The best places to eat oysters on the coast of Normandy

As coastal Normandy is home to some of the finest oyster beds in France, the region is brimming with raw bars, seafood restaurants and oyster farms that serve these local delicacies in style! So where are the best places in Normandy to eat oysters, you may ask? We’ve hand-picked our favourite hot spots to taste the beloved shellfish, offering some of the best seafood experiences along the french coast. With this list, Normandy is your oyster! Shuck, slurp, and savour!

With 640 km of stunning coastline it comes as no surprise that Normandy produces some of the world’s finest oysters. Like wine, terroir and century-long traditions matter when it comes to these refined bivalves. Normandy’s oysters have their own characteristics: they are incomparably fresh, highly iodized and fleshy, with the scent of the sea and a soft nutty taste. Whether they are farmed in Chausey, Saint -Vaast-la-Hougue, Utah Beach, Isigny-sur-Mer, Asnelles or Veules-les-Roses, Normandy’s homegrown exquisite oysters are bound to tantalize your tastebuds all year round !

CHEZ LE PÈRE GUS, in an oyster farm (MANCHE)

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Relax at the counter of this oyster farm warehouse-style shed to enjoy a platter of freshly caught raw oysters as well as homemade fish or shrimp rillettes. If the sun is out, treat yourself to a spot in the sun on the terrace around the oyster ponds or settle inside, with overlooking views across the marshes. This family oyster farm, which is situated in an idyllic situation in Agon-Coutainville between Granville and Barneville-Carteret, was established by Gus in the early 80s and is now run by his son Jean, the new generation of passionate oyster producers!

LA BELLE OSTRÉA (MANCHE)

In addition to oyster farming and operating retail sales, Marie and Arthur have opened a quaint waterside restaurant in Agon-Coutainville that involves feasting on meaty, open-sea oysters from their very own beds on view from the restaurant’s terrace. Looking out to the sea, this cosy, nicely decorated eatery is a favourite for connaisseurs who come here to sit back and soak up the panorama whilst savouring these little gems! 

AU P’TIT MAREYEUR in GRANVILLE (MANCHE)

If you are looking for a relaxed spot to savour very fresh seafood with harbour views, Granville, in the bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel, may be the perfect destination! The terrace of the P’tit Mareyeur remains a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike: a fishmonger and cannery as well as an oyster bar where you can gorge on oysters from the neighboring Chausey islands.

PILLET-SAITER in THE lively FISH MARKET of TROUVILLE-SUR-MER (CALVADOS)

In the heart of Trouville-sur-Mer‘s historical fish market, the Pillet-Saiter fishmonger family has been satisfying gourmets’ seafood cravings for six generations. With fresh fish, shellfish and crustaceans unloaded from the boat onto the stall, this combination of seafood shop and eatery has become a real institution. Should you be in the mood for seafood, taste the famous Asnelles oysters on the spot or the house specialty: a delicious fish soup going by the name of Jeannette.

L’HUÎTRE BRÛLÉE in Honfleur (CALVADOS)

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This gem of a restaurant in Honfleur is Paul and Chloé’s dream come true! Decorated with style, the Burnt Oyster – as it translates – offers a wonderful setting next to the sea and a cosy atmosphere. Oysters aren’t actually burnt and the seafood aficionado chef has a few beautiful recipes in store which conjure the pure essence of the sea!

AN OYSTER BAR ON AN OLD SAILING SHIP IN HONFLEUR (CALVADOS)

What a dreamy maritime setting to eat oysters and savour an endless ocean of flavours! Moored in Honfleur’s outer harbor, the old sailing ship “L’ Union fait la force” offers a unique waterfront dining experience for gourmets, seafood and oyster lovers. No booking is required so you can just turn up for delightfully fresh oysters, full of aromatic flavours!

DÉGUSTATION DE L’ÎLE: A family run RESTAURANT (CALVADOS)

Oyster fishing has always been a way of life for Corentin and Sébastien, who now run their grandfather’s oyster fishery on the waters of Courseulles-sur-Mer. It really is a family affair with Corentin working on the farm and Sébastien as a chef to reveal the oyster’s fresh unique flavour! Enjoy a beautiful view on the oyster ponds and the mill while you indulge in a little dozen served shucked and raw on ice!

LA PERLE D’ISIGNY in CABOURG (CALVADOS)

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In Cabourg, the oyster bar La Perle d’Isigny is the crème de la crème when it comes to serving local top-quality oysters: the meaty Oysters called the “Special of Isigny”. Grown in the naturally iodized waters of the Bay of Veys Estuary by the Lévêque family, father and daughter tirelessly nurture and harvest their oysters to obtain the best flavours. You can try them on the spot, or take away a seafood platter which includes sustainably farmed gambas, whelks and other delicious crustaceans!

Ô BEACH Near the D-Day Landing Beaches (CALVADOS)

This is a favourite foodie spot amongst locals and visitors to Arromanches, one of the 5 major beaches of the D-Day Landings. Nothing beats a little gourmet break after visiting the museums and remembering the thousands of young soldiers who splashed through the surf of Gold Beach on DDay. Ô Beach is perfect place to chill and treat your tastebuds to top quality oysters on the terrace!   

CHEZ LILI, A saturday lunch ritual in le HAVRE (SEINE-MARITIME)

Within a few months after opening in the Saint François district, the bar Chez Lili has become one of Le Havre’ s top spots for locals and visitors for a few good reasons: the atmosphere, the quality of cuisine, the setting facing the fishing harbour. It’s unassuming, unpretentious and unrelenting in dishing up fabulous food! In the late morning on Saturdays, join the gathering to savour oysters from Cotentin washed down with a glass of dry white wine. Heavenly!  

L’ABREUVOIR in one of “France’s Most Beautiful Villages” (SEINE-MARITIME)

From the blue waters of the ocean to its pebble beaches, from the smallest river in France to its waterfront lined with half-timbered houses, Veules-les-Roses is an idyllic village for a leisurely walk on the majestic Alabaster coast… and for enjoying a dozen of mouth-watering oysters! Head to the restaurant l’Abreuvoir to try these succulent delicacies locally caught by oyster farmer Gérard Gallot. You’re in for a serious treat!  

This is just a taster of where to eat oysters along the coast of Normandy. There are lots of other fabulous fishy eateries , seafood restaurants and oyster shacks just waiting to be discovered.