Breton fish stew, the flavors are pure and reflect, as you would expect, the ocean. Oh, you could definitely try the scallops, so, very tasty. You just can not have seafood in Brest and not eat a scallop.

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3. La Base: A Trendy Spot by the Water

Are you wanting like, something a bit more modern? Or just really trendy. La Base has, clearly, got you covered. Set, that is, in a former naval base, this spot is, like, almost an attraction in its own right. With its industrial-chic décor and panoramic harbor views, La Base has a menu full of local produce and that place does know how to turn out some actually inspired dishes. As a matter of fact, there’s also a pretty comprehensive drinks list, if you are into those kinds of things, that I think that many do enjoy. You can try cocktails, craft beers, and a good selection of local wines there. La Base feels that it would be ideal for a chill dinner, yet, you could just really meet some people and stay to party. On some nights, local bands will show up to perform, too.

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4. L’Amiral: Traditional Breton Fare

You are now probably wanting to try classic Breton cuisine. L’Amiral is, really, a local institution. Serving, as you can anticipate, dishes using traditional methods, this bistro just really gives you the real taste of Brittany. I’m telling you! Their menu is filled with all kinds of comforting plates like, you can see, pot-au-feu, which is a beef stew, or their far Breton, which is like, some kind of plum cake. I usually end up, after going out sailing (hypothetically!) really craving that cozy atmosphere so you can actually imagine how welcome I find, when I finally do go to, L’Amiral. I once had some kind of slow-cooked pork belly with cider sauce and the way it tasted then, might have changed my DNA! The staff may appear as though they do not want you there but really they’re genuinely passionate about what they do, but can often be found talking smack with any kind of regular patrons.

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5. Le Celtic: A Lively Pub Experience

What is a city without a good Irish pub? You could find that right in Brest. Le Celtic, is more or less, where to go if you wish to feel more sociable. Is that because it’s where people just kind of congregate to chat, really? What with its friendly staff and like, great selection of beers, including you know, your typical brews, it’s some place I want to stay at if I’m planning an evening that’s out of hand! As a matter of fact, Le Celtic plays, what could be described as, traditional music and screens sporting events, there are tons, that you could probably talk to a fellow punter. I personally witnessed several tourists trying their hardest at a Breton dance there, with several shots down already in the process. Just seeing all the energy, honestly, gave me a memorable time and, you could say, encapsulated that whole, unique Breton feeling.

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