The Top 10 Drinking Spots In Nantes France

Nantes, France, is a cosmopolitan hub bursting with history, culture and color. Among the innovative street art and majestic architecture visitors can find a wealth of drinking spots. Here’s our guide to the top 10.

1. Dînette

Cafe, Tea Room, Tea , French

Open from 12pm to 7pm, Dînette is an inviting French-style cafe located in the city center of Nantes. It specializes in delicious tea and cakes and is the perfect place to enjoy a hot drink. Several kinds of fruit tarts and iced biscuits are on offer as well as a very tasty moelleux au chocolat,all made in-house. Dînette’s outdoor tables allow guests to leisurely sip drinks in the city’s sunshine. Meanwhile the indoor seating area provides a perfect spot on a rainy day. Don’t miss the heavenly apple and rhubarb crumble.

2. Cafe sur Cour

Bar, Cafe, Restaurant, Coffee Shop, Tea , French, Healthy

Cafe sur Cour is a triumph of elegance and cleanliness, a chicly styled spot offering a range of hot and cold drinks as well as healthy breakfasts and light lunches. The restaurant is comprised of a large terrace, a bar and a dining area. Here, various concerts, art expositions, dance shows and talks with local artists are regularly held. Cafe sur Cour generates a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere in which to enjoy a small selection of expertly selected wines hand-picked by the owner. Accompany your beverage with one of the cheeses on offer and you won’t be disappointed.

3. Xibalba

Bar, Restaurant, French

Xibalba is a tea house rather than a bar, however it is still a great place to relax and enjoy a drink in Nantes. The teas here are sourced from all over the world and served according to the traditional techniques of the restaurant. This results in a tea-tasting experience only available here. A minimalist style is achieved in the dining room through a combination of wooden and stone furniture. Public events are often held here to engage customers in the art of brewing and creating tea. Among the white teas available, the Litchi-Pêche variety is highly recommended due to its aromatic flavor.

4. French Coffee Shop

Cafe, Tea , French

French Coffee Shop is a bustling coffee house offering a diverse variety of hot and cold coffee drinks, hot chocolates, teas, smoothies and milkshakes. It’s modeled in a kitsch American style. Fabulously friendly owners Fabienne and Dany were inspired to open the cafe after spending a period traveling in the USA. The place generates a warm ambience and uses daring recipes to create some of the most flavorsome and innovative drinks in Nantes. Top picks include the salted butter caramel latte, the pear smoothie and the choco honey drink. If feeling peckish don’t miss their signature pop dots, which are home-made and are incredible moreish puffs of tasty pastry.

5. NMC Café

Cafe, Restaurant, French

The minimalist red and black design at NMC Café is sleek and fashionable, and the extensive list of cocktails and wines on offer is unbeatable in the city. Coffee lovers are well provided for here with a choice of espressos, cappucinos and lattes littering the menu, and there is a particularly tasty nutellino drink, made from coffee, milk foam and nutella. A wide selection of burgers can be enjoyed here too, a popular choice being the Curé Nantais burger made from two large beef patties, bacon and cheese.

6. Mary's Tea Room

Restaurant, Tea Room, Tea , British

Despite being located in the heart of a French city, Mary’s Tea Room is a celebration of British tradition and tea culture. A cozy setting is created here with comfortable cushioned seating and homely decor. The selection of teas on offer include both classic and creative blends, supplied by a company based in Rennes. The white tea and fruit option here is delicious. British scones are available with sweet homemade cream and jam, and several classic English books are charmingly placed around the restaurant for browsing.

7. Au Chat Noir

Bar, Pub Grub, French

Au Chat Noir is both a bar and a club, and is an innovative cultural center in Nantes dedicated to promoting art in all forms. This is a top choice for visitors looking for a lively and sociable atmosphere laced with music and energy. Open every day from 5pm until 2am, the venue hosts extremely popular concerts, theatre performances and poetry readings. The interior is designed with a warm color scheme, and the walls are adorned with quirky posters promoting freedom and independence. There is a wide variety of good beer available here, a top pick being the locally brewed French varieties on offer.

8. Les Docks

Bistro, Restaurant, French, Seafood

Les Docks is a tempting top-quality bistro offering tasty dishes and drinks at reasonable prices. Choose from a range of cold and hot beverages including cloudy lemonade, iced tea and various sumptuous juice options. The dining room is spacious and airy, and all the products used are fresh and organic. This ensures diners get the very best quality of meal here. The beef tartare with mango, ginger and coriander is a popular choice among both locals and tourists. There is a helpful children’s menu offering smaller plates and lighter bites for kids.

9. La Maison Café

Bar, Cafe, Pub Grub, French

La Maison Café is a trendy and fun drinking option in Nantes, designed in the shape of a house. It also has abstract wall patterns, modern sofa designs and distinct table furniture. A closed terrace and vibrant color scheme make it a top spot to relax with a cocktail. Try the refreshing vodka martini, or the tequila sunrise with a twist. Each room of the house offers diners a different drinking experience. Watch out for the game of checkers in the bathtub, played with a copious amount of shots and shooters.

10. Café Charbon Le Guingois

Café Charbon Le Guingois

Open from Monday to Saturday, Café Charbon Le Guingois is a modern and colorful venue offering a wide variety of light dishes, desserts, cocktails and vintage wines. The waiters and waitresses here are extremely welcoming and friendly, adding to the overall cheerful atmosphere of the place. This is a great spot to enjoy a glass of wine, with an outdoor terrace offering diners the chance to people watch while relaxing. Highly recommended is the carpacio and baked camembert.

3 Bis Rue Santeuil, Nantes, France, +33 240733649

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