Top 10 culinary specialities in Vannes

Brittany may be known for its strong maritime character and endless landscapes, but there’s one aspect of the region that doesn’t get talked about enough, and yet deserves our full attention. And that is its gastronomy. Breton cuisine is a perfect blend of products from the land and the sea, making it a varied and copious cuisine. So, whether you’re a vegetable lover, a first-class carnivore or a vegetarian at heart, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. Among the vast array of culinary delights on offer, some are unmissable in Brittany, while others are unique to the Vannes region. Without further ado, discover these gems that will have you eagerly anticipating a visit to this fortified town in north-west France.

What to eat in Vannes

1. The Atlantic seafood platter

Earlier, we mentioned that Brittany is known for its maritime character. That’s why we had to start this ranking with the legendary Atlantic seafood platter, which turns a lot of heads. It showcases the ocean’s most mouth-watering treasures, with their unique, refined flavours: lobster, oysters, prawns, shellfish, various molluscs… This is a fresh meal, perfect if you’re travelling during the summer and want to mix cooked and raw foods. The seafood platter is a speciality of Brittany, and is easy to find in Vannes.

2. The Breton palet

It’s impossible to talk about Brittany without mentioning the merits of the famous palet breton, which is known almost all over the world. This very light dry biscuit is particularly appreciated for its shortbread dough, which gives it a slightly grainy texture. It is most recognisable by its slightly thick shape. If you’ve ever wondered why this biscuit is so delicious, it’s partly thanks to the addition of semi-salted butter with vanilla sugar. A real treat! Here’s a dish you can eat at any time of day: morning, noon and night, without ever getting tired of it!

3. Andouille de Guéméné

Many Bretons would agree that andouille de Guéméné is THE Breton speciality par excellence. In the town of Vannes, it is undoubtedly the flagship dish that tops restaurant menus and is so popular with customers that the flavours are intoxicating. This delicatessen, made from pork chops strung one behind the other, can be eaten as a main course, but also on a buckwheat pancake, as a simple plate of cold meats, or grilled or cooked with mustard. It’s all up to you! Since 1994, there has even been a festival in honour of this dish, to promote “artisanal andouille”.

4. Tome de Rhuys

In every country you visit, you’ll almost always find a cheese specific to the town you live in. In the town of Vannes, the tome de Rhuys is the dairy product to be found on every table, whether for breakfast or a snack. The milk comes from Breton pies-noirs cows reared in the Gulf of Morbihan. The cheeses are then rubbed by hand with Guérande salt, giving them a pronounced, unique flavour. The rind is crumbly, while the inside is soft with hints of fruity and floral aromas. Savoury and sweet in one and the same ingredient…

5. Buckwheat crisps

For the duration of your stay, put aside the classic crisps we’re all familiar with. These chips are made with palm oil. Buckwheat crisps are made from buckwheat and are crispy, making them an excellent accompaniment to a successful aperitif. Naturally gluten-free, buckwheat is explosive on the palate, and you’ll love the light hazelnut flavour that gently titillates the palate and tantalises the senses. It’s a bit like the typical dish we like to bring back from our stay in Brittany and which will remain engraved in our memory for a long time, for its original taste.

6. Organic beer

We’re talking about food, yes, but what about drink? The nectar you’re sure to find in every bar and brewery in Vannes is without doubt organic beer. Delicious and melt-in-your-mouth, it is distinguished from other beers by its citrus notes and very fine head. Brittany’s craft beers are always a hit with visitors, who are quick to take part in tasting workshops, and eager to find out more about this divine cocktail. What’s more, if you’re travelling to Vannes with friends and looking for somewhere to party, you’ll be delighted to drink organic beer in one of the town’s pubs.

7. Tinned fish from La Belle-Iloise

Here’s another staple of Breton cuisine, just like the country itself: fresh canned fish. Much eaten in Vannes, mackerel, sardines and tuna are served with a fresh salad and can also be added to soups. Alternatively, they can be eaten in rillettes, which bring out the flavour of the lean meat even more. Fish is also an important health resource that shouldn’t be overlooked. Rich in omega-3 acids, it helps prevent cardiovascular disease. Everything is good in fish!

8. The niniches of Quiberon

If you’ve just arrived in Vannes, you’re bound to see these sweets everywhere: niniches de Quiberon. They’re sold in shops, sweet shops and stalls, and come in a variety of colours to delight young and old alike. In 1946, the sweet created by Yvonne and Raymond Audebert was voted “Best Sweet in France”. Today, you can find them all over Brittany, with different flavours to suit different tastes and preferences. It’s never too late for a sweet treat!

9. Desplousse chocolate oysters

Who here is crazy about chocolate? Once you’ve tasted the delicious Desplousse oysters, you’ll be sure to appreciate this delicacy even more. In the town of Vannes, you’re sure to come across the Desplousse chocolate factory and its praline-filled wonders. Chocolate is known for its anti-depressant properties. It’s a food that helps to reduce stress and anxiety, is a source of happiness, and even helps to cure depression. So many benefits in one sweet little square! Once you’re in Vannes, you’ll finally be able to indulge in these precious sweets.

10. Salidou cream

Navaway finishes off this appetising ranking with Salidou’s cream. To give you an idea, it’s a bit like the “Breton nutella” par excellence. However, you won’t find any palm oil in it, but rather butter, and Salidou cream is generally used as an accompaniment to ice cream, or on bread. It’s a salted butter caramel cream that delights the taste buds and will melt even the sweetest of palates! Better still, it’ll add a touch of sweetness to your pancakes and waffles, so don’t hesitate for a single second!