Le Salin

A steadfast champion of his native Manche, intrepid chef, Philippe Hardy, boasts stints in prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants and in the kitchen of the French ambassador in Sofia. It was there that he met his wife, Nadia, a former prima ballerina. Together they have transformed this girls' boarding school into a peaceful boutique hotel-restaurant surrounded by a flower and cottage garden planted with farmer seeds. The delicately crafted, seafood-led menu of wild fish and shellfish can be matched with tea-wine-food or tea-sake-food pairings, even a Gong fu cha tea ceremony.

Chef Frédéric Michel opened this delightful restaurant in his home town with his wife Manuella. He cooks up fresh and bold dishes, precisely cooked and with well-defined flavours, relying as much as possible on short supply chains (local fish and market gardening, Normandy beef).

Just a stone's throw from the romantic ruins of Hambye Abbey, this welcoming hotel-restaurant run by an endearing couple is a hit with the locals. The tastefully restored interior sports a colourful vibe with a fireplace in winter and a large terrace overlooking the Sienne come summertime. The chef, who learned the trade here before moving on to other prestigious establishments, has returned to his roots, producing tasty, no-frills cuisine that draws upon his solid classical background, illustrated by risotto of Pont l'Évêque cheese, andouille sausage, a hint of cider vinegar and a crunchy cra

In Granville, Stéphane Haissant cooks up unpretentious cuisine rooted in the maritime terroir. Quality ingredients are prepared with a true understanding of their flavours: flaked pollock lifted by fruity green peppercorns, leek coulis brightened with curry oil, buckwheat seeds for a crunchy touch; roasted line-caught whiting with toasted hazelnuts, polenta with Parmesan, scallop cream flavoured with pink ginger and tender endives. In the dining room with its "modern beach hut" vibe, you feel like you are on a seaside holiday.

The restaurant's tasteful interior nicely offsets the food, which is devised by an enthusiastic and talented chef, the grandson of a baker. Meticulous cuisine, fine regional produce and culinary delights: quite simply, the best restaurant in Granville.

In this picturesque village bistro complete with a wine shop, chef Lionel Cotentin (what a coincidence!) draws on his strong culinary background and premium local produce – organic market garden vegetables, small-scale fishing – to whip up a concise, seasonal menu. The cuisine is modern, meticulous and forthright: home-smoked mackerel, stracciatella and basil-flavoured olive oil sauce; loin of ling, Carnaroli risotto and beurre blanc. Cheerful, spot on service and sensible prices.

Tasty wholesome food crafted from top-notch local produce at eater-friendly prices: such is the pledge of the Lefèvre couple who runs this welcoming inn built out of local stone – formerly the village bar and grocery shop. A bright, trendy interior with a pleasant alfresco space for sunny days and a rotisserie in the hall that fills the dining room with the enticing aromas of dishes of the day such as chicken colombo.