With a history dating back 2,000 years to the Roman era, Rennes is full of cultural and historical depth. It also boasts a variety of excellent restaurants for any time of day, including a recent trend for brunch. Beginning in Paris, this trend is now sweeping across France, and Rennes too now offers a wide range of late breakfast options. We take a look at some of the best.
Situated inside the fascinating contemporary art museum of Frac Bretagne (well worth a visit in itself), Art n’ Cook suits its setting well with its artistically presented, elegant dishes. The Sunday brunch menus are especially generous and include inventive egg dishes along with all-you-can-eat bread and all-you-can-drink juice.
A perfect place for a gourmet Saturday brunch, Le Chemin de Table has a number of regularly changing set menus. Putting a twist on traditional French dishes, this chic and stylish restaurant is always offering creative and original recipes, such as its unusual combination of onion chutney and foie gras, or the inventive lychee and kiwi pavlova, all immaculately and artistically presented.
For a pocket of authentic Irishness in the heart of Rennes, look no further than the Frogs and Friends pub, a warm and friendly pub that has a range of delicious Saturday breakfast menus, including a vegetarian option. In typical Irish style, the food is served in generous portions.
Well situated in the heart of Rennes, Cafe Albertine is a brilliant, organic tea room, originally decorated and full of a convivial, friendly atmosphere. It proposes a lovely, affordable Saturday brunch menu, with a very large selection of hot drinks and organic fruit juices to accompany generous salads and authentic French crêpes, followed by an extensive range of desserts, including a fresh fruit salad, home-made cake, tasty cookies and delicious muffins.
Ideally located just a few meters from the train station, Grüne & Co offers a warm and welcoming environment in which to have a delicious and filling brunch. Enjoy a traditional French meal with perfectly cooked, classic dishes from across the country, including boeuf bourgignon, Normandy chicken and basquaise chicken, as well as sumptuous desserts. True to its name (Grüne is German for “green”), there is also an exciting salad bar.
With a creative and ever-changing menu of organic food, Apple Pie is a lovely restaurant in which to enjoy a filling brunch. Its desserts in particular are delectable, including a fantastic strawberry cheesecake and original apple pie, which is made with apples from the owner’s own garden. For the non-meat eaters out there, Apple Pie also offers a good variety of vegetarian dishes, including a wonderful vegan burger.
With a large range of teas and ice teas as well as scrumptious home-made cakes, the Thé au Fourneau is a cozy little tea room that is a wonderful place to spend a morning. As well as the sweets, including an exceptional carrot cake and a chocolate fondant, there is also a good variety of savory options, including inventive tarts and salads.
Whether you’re looking for quick pastry breakfast or a long, luxurious brunch, O’ Thé Gourmand caters to all visitors’ morning preferences. With a large selection of tea and home-made dishes, this lovely tearoom provides a delicious brunch menu in a warm and intimate setting. During the summer, it also has outdoor seating and its own ice tea, making it a great place to visit all year around.
Miss Dom warmly welcomes its patrons and boasts a sumptuous brunch menu. Playing on the concept of the full English breakfast, this lovely establishment serves its generous fare with French finesse and includes home-made burgers as well as bacon and eggs. For a very reasonable price, enjoy this French-style English breakfast, accompanied by as much orange juice as you desire.
Situated in the heart of Rennes, Les Bulles au Plafond is an excellent little tea room that is always animated, boasting a range of teas and pastries that are a perfect way to start your morning. Open until midnight every day, visitors may be so enamored with this cutely decorated establishment after a very pleasant breakfast that they are inclined to return later for a refreshing alcoholic drink too.
