The best bars and cafés Le Mans

The quality of a bar is measured not only by its regular offerings, but also by its ability to reinvent itself. This is exactly the case at L'Éperon! Sundy, the venue's mixologist, creates a new cocktail every week, offering 52 reasons to visit over the course of the year. Located on the Place de l'Éperon, as its name suggests, the bar boasts a large terrace for sunny days, and a welcoming upstairs for cosy moments. You can even privatize this floor free of charge. Ideal for afterworks, meetings or conferences, you can enjoy a charcuterie board accompanied by hot or cold drinks.

There are day bars and night bars, and this one is a day bar, which doesn't mean it's boring or lacks atmosphere! It's only when you're sitting on the terrace, under the blinds, that you realize just how sheltered this café is from the noise of the cars. Set back from the road and lined with old trees, it's a pleasant place to be. Inside, a beautiful vaulted room reminds us that this place was once used as a stable. The welcome is warm and efficient. Enjoy a relaxing stopover at Café du Square, next to the cathedral and a 2-minute walk from downtown stores and restaurants. Small restaurant.

Design and contemporary decor, without compromising on the fundamentals of a neighborhood bistro. Le Comptoir de la Sirène, against the Jacobins shopping center, retains its pleasant service and affordable prices. Here you can take a comforting break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Enjoy a cup of coffee with a pastry bought just opposite, or a newspaper sold in the press section of the establishment. As you'll have gathered, conviviality is what counts here. Just a stone's throw from the shops or the lively Place des Jacobins, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the large terrace on a fine summer's day. Good ice cream.

Sophie, or Soso to her regulars, has only one wish after work: that you take a trip to the Zoo to relax and think about something else, and it's a success. The decor is very attractive. You can choose between three adjoining areas, all in warm colors, with animals watching you enjoy your favorite drink. You'll feel like you're in Australia and a little in Africa. Stuffed animals and figurines are everywhere. They'll bring you a glass of sweets to nibble on (jelly beans, licorice, marshmallows). Nice, isn't it? There are beers, shooters, glasses of wine, planteur and ti-punch... different cocktails. A great place, open every night!

A must-see in the city center, in beautiful old buildings divided into several areas, which change atmosphere throughout the day and especially in the evening. The later it gets, the busier it gets. Orders flow in at the bar at a frenetic pace, people talk loudly, smoke outside with a drink in hand, and pranksters sometimes throw washing powder into the fountain opposite the bar. Café Crème even hosts a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights! Atmosphere guaranteed. It's a popular place to meet up and enjoy an evening with friends. What's more, sausages are served at all hours! A place to visit, especially if you're drawn to the short counter stories. And the coffee is good!

Despite the renovation work carried out in 2013, this bistro, which is well known to all Manceaux locals, doesn't seem to have suffered too much from the noise of the Place des Jacobins. It has to be said that this bar is attractive, if only for its strategic location on the steps of the cathedral, but also for its interior, whose walls are completely covered with old photos of the 24 Heures (two from the 1960s!), clichés of mythical stars, reproductions of postcards, humorous posters that can keep customers busy for a long time... In short, a charming place right in the center of town, with a large terrace, where you can really enjoy a quiet, relaxing moment. You can enjoy oysters, cold meats, omelettes...

For 8 years he ran a Japanese restaurant in Le Havre before moving on to Le Mans. Xi Hong Kiang first bought the legendary Moderne Café, then, in 2022, he acquired his neighbor's Bohême and transformed it into a pub. A radical change of atmosphere! The O'Corner boasts a neat, cosy decor, with quiet spaces. A friendly pub to enjoy a beer, a whisky or a non-alcoholic cocktail, in a good musical atmosphere. It's a great way to liven up the Place de la République. And when the Moderne Café closes, the O'Connor stays open! Theme evenings. Certain areas can be reserved for private use.

Why choose Reynette? Because it's Reynaud's bar, of course! This place perfectly reflects his personality: dynamic, welcoming and creative. You'll find cocktails as delicious as they are visually appealing, often enhanced by a distinctive floral touch. To accompany your drink, aperitif boards or extra-cheese croque-monsieur are available. The weekly program is always packed: one-man shows, concerts, DJ sets, all in an electrifying atmosphere lasting until 2 a.m., ideal for an evening out with friends. And the little surprise of the house? There's an alternative to the stairs... but be quiet, it's a surprise!

The delicate decorations in the window are a real eye-catcher. This refined patisserie-tea room, with its pure Japanese style, is run by the excellent Masatoshi Takayanagi. For a moment of rejuvenation and peace. A lunchtime menu with miso soup and delicate dishes is also available. But the stars of the show are the cakes, small or as entremets. Our favorites are the Yuki, with its Joconde cookie, yuzu marmalade, yuzu mousse, honey cream and yuzu icing, and the Sésame, with its success cookie, black sesame mousseline and black icing. There's also a small delicatessen section with Japanese green tea, genmaicha and matcha. A warm welcome awaits you.