Hotels Restaurants And Bars Around St Malo

colin · Post by **colin** » 28 Apr 2022 15:29

Hotels, restaurants and bars in and around St Malo

Please note that these are personal suggestions, based on my preferences and experiences, along with the views of local friends – all French. Some suggestions are just a list of names of establishments I can recommend. Others have comments.

Hotels

In the old town of St Malo, Intra Muros, there is a wide selection of hotels of all sizes and budgets. Les Abers and the Quic en Groigne are good value and with good ambience.

Heading along le Sillon, some more expensive options have great locations, views and other attractions. The Nouveau Monde (see also under restaurants), and the Grand Hotel des Thermes with its spa facilities are up market and excellent. Les Charmettes is much cheaper and is a very popular apéro spot with locals.

Over in St Servan the Manoir du Cunningham, le Valmarin and the Ascott all have a touch of class and character, whilst the Ibis Styles St Malo Port is just a stone’s throw from the ferry and has a car park.

Across the Rance, just on the left above the barrage, is the usefully situated Kyriad with generally low prices. In Dinard consider les Alizées, the Hotel de la Vallée or the Printania. The first is excellent value, but a short walk from the centre and beaches. The other two have location and views on their side. If you are feeling flush, treat yourself to the Castelbrac, simply marvellous.

And, for the adventurous, why not try a Coco Sweet, Coco Chrono or Cahute at the Camping d’Aleth looking down over the port, or the Camping de Port Blanc on the beach at Dinard. Of the 3 options, the Coco Chrono has shower and toilet, whilst the others mean using site facilities. Trendy, modern takes on easy camping, where everything is ready for you. Look them up.

Restaurants

Back Intra Muros try Jean-Yves Bordier’s Autour du Beurre. He is a master butter maker and cheese merchant, supplying the hotel Georges V in Paris and the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes … The Bistrot du Rocher is excellent, and just opposite, the Kaboul does great Afghan food. The Brigantine in the Rue de Dinan, and the Corps de Garde on the walls looking out to sea get our votes amongst a myriad of creperies.

I mentioned the hotel Nouveau Monde, and its restaurant the 7 Mers is top notch, as, of course, are the views. The Amiral replaced the Extra Muros in the Gare Maritime de la Bourse, is fun and also has an interesting view of the harbour. The ex Extra Muros owner now has, amongst other establishments, the Extra Café in the Place de la Grande Hermine not far from the Mediathèque, and in the same building the takeaway Bar à Naan on the Boulevard des Talards.

In St Servan the Bistrot du Solidor and the Corderie are up on the cite d’Aleth, the former has a great value, top class lunch menu, whilst the letter has a lovely view up the Rance. The Saint Placide is a few minutes away, but gastronomic and ideal for a special occasion. The Georges Clemenceau in the bottom part of the shopping street, is new and I am not the only person singing its praises. Don’t miss the marvellous Droguerie de la Marine whilst you are there. At the top of St Servan the Galettes de St Malo for locals and great galettes and crepes. The Dao Vien Chines / Vietnamese is a little further out still. Calm, relaxing, good value and good food. Down on the Sablons marina Le Ponton has new owners since you last visited and is good, with the best home made accras. My “local” is l’Escale, just opposite the slipway. Good local food and the best pizzas in town.

In Dinard, the Pourquoi Pas in the hotel Castelbrac is magic, Didier Méril excellent and the Castor Bellus fun for all ages. Having mentioned camp sites above, the Dome on the site at Port Blanc is literally on the beach, facing the setting sun. Don’t expect high class cuisine, but go with the flow and soak up the rays. The tenants of our house have opened Le Grand Buffet just along from the McDo and Buffalo Grill on the main road into Dinard. French, Italian, Japanese, Seafood and Grill, all you can eat for 15€. Down by the lock in the barrage, behind the Gare Maritime where the Chateaubriand cruises run from, a hidden gem is the Bistrot Quai only open lunchtimes, great couscous Friday and Saturday and a super view of the Rance.

In Cancale, Bertrand Larcher has 2 contrasting offerings at the Breizh Café, with creperie and a surprising Japanese / Breton restaurant. He also has 2 places in St Malo, including the Atelier de la Crepe, where trainees prepare, cook and serve.
South of Cancale, technically in St Meloir des Ondes, Le Coquillage is fabulous. Hugo Roellinger was named best chef in France by Gault et Millau recently, and he is more than a credit to his 3 star father! Local seafood at its very best. The family have gites, cookery school and brilliant spice shops!

Bars

As you may have guessed from above, I drink my café, or demi at l’Escale on the Sablons. Close by, the famous Cunninghams Bar and the south facing Cancalais are deservedly popular. Intra Muros try le St Patrick or le Charlys depending on mood and time of day. The Charmettes along the Sillon is nice, or if you opted for the camping adventure, there is a pop up bar, the Point Zéro in the Aleth camp site with views across the Rance.

finnalyneilishere · Post by **finnalyneilishere** » 28 Apr 2022 16:18

Have you been to L’Auberge de La Porte ? In Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets it’s the nearest decent looking restaurant to the campsite.

colin · Post by **colin** » 28 Apr 2022 17:25

finnalyneilishere wrote: ↑28 Apr 2022 16:18 Have you been to L’Auberge de La Porte ? In Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets it’s the nearest decent looking restaurant to the campsite.

