Eating Out On a Budget in Brittany

I expect all the ex-pats in Brittany are having to tighten their belts due to the falling value of the Pound, but do not despair; you can still enjoy one of the greatest pleasures of living in France, eating out. Okay you may not be able to enjoy the luxury of haute cuisine or the delights of a ‘fruits de mer’, but it is still possible to have a three course meal and a glass of wine for between 8 to 10 euros if you know where to go.

 

The first venues I would recommend is best described as the ‘the white van restaurants’, every small hamlet and village has a restaurant that provides midday meals targeted towards the mobile artisan. There are however no restrictions on who is served and they are happy to receive tourists, locals and the odd ex-pat that happens to be passing. The menu is fairly restrictive, referred to usually as ‘la formule’ i.e. a choice of two to three main meals at the set price. A typical meal would consist of small buffet starter, usually salad, followed by Steak and frites or fish with vegetables, followed by a choice of dessert or cheese and fresh bread. Bottles of the house red and white are placed on the table to be shared amongst the diners.

 

Having tried a few I can honestly say they are excellent value for money and you are made very welcome. Obviously the steak is not the best cut and occasionally the vegetables are overcooked but generally the meal is good and the environment pleasant. Many of the artisans return to the same restaurant every day so the proprietors have to maintain a good reputation to retain the business. As a rule of thumb, the more vans outside, the better the meal provided! In case you still have reservations let me make it clear this is not the ‘A1 café’ environment, the same restaurants cater for regular customers in the evenings and weekends.

 

The next venue for dining out on a budget has to be the large supermarket restaurants of which there are many. These restaurants are very popular with local office and shop workers who can utilise their lunch tokens provide as part of their employment package. Once again a three course meal can be obtained for around 10 euros.

 

The menu is usually quite extensive and would include a buffet salad bar, a choice of 6–8 main meals and range of desserts. An average house wine is available by the bottle or glass. The best part about these restaurants is the ability to cater for individual desires i.e. you could have a main salad or even a vegetarian alternative to the main meal. Once again I have to warn you that the vegetables will be overcooked and often originate from a tin, but you can avoid them and have alternatives.

 

I can recommend the artisanal sausage or the baked trout which is often on the menu. At the weekend these restaurants are often well attended by the Breton families seeking an economic meal without the preparation or washing up.

 

Last but not least is the Tabac, a venue I would never have recommended a few years ago, but now they are smoke free zones and can be a pleasant place to have a meal. Unfortunately not all tabacs are open for meals all year, often being dependant on seasonal trade to make cooking viable. They also provide reasonably priced meals aimed at the passer by and tourist.

 

The menu can vary dependant on the popularity of the tabac with those nearer the coast usually offering the more extensive choice. The best tabacs are those which provide a separate eating area away from the bar area which is usually full of the locals seeking a liquid lunch. Of course in the summer months what can be better than enjoying a good value meal in the open air garden or patio of a tabac; the downside is that is where all the smokers gather!

 

So there you have it, loads of places to eat out on a budget and improve your French at the same time, bon appetite!