With its abundance of day-trippers and hotel guests, Honfleur supports an astonishing number of restaurants
, most specializing in seafood. Surprisingly few face onto the harbour
itself; the narrow buildings around the edge seem to be better suited
to being snack bars, crêperies, cafés and ice-cream parlours.
L'Absinthe
, 10 quai de la Quarantaine (tel 02.31.89.39.00). Imaginative
restaurant housed in an eighteenth-century mansion just around the
corner from the bassin . Such dishes as scallop carpaccio or
foie gras in ginger nestle on menus that range from €26.68 to a
seven-course €57.93 extravaganza. Closed mid-Nov to Dec.
Auberge de la Lieutenance
, 12 place Ste-Catherine (tel 02.31.89.07.52). Not in fact by the
Lieutenance, despite the name. Plenty of outdoor seating on the cobbled
pedestrian square, facing both church and belfry. Gourmet dining with a
heavy emphasis on oysters; menus start at €18.29. Closed Sun evening
& mid-Nov to Dec.
Au P'tit Mareyeur
, 4 rue Haute (tel 02.31.98.84.23). No distance from the centre, but
all the seating is indoors and there are no views. Very good fish
dishes - red crab soup with garlic - plus plenty of creamy pays d'Auge
sauces and superb desserts. The main menu, at €19.06, includes skate
marinated in coriander; for a €6.10 supplement you can also enjoy warm
oysters. Closed Mon & Tues.
Taverne de la Mer
, 35 rue Haute (tel 02.31.89.57.77). Small converted bar, with no
outdoor seating, but a magnificent selection of fresh seafood. The main
set menu, at €19.06, consists almost entirely of fish, though there is
a token " pièce de viande "; you can also get a large assiette de fruits de mer for a similar price, or lesser menus at €11.43 and €14.48. Closed Mon & Tues lunch.
La Tortue
, 36 rue de l'Homme de Bois (tel 02.31.98.87.91). A welcoming place
near the Musée Boudin, where €15.24 buys a great-value five-course
meal; there's also a €11.74 vegetarian menu, consisting of apple soup
or vegetables followed by cheese or salad. Closed Tues & mid-Jan to
mid-Feb.
Le Vieux Honfleur
, 13 quai St-Étienne (tel 02.31.89.15.31). The best of the restaurants
around the harbour itself, with spacious alfresco dining - in shade at
lunchtime - on its pedestrianized eastern side. Very simple menus, but
the seafood is very good, as befits prices starting at €26.68. Closed
Jan.
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