A few recommendations to make the most of the rest of your stay in Nantes

Chez Manu

A place like no other. Manu was a sommelier for the famous three-Michelin-star chef Bernard Loiseau, and it shows immediately in the quality of his selection. Passionate, he knows his bottles inside out and loves sharing his knowledge. Just be ready for a colourful experience: he has character and might well tell you a few memorable stories over a glass.

Cheese & Friends

Located right in the center of Nantes near the place Graslin, on rue Racine, Cheese & Friends is a cozy bar created by two buddies and entirely dedicated to the love of cheese. The concept is all about gathering to share generous themed or custom-made cheese boards, paired with fine charcuterie and good wines sourced from the local wine merchant. It's a fantastic place because the atmosphere is ultra-friendly and relaxed, truly making it feel "just like home". With its high-quality products and unmissable Tuesday fondue nights, it really is the perfect spot to set the world to rights and discovering truly wonderful french cheeses.

You are in the right city. Nantes has a particularly dynamic and creative brewing scene.

Little Atlantic Brewery

Set in the former Chantiers de l'Atlantique building in Chantenay, this brewery combines craft beers, food and a huge terrace by the Loire. It is worth going just to discover the extraordinary architecture of the building and the view over the river.

Mash-Up

My favourite, as much for the food as for the beer. This is the Tête Haute brewery, an innovative microbrewery known for its original recipes and successful experiments, which also has an admirable social mission: creating jobs for people in difficulty. The food menu is as good as the beer.

Aerofab Tap Bar

A friendly spot on the Hangar à Bananes where you can enjoy the best sunset in the city. The bar serves Aerofab's craft beers, the brewer who perhaps works with the greatest precision to make his products stand out from the crowd.

La Bourriche

Perched above Place Graslin, this address has become a reference for seafood lovers. Quality oysters, a well-chosen Muscadet, a pleasant setting: hard to do better. To be honest, I won't even recommend an alternative, the experience is that good.

La Casa

This barge moored on the Erdre serves excellent cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere. The tapas menu pairs perfectly with the drinks, and the view over the river gives the place real charm.

Sœurs Carnage

Located on rue Léon Blum, this gastronomic cocktail bar is among the best of its kind in France. The creations are original, technical and surprising. Rue Léon Blum itself is worth the detour: it is one of the liveliest streets in Nantes for a drink or a bite to eat.

Le Lieu Unique

The former LU biscuit factory is now one of the iconic cultural venues of Nantes. Between exhibitions, shows, a bookshop, a hammam and a bar, the place is worth a visit on its own. Its large terrace by the Saint-Félix canal is an ideal setting for a drink before catching the train.

Le Petit Baigneur

Right across from the Lieu Unique, this barge has a lovely sunny rooftop terrace. It is the perfect place to enjoy the last rays of sunshine while watching the cormorants that regularly gather under the nearby bridges.

Magmaa Food Hall

Located on the Île de Nantes, this vast food hall brings together a dozen different cuisines under one roof. Everyone can choose what they fancy: Asian food, street food, world specialities, vegetarian options... A perfect solution for groups. Expect to pay between €10 and €20 per person.

A good crêperie

Because we are still in historic Brittany after all!
Heb Ken the most renowned and respected crêperie.
Le Milan et le Rossignol the new challenger with what it takes to dethrone the master.
Le Loup, le Renard et la Galette if you would like to dine in the heart of the historic lanes of the Bouffay district.
Expect to pay between €10 and €20.

Le Mirza

In the Saint-Mihiel district, this address offers generous, creative cooking deeply rooted in local produce. The dishes are designed to be shared in a festive and friendly atmosphere. Special mention too for the wine list, which is particularly good. Expect to pay between €15 and €30.

Le Petit Nakama

In the heart of the creative district on the Île de Nantes, a couple from the South-West decided to introduce the people of Nantes to Japanese culture. Although the mix might seem strange at first glance, the fusion works perfectly. You will enjoy the best Okonomiyaki (cabbage and bacon omelette) and the most tender Karaage chicken in the whole city, all paired with a very good wine in an atmosphere worthy of the best Japanese Nakama (tapas bars). Expect to pay between €15 and €30 with wine.

Le Louisette

For simple, local cooking at affordable prices, for lunch or dinner, I don't know a better place.

