OUR FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS
St. Martin
Le Serghi
15 Quai Clémenceau
Tel. 05 46 09 03 92
Serves tasty, well presented, reasonably priced food in an cosy, informal atmosphere. On the
port, two doors further down from „Barbotine‟, where you will find lots of lovely things to
decorate your home.
Price range: moderate
La Baleine Bleue
On the „island‟, to the left of the Tourist Office, on the corner
Tel. 05 46 09 03 30
Serves good food and has a reputation as the trendy restaurant of St. Martin. It is expensive
in the evening, but good value at lunchtime (2 courses around €25 / € 28 per person). White
tablecloths etc. You may not feel relaxed with very small children.
Price range: expensive
Le Bistrot du Marin
On the „island‟, to the left of the Tourist Office
Tel. 05 46 68 74 66
Cosy bistro-pub ambiance. Reservations not accepted so get there early.
Highly recommended: Côte de beauf, for two. Beyond wonderful! Served with chips and two
homemade sauces.
Price range: moderate
Un Air de Famille
On the “Place de la République”: at the top end of the town, past the church, near the Post
Office. Tel. 05 46 01 65 36
This charming café-restaurant is just the ticket for a light lunch or supper, and is a great if
you have children. All the food (quiches, salads, dish-of-the-day, yummy desserts) is lovingly
homemade by the owner, Corinne (who works very hard!). The photos on the walls show
several generations of Corinne‟s own family. That way, she says, they‟re with her all the
time.... Highly recommended.
Price range: inexpensive, excellent value
Avant Port
8 Quai Daniel Rivaille
Tel. 05 46 68 06 68
Walk over to the Tourist Office, turn right, follow the road round and cross over to the other
side of the water on the pedestrian bridge (if you can). If you can‟t use the bridge (at high
tide), you‟ll have to go the long way – and walk all the way round the outside of the quay.
This is a fairly chic restaurant serving fine food. Good lunch dishes.
Price range: expensive
Côté Jardin
14, rue Emile Atgier
Tel. 05 46 68 16 75
I haven't had the pleasure of testing this restaurant myself, but guests have mentioned it on
several occasions. The most recent comment: “….we thought the food and service was
outstanding”. Why not try it and let me know?
You‟ll find Côté Jardin fairly near the bus stop in St. Martin (think Hotel La Jetée), the rue
Emile Atgier is opposite the green area with the minigolf, small funfair and donkeys.
Price range: moderate
La Flotte
La Fiancée du Pirate
On the port
Tel. 05 46 09 52 46
Informal family restaurant serving crêpes, burgers, mussels and chips etc. Friendly welcome
and nice views of the port. Good for a lunchtime snack with the children. Remember to
reserve in the busy summer months.
Price range: inexpensive
L’Ecailler
3 Quai de Sénac (on the port)
Tel. 05 46 09 56 40
Romantic dinner for two? Attentive service, fabulous food? This is the place to go. Round off
your holiday with lunch or dinner at L‟Ecailler. At the upper end of the price scale, but
definitely worth it (we think!). You must reserve.
Price range: expensive
Loix
La Route du Sel
Place de l'Eglise
Tel. 05 46 29 06 83
Highly recommended! Occupies a very sunny spot in the square by the church.
Specialises in savoury crêpes, but also offers a wide choice of meats, salads and seafood.
The cooking is of a good standard and the service extremely cheerful and friendly.
Price range: moderate
Le Bois-Plage en Ré
Hôtel-Restaurant L’Océan
172 Rue Saint-Martin
Tel. 05 46 09 23 07
Good food in pleasant surroundings.
Price range: moderate-expensive
Rivedoux
Le "M"
Hôtel La Marée
321 Ave Albert Sarrault
Part of the La Maree hotel, the restaurant has a pleasant and modern seating area across
the road from the hotel right on the sea. Good value for the very high standard of food and
service. The only negative is that the restaurant is right on the roadside and, although
covered and sheltered, on a busy day the traffic might be off putting. On the positive side,
when the tide is lapping at the restaurant's edge the setting is very attractive. We like it!
http://www.le-m.com/restaurant-ile-de-re/?accueil
Price range: moderate-expensive.
La Noue
Les Tilleuls
On the square
Tel. 05 46 30 02 76
A lovely, inexpensive café-restaurant, beautifully decorated. Serves pizzas, salads, mussels
& chips etc. While you‟re there, take a peek at the home decor boutique next door.
Price range: inexpensive. Very good value.
Ars en Ré
La Cabane du Fier
Le Martray
Tel. 05 46 29 64 84
Not actually in the village of Ars, but on the main road at Le Martray (the narrowest point on
the island) on the bike route to Ars. Not much to look at from the outside, but the food is
good, and there are lovely views over the salt marshes. Cosy, informal.
Price range: moderate-expensive
Le Grenier à Sel
20 Rue de la Baie
Tel. 05 46 29 08 62
You'll find this restaurant down a lane on your left (signposted) as you cycle into the port at
Ars on Ré from the south (La Couarde). We haven't eaten there ourselves, but we have
heard good things…let us know what you think, please?!
http://www.grenierasel.fr
La Couarde
La Cabine de Bain
33, Grande Rue
Tel. 05 46 29 84 26
Town centre (down from Cycland and the corner bread shop). This is a favourite with our
guests. It will take you about 15 minutes to walk to this informal restaurant from Maison de
Charme.
Price range: moderate
Le Taxi Brousse
20, Rue des Anneries
Tel. 05 46 29 90 33
Hidden away behind the beach at La Couarde at the end of an unmade road, Le Taxi
Brousse - the Jungle Taxi - is open from midday through till the early hours. Not only is there
a private pool, open-air restaurant (dine with your feet in the sand!) and afternoon petanque,
but the place turns into an impromptu dance club after dinner.
Price range: moderate-expensive
St-Clement-des-Baleines
Les Baleineaux
Le Phare des Baleines
Tel. 05 46 29 09 57
We have always enjoyed a very warm, friendly welcome at this excellent family restaurant.
Why not stop for lunch on one of your bike tours in the north of the island? Large choice of
tasty, reasonably priced dishes.
Price range: inexpensive
For more tips, we also recommend you read the following blog posts by John Brassey:
A Fond Farewell to the Ile de Ré: http://is.gd/cb8nCx
In Raptures on the Ile de Ré: http://is.gd/43FijY
Hollyoaks sur Mer: http://is.gd/XU1RyK
Nous mangeons très bien: http://is.gd/6Oq0Fg
No Longer the Isle de Rain: http://is.gd/ykNaHs
Please do let me know if you find any gems, we'll include them on this list. Likewise, please
point out any disappointments that should best be avoided. Thanks, we're very grateful for
your contributions! Bon appétit!