Does an excellent tête de veau ....
Good restaurant in a nice location. The Ty Billig in the centre of St Jouan is decent, and does more than just creperie.

finnalyneilishere · Post by **finnalyneilishere** » 28 Apr 2022 17:27

Followed Ty Billig on Facebook it looks decent , mind the campsite restaurant looks ok aswell, sure I won’t starve .

tumnus2010 · Post by **tumnus2010** » 29 Apr 2022 20:57

Had a very nice dinner in Le Millésime a few years ago, and then the next night at one of the Breton/Japanese restaurants you mentioned, @colin Great selection of local cidre!

penguin · Post by **penguin** » 30 Jul 2023 11:11

Which creperies are recommended at the moment?

In addition to that, are there any restaurants with earlier opening times (6/6:30PM or all day kitchens) that are recommended? We will be travelling with a toddler, so would like to all eat together one evening, factoring in bedtime.

We will be staying between the Intra Muros and Parame, so anywhere in the centre or behind the seafront is of interest!

colin · Post by **colin** » 30 Jul 2023 12:11

Most of the crêperies Intra Muros are good, and in season, many are open all through the day. I pick Le Corps de Garde for the location. The Atelier de la Crêpe is no help to you as not open evenings.

The classics Intra Muros like the Café de l'Ouest have wide opening hours, but you pay tourist prices.

New, good Mexican in Courtoisville, Mucho Gusto.

Other updates. The Kaboul has closed, but at clients' demands he has now opened the Kaboul Grill..
The Bistrot de Solidor has changed hands and gone off a bit.
L'Escale at the Sablons marina is now Les Filles D'Aleth with new young owners. Busy, noisy and food mediocre.
Le Ponton also at the marina is on song.
The Georges Clemenceau has gone.

dibdobber · Post by **dibdobber** » 04 Aug 2023 16:39

Really helpful posting, thanks v much. Would you recommend either the Chateaubriand or the Kyriad in St Malo? we are looking for a one night stay next July on the way to a site in Pontivy. 2 20 something sons and my wife and I and I would like somewhere nice but not too expensive! Would really appreciate any ideas!

colin · Post by **colin** » 04 Aug 2023 16:48

There are 3 Kyriads around St Malo. Kyriad St Malo Plage is the dearest usually, being on the seafront. Easy walk to Intra Muros. The Prestige is on the sort of ring road round the south side of town, so nothing really walkable, but bus services OK. The Kyriad closest to us at La Richardais has a nice location and is easy to get to, but you need to drive to St Malo or Dinard for a meal.

The France et Chateaubriand is bang centre stage, traditional and elegant. Walk everywhere. They can arrange parking, or underground car park just outside the Porte St Vincent. A Japanese colleague stayed there this spring and liked it.

colin · Post by **colin** » 04 Aug 2023 16:52

The new Otonali Hotel on Quai Duguay Trouin is getting decent reviews. Japanese restaurant seems a bit steep ...

tregastel · Post by **tregastel** » 04 Aug 2023 18:00

Our current favourite is Effet Mer. Very small (you need to book), but absolutely superb.

finnalyneilishere · Post by **finnalyneilishere** » 04 Aug 2023 18:35

dibdobber wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023 16:39 Really helpful posting, thanks v much. Would you recommend either the Chateaubriand or the Kyriad in St Malo? we are looking for a one night stay next July on the way to a site in Pontivy. 2 20 something sons and my wife and I and I would like somewhere nice but not too expensive! Would really appreciate any ideas!

I we stayed at Quic En Groinge pretty faultless to be honest wouldn’t hesitate to stay again only negative might be tight garage parking and smallish room, stayed at Kyriad Dinard nice hotel but as Colin says a drive for food and a bit old fashioned but would happily stay again , stayed at Kyriad Prestige good hotel nice secure parking lovely modern room , good breakfast but no eating within walking distance, we’re staying at the Mercure in Dinan for a few days in October great hotel and a short drive to StMalo.

colin · Post by **colin** » 04 Aug 2023 21:11

I have eaten 3 times at L'Effet Mer in the last 18 months. Good, yes, and not Intra Muros so at least a hope of parking. Not my personal favourite, but thank Heavens we are all different. The Indian almost next door is quite good too.

dibdobber · Post by **dibdobber** » 05 Aug 2023 18:41

Thanks Colin and finallynellishere. We have plumped for the Kyriad near the Rance. From the google map there look to be a couple of eateries in the town nearby - L'escale is one - is that the one that has changed its name? are any of them worth going to?

colin · Post by **colin** » 05 Aug 2023 21:52

L'Escale is good. An alternative a 5 minute drive away is L'Inattendu, run by a British woman. The French love her fish and chips and Coronation Chicken. She does more local dishes too. For lunch, the Bistrot Quai du Barrage does brilliant Couscous Friday and Saturday. Good food the other days too, but closed evenings.

dibdobber · Post by **dibdobber** » 07 Aug 2023 19:30

Thanks very much Colin. Quick recommendation from us that you are probably aware of - and looking at tripadvisor there are mixed views- is the bistro at Point Du Grouin near Cancale. we have had lunch there on the last couple of Saturday arrivals to st Malo for our annual trips to Brittany and apart from having amazing views, the meals we have had have been very good too and the service good.

colin · Post by **colin** » 07 Aug 2023 20:30

Indeed. Friends ate there recently and agree with you. A lot of work going on at the Pointe du Grouin right now. Car parks, access roads, walking tracks etc to preserve the site.

ryanh · Post by **ryanh** » 10 Oct 2023 09:30

I've just booked a two night stay for next month using the current 20% off holidays offer through BF (which ends tomorrow). We are staying at the Hotel des Armateurs. Does anyone have any experience of this hotel? The location looks good and it will be an experience for me since I've never stayed in Intra Muros before, always further out along Plage du Silon.

colin · Post by **colin** » 10 Oct 2023 15:10

I don't have info, but will ask around.