La Mandale

On rue Léon Jamin, a street worth visiting just for its village atmosphere. For me, it is one of the best bistronomic tables in Nantes. Seasonal produce, precise cooking, attentive service: it is all there. Remember to book, the place is very popular. Expect around €30 to €40.

Battos

My personal favourite.
The restaurant offers French cuisine open to the world, made exclusively from fresh, raw, seasonal produce. In the kitchen, Gladys has worked in several prestigious houses, notably alongside Yannick Alléno, at La Chèvre d'Or and with Yoric Tièche. You find that exacting standard in every dish, without ever losing the warm and welcoming side.

Maison Thénardier

Hidden gem alert! In the heart of the Commerce district, Maison Thénardier stands as a true temple of conviviality and gastronomy. Far from the reputation of its famous literary namesakes, this must-visit spot instantly captivates with its warm atmosphere and highly attentive staff. On the plate, you will find a single monthly set menu featuring only fresh, seasonal ingredients crafted with expertise and finesse.

And above all, it is the only quality restaurant in Nantes that will welcome you until 12:01 AM! (closing at 1:00 AM)—a true feat and a promise! Starter/main/dessert menu between €25 and €35.

To start the evening in a friendly, laid-back atmosphere, push open the door of the Ribouldingue, a dancing bar loved for its festive vibe from early in the evening and its playlists ranging from the great classics of the 1980s to today.

If the energy is still there, head to the Marlowe, a free nightclub built inside a former church. The average age is over 25, which helps keep the crowd from being too young if that is your goal. For those who prefer to sing along, head to the Mess, a must for karaoke fans in Nantes. Between French chanson classics, international hits and improvised performances, the atmosphere is often as festive as it is memorable.

Head to the Île de Nantes.

You can start at the Bras de Fer, a dancing bar that regularly hosts House or Disco DJ sets, then continue:

- at the Warehouse, a huge club that regularly hosts major international and national artists;
- La Chaumière for a more local outdoor vibe (open in the summer season only);
- Lieu Unique at the weekend for its indoor DJ set nights.

I recommend starting the evening at the Montecito, a dancing bar that regularly hosts cabarets, Drag Shows and generally inclusive events, then continuing at the Petit Marais, a free but rather small LGBT club. These are among the most inclusive, festive and welcoming places in the city.

To dance until the early hours, the CO2 remains a safe bet over in Chantenay.

The must-visit address is Le Ferrailleur, on the Hangar à Bananes. A true institution of the Nantes rock and metal scene.

Nantes is one of the most dynamic French cities in this field.

You can start the evening at the bars Enfin. by the Paco Tyson collective or at Salut Marcel, before heading to the legendary Macadam, a slick techno club with an aesthetic inspired by Berlin clubs.

As the Macadam is located in Chantenay, its neighbouring bar, Ohm Town, now lets you spend the whole evening on the same site, between aperitif, DJ sets and club.

To follow the electronic events of the moment, the Set Semaine app is an excellent resource.

The Mixt, a new major venue for the performing arts in Nantes, stands out as a hybrid cultural space where theatre, dance, music and contemporary creation meet. Set on the entirely redesigned site of the former Grand T, the place surprises with its architecture open to the outside, with its modular spaces, performance halls and creation areas visible to the public.

The Stereolux is THE Nantes concert hall. It stands out as one of the major cultural venues of Nantes, set in the heart of the Île de Nantes, beneath the emblematic Nefs of the former shipyards. Its eclectic programming includes all the big names of today and tomorrow.

For an evening under the sign of laughter, Nantes offers several stages dedicated to stand-up and improv.

The Micro Comedy Club offers an intimate atmosphere where comedians follow one another up close to the audience, in a deliberately small room that strengthens the closeness and the exchange with the artists. It is an ideal place to discover young talents as well as more established comedians, in a simple, direct and effective format.

In a more interactive register, my favourite, le Mystère Impro Club puts theatrical improvisation in the spotlight, with shows where everything is built live from the audience's suggestions. The energy is often unpredictable, between completely offbeat scenes, spontaneous stories and moments of pure collective creativity, which makes each performance unique.

Finally, the Smile Comedy Club has established itself as a reference for Nantes stand-up, with regular programming of artists from all over France. In a warm and relaxed atmosphere, the audience gathers to share line-ups of varied comedians, between headliners and new faces, in a venue designed to make the most of the stand-up experience.

Nantes is a city of stand-up and improv theatre; nearly every bar has its own programming. Don't hesitate to check on Instagram, you will be sure to find something you like.