Travel season is here, and I want to help you discover and taste the best of France. While I’ve already shared resources for Paris, many other cities offer exciting and delicious experiences. For this series, I asked a team of French bloggers from across the country to recommend their favorite local spots. Here are the picks from Nantes, chosen by Stef and Cha.
In Nantes, Stef and Cha recommend…
Meet our Nantes guides, Stef and Cha, who share their love for the city on their blog, Les Ptits Bonheurs à Nantes. Their site is full of local tips, events, and hidden gems — celebrating the small moments of happiness that make everyday life brighter.
A market or food shop: The Talensac Market
Talensac is a must-visit for market lovers. A beloved institution for les Nantais, this bustling market hosts around 150 vendors offering fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and specialty items. Open Tuesday through Sunday morning, it’s the perfect place to shop for high-quality ingredients to take home or to enjoy a meal on one of the surrounding café terraces.
Where to go for sweet eats: La Passagère
Le Passage Pommeraye © Régis Routier, Ville de Nantes
La Passagère is an elegant tea salon tucked inside the historic Passage Pommeraye. It’s a refined stop for an afternoon break, offering beautifully crafted pastries, cakes, chocolates, and jams. You can enjoy your treats on the spot or take them to go, and the selection of teas is a lovely complement to any pastry.
Where to get tea or coffee: Le Nid
Photo: Flickr/ Xiaozhuli
Le Nid, or “The Nest,” sits on the 32nd floor of Tour Bretagne and offers panoramic 360-degree views of Nantes. Designed by Nantes-born graphic artist Jean Jullien, this quirky spot opened in 2012 as part of the Voyage à Nantes cultural initiative. It’s ideal for coffee, an afternoon snack, evening drinks, and often hosts free concerts and events.
A fun restaurant for dinner with friends: Papy Mougeot
Papy Mougeot, located on Île Feydeau, is a lively bistro with eclectic music and an amusing, retro décor that mixes seventies charm with a cozy, workshop-like atmosphere. The menu focuses on generous, traditional dishes made from fresh ingredients, and the warm, convivial service makes it a great spot for a relaxed dinner with friends.
Where to go for an intimate dinner with a date: Pickles
Pickles is a charming, recently discovered restaurant just off one of Nantes’ main streets. It serves creative, market-driven cuisine that highlights local ingredients with subtle nods to Asian, Italian, and North African flavors. The menu offers excellent value, and their beer-pairing options are particularly recommended.
Wild Card Spot! Suppli Factory
Suppli Factory brings healthy Italian fast food to Nantes, specializing in suppli (also known as arancini) — crunchy breadcrumbed rice balls filled with creative combinations chosen by the chef. It’s a delightful and affordable option for a quick, flavorful meal, served with friendly, attentive service.
Thanks so much for sharing, Stef and Cha!
All of these addresses are mapped out below:
Do you have your own favorite spots in Nantes? Share them in the comments below, and tell us which city you’d like to see featured next in this series.