Explore the Culinary Delights of Brittany
The culinary heritage of Brittany is unique and unmatched anywhere else in France. This northwestern region offers limited local cheeses and practically no wines; its dining culture revolves around crêpes. Crêpes come served with various toppings, with traditional stone-walled crêperies scattered across cities, towns, and villages—akin to the trattorias of Rome and the bistros of Paris. While simple in concept, crêpes are remarkably delicious and versatile, promising to captivate your taste buds.
Brittany is renowned for its incredibly high-quality produce, from freshly caught fish and shellfish to some of the best pork in the country. Although dishes may appear unadorned, they are usually hearty and flavorful, guaranteed to satisfy.
1. Savor a galette complète
The variety of galettes—savory crêpes—available in most crêperies can be overwhelming. When unsure, opt for the classic complète, featuring egg, ham, and cheese folded inside a light, crispy pancake. Feel free to customize by adding extras like onion compote or sautéed mushrooms. Many locals wouldn’t mind if you even ordered seconds!
Where to try it: Galette complète can be found at every crêperie throughout Brittany, including notable spots such as Crêperie Saint-Guenhaël in Vannes and La Touline in St-Malo.
2. Satisfy Your Cravings with galette-saucisse
A delightful twist on traditional galettes, galette-saucisse consists of a grilled pork sausage wrapped in a pancake. While debates may arise among purists, many agree it’s even better with onion compote and mustard. A staple of the street-food scene in eastern Brittany, this dish is prevalent throughout Rennes.
Where to try it: Every Saturday, the aroma of galette-saucisse fills the air at Rennes’ renowned Marché des Lices.
3. Indulge in kig ha farz
One of Brittany’s landmark dishes, kig ha farz is not suited for vegetarians. Translating to “meat” (kig) and “stuffing” (farz), it resembles the traditional pot-au-feu crafted in other regions of France. Typically consisting of pork and beef stewed with vegetables, it’s served alongside a pudding made from buckwheat flour. Often accompanied by lipig, a rich buttery-onion sauce, it promises a hearty meal.
Where to try it: Kig ha farz is best discovered in the northwest of Brittany. While it tends to remain a family recipe, Le Restaurant Breton in St-Frégant features it on the menu every other Thursday.
4. Delight in a Seafood Platter
Brittany’s proximity to the sea is reflected in its culinary offerings. The region is famous for its wide array of shellfish, and seafood platters feature delicacies such as oysters, crab, prawns, and lobster.
Where to try it: Enjoy your seafood platter ideally on a sunny terrasse overlooking the sea, such as Au Pied d’Acheval in Cancale.
5. Savor the cotriade
Brittany’s equivalent of Marseille’s bouillabaisse, cotriade is a comforting stew made with various local fish and shellfish. Historically prepared by fishermen, this dish features mussels, prawns, sardines, mackerel, and sea bream, simmered with vegetables and potatoes in broth and white wine.
Where to try it: For an authentic cotriade, visit Entre Terre et Mer in Lorient.
6. Experience the Versatility of Seaweed
Brittany’s coast hosts Europe’s largest seaweed harvesting area, with various edible species available. Seaweed often appears in restaurant dishes as sides, tartares, or sprinkled atop main courses, offering a range of flavors from salty to nutty.
Where to try it: Ima in Rennes is a fusion restaurant that centers on local seaweed, crafting innovative dishes that highlight this unique ingredient.
7. Indulge in Salted-Butter Caramel
Bretons hold a strong conviction: butter should always be salted. This belief birthed one of the region’s most cherished treats—salted-butter caramel. This thick, sweet sauce serves as an excellent topping for crêpes, cakes, and ice cream, and is also delicious on its own.
Where to try it: You can find crêpe caramel au beurre salé at any reputable crêperie. Acclaimed establishments like Crêperie Au Vieux Quimper in Quimper consistently serve homemade caramel.
8. End on a Sweet Note with kouign amann
Translating to “butter cake,” kouign amann is an indulgent pastry made from layers of dough packed with copious amounts of butter and sugar, resulting in perfect caramelization. Often enhanced with salted-butter caramel or baked apples, this delightful treat is a must-try for any dessert lover.
Where to try it: For a heavenly experience, visit François Kouign Amann in Vannes, known for its deliciously gooey kouign amann.
9. Relish the Taste of far breton
Despite its unassuming appearance, far breton is Brittany’s specialty cake, resembling flan but denser and flavored with salted butter. The traditional version includes prunes and a hint of rum.
Where to try it: Most bakeries in Brittany serve far breton, with a particularly delicious version available from A La Belle Meunière in St-Cast-le-Guildo, which was recognized for excellence in the region.
10. Enjoy Breton Cider and lambig
In Brittany, cider reigns supreme over wine. Pair your galettes and crêpes with a bowl of fine cidre breton, available in numerous varieties ranging from sweet to bitter. Don’t miss the chance to explore local ingredients by visiting a cidrerie. For a stronger finish, try lambig, a Breton brandy made by distilling cider.
Where to try it: Local ciders are widely available in bars and restaurants throughout Brittany. Plan a visit to Manoir du Kinkiz near Quimper, one of the most respected cider producers, for an unforgettable tasting experience.
