7 Best Restaurants in Brittany, France

Not all crêpes are created equal, and you'll taste the difference at Bertrand Larcher's original Cancale flagship (his Paris outpost is the city's go-to crêperie). Traditional crispy buckwheat galettes are given a modern gourmet twist with the best locally sourced ingredients—organic eggs and vegetables, artisanal cheeses, local oysters and seafood, free-range meats, smoked or seaweed butter from the St-Malo–based dairy superstar Jean-Yves Bordier—and the tender white-flour dessert crêpes are to die for. Do not say no to the salted-caramel version, a world-famous recipe launched in Brittany, or the classic crêpe suzette served flambéed. Include a top-notch cider (for a real treat, try an apple or pear version from Eric Bordelet), and you'll see what makes a Breton crêpe the great French fast food.

When in Rennes, don't miss the chance to do what the natives do: feast on authentic Breton crêpes. For your main course, savory galettes made with buckwheat flour come with a huge range of fillings, from egg and sausage to tiny shrimps and mussels. There are also vegetarian options, like spinach and goat cheese. For dessert, don't skimp on delicious fruit jam or salted caramel-filled crêpe, or the queen herself, the crêpe Suzette—doused with Grand Marnier and set aflame at your table. Wash it all down with a nice dry artisanal Breton cider.

What better setting than this historic half-timbered building, just steps from the cathedral, for a taste of authentic Breton cuisine at its best? This unusually snazzy crêperie (forget the lace curtains and wooden tables) also has an outdoor terrace and one of the city's more inventive menus, where you'll choose from a list of galettes—all named George—like blue cheese, pear, speck ham, and crème fraîche; or beef carpaccio, mozzarella, tomato tapenade, Parmesan, and potatoes with wasabi ice cream. The dessert crepes are no less inventive; try the Chamallow, with salted caramel, homemade marshmallows, bourbon-infused vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream. There's also a great selection of artisanal ciders, like the rosé version, Cidre de Brocéliande.

It may not be the fanciest restaurant in Nantes or the most central, but Les Chants d'Avril is where the locals go for affordable "bistronomic" fare. Murals, dark-wood paneling, and leather banquettes lend a warm, traditional look; the attention to market-driven ingredients and interesting wines, however, puts it on par with the best modern bistrôts à vin. You can be sure you're getting the freshest seasonal ingredients, as the chef offers one menu each day based on what's best at market, though he will tailor to special needs. The prices for this caliber of dining are exceptional (3-course dinner, €35; lunch, €20, €25).

Everybody loves an authentic French brasserie, but very few of these establishments strive to maintain a quality worthy of their traditional cachet; happily, Le Galopin is one of them. The vintage murals, wood paneling, and plush banquettes are the perfect backdrop for all those traditional French favorites: a heaping plate of oysters followed by steak or fish tartare, Breton lobster, grilled gambas shrimp, or marinated Wagyu beef. Spectacular desserts include all the classics like baba au rhum, crème brûlée, or Breton sablée, a local specialty. For a top-notch meal that won't break the bank, this Rennes institution is a good choice.

Part of the Breizh Café crêperie empire, this chic little tearoom is where you can enjoy truly gourmet creations, all made from buckwheat, with a Japanese inflection. Try artisanal Breton ham with comté cheese, beurre Bordier, candied onions, and a side of seaweed pickles. Or if you prefer a savory pie, you'll find versions like artichoke, goat cheese, and zucchini with a buckwheat crust on the daily menu. Pastry chef Mayumi Okusa's exceptionally delicate dessert crêpes are a must; options include fresh strawberries and yuzu cream; salted caramel; or chestnut cream with vanilla mousse, candied chestnuts, and meringue. If you're inspired, stop into La Maison du Sarrasin next door to shop the best of Brittany's culinary delights.