Gourmet products local specialties and wines Rennes

Chocolate lovers, this boutique ideally placed at the top of the town hall should please you. Boutique Boutique, it offers traditional ballotins but also quantity of confectionery. The gourmands can only choose. For caramels, ganaches, almond pastes, liqueurs… For the holidays or for a present that will necessarily delight you have this convenient address.

The chic façade, terrazzo floors, terracotta walls and antique furniture are the perfect setting for a concentrate of the DNA of Les Bricoles, this festive bistro located on Quai de la Prévalaye. You can enjoy tasty sandwiches made from home-made products - such as Breton ham or terrines -, bread created to order by Thierry Bouvier and high-quality ingredients carefully selected and to be found on the shelves: 100% French gherkins from the Maison Marc, Kalios olive oil... On the sweet side, we love the delicious Breizh Konfitur cooked in a cauldron. All the products of the grocery store have in common traditional know-how and respect for short circuits, and you will find everything you need for an aperitif or an impromptu dinner with friends, even cocktails ready to drink to make like the Bricoles! Not to be missed: the famous "Chien chaud" on Saturdays and its homemade sausage whose recipe changes every week!

Come and meet the very first "pâtothèque" in Rennes, run by Italy-lover Céline! The high shelves are a floor-to-ceiling showcase for artisanal dry pasta. You'll be surprised by the shapes and varieties that are sometimes little-known (fettuccine, calamatara, rotelle...)! Fine olive oil, capers from the island of Pantelleria, fragrant risottos, well-chosen wines and characterful sauces offer something for every palate in the region. Céline also offers recipe books, utensils, flours and wheat semolinas for those who'd like to don their apron. And those in a hurry can enjoy a caffè Borbone from Naples to go!

What if we could consume better tomorrow? That's the challenge facing this network of stores made in Breizh. Bérangère De Clerck, former manager of Mamie Mesure, has set up shop on rue d'Antrain. Same concept: a zero-waste lifestyle for a more virtuous future. Grab your jars and stock up on spices, pasta, cereals, coffee, cookies, flour... All made to measure and mostly local! The grocery store also offers organic fruit and vegetables, fresh produce and a fine selection of hygiene and cleaning products. The place is warm and bubbly, just like Bérangère, Claire and Camille. A smart initiative: anti-gaspi baskets are available every day at low prices!

If Coin Mousse is a beer bar, it's also a beer cellar. Some 120 French craft beers are on offer. After visiting some sixty brewers in France, Nicolas and Anne-So brought back their hand-picked selection. Among the Breton breweries are Tri Martolod, Touken, Menez ar Breizh and Skumenn. We'll tell you which ones we prefer, but the best thing to do is go and taste them, and make your own selection for your next aperitif. Gourmets can share a board, or stop off on the way back from the Lices or Mail markets to pick up a beverage to accompany their find.

When two beer-loving friends decided to make a living from their passion, the result was Dourennan: a craft beer cellar on Rue Victor Hugo. More than 150 references are on offer, from local and regional breweries as well as from Belgium and elsewhere. Dourennan means "to hydrate, to salivate" in Breton. The establishment lives up to its name, with the two partners enthusiastically passing on their taste for hops. And because there's no substitute for tasting, a dedicated space is available for afterworks and workshops. We enjoy our beers, accompanied by charcuterie and vegetarian spreads. Not forgetting, of course, a selection to take away with you!

Jars bursting with Turkish delight and olives, large moussaka dishes, a pot in which stuffed peppers are simmering... here we are under the olive trees! Agob, who has been present at Les Halles for seven years, welcomes us generously and introduces us to his cuisine with Greek and Mediterranean influences (he is of Armenian origin). We let ourselves be tempted by the gratin of his invention, Agob's gratin, as he calls it with a smile. His stand is his kitchen, and his stalls are filled with popular dishes and other less known recipes. We stock up on honey, hummus, olive oil, beer and wine, and leave having learned the specificity of Greek-style loukoums.

Stéphane Foucher, sommelier, has, in addition to his address in Les Lices, a second cellar in rue de Nemours. We come here for Stéphane or Mathieu's sharp advice but also to discover a selection of 900 to 1,200 references of organic, biodynamic and natural wines! There is something for every budget, with a very promising entry-level price that is accessible to small budgets. In this cellar, small producers are in the spotlight and you will taste with delight the work on the grape varieties. The winery knows how to look for and find the right bottle at the different exhibitions but also directly by going to the winegrowers (45,000 km per year travelled to meet them). You will find a good selection of small Languedoc wines, which are well worth some Bordeaux in value for money. There are also some surprising vintages and creative "coups de coeur" that the cellar master speaks of with passion. You can also take your taste buds on a trip with foreign wines from Italy, Spain, Greece, Georgia, Austria but also wines from the New World (including Chile and Argentina). For those who would like to perfect their oenological knowledge, things become more serious during the tastings hosted by the cellar master, twice a month. Also to be discovered are 200 references of whiskys, rums and brandies, a selection of 60 beers and a few ciders from Brittany and Normandy. A cellar that assures you the advice of a professional with a warm welcome so as not to make any false notes and to offer you good tasting moments.

Before the corner "Salmon Break" at central stops, Saules is a family business located in Chanteloup, which has been practicing its know-how for over 30 years. A sea side and a land side, because they transform salmon but also duck. A beautiful alloy for all gourmets! At the halles, you can find articles from this transgenerational expertise, responding to a very strict specification, and come from a hand crafted transformation made by hand for optimum quality! The organic salmon imported from Ireland and the French duck will delight you during your dinners or holidays. Only the best is proposed: salmon paved, smoked salmon in front of your eyes, and the only organic sushi in the city! It also has fish rillings with truffle or caviar, and duck, meat, rillet and fatty liver to damp! This small business is held by passionate people who greet fine mouths with connivance, and a multitude of wise tips to prepare the best dishes!

Around 1900, every Wednesday morning, local farmers would come and sell their victuals on Place Saint-Germain. The tradition lives on. Today, this food market on a human scale brings together around ten traders. Visitors come to stock up on fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, seafood, cheeses, meats and charcuterie... and, of course, the inevitable crêpes, galettes and local delicacies. After eight years on the other side of the footbridge, Place Toussaint, this market has returned to its home port, the beautifully renovated Place Saint-Germain. Free of its palisades and now pedestrianized, it brings a breath of fresh air to the area around the church.

Since 2007, Les amis de la ferme has been a farm market that literally simplifies your life, since everything happens online. Organic and local produce come from farms around Rennes. Some sixty producers are grouped together on the site, selling fruit and vegetables of course, but also groceries, bakery products, meats and fish. In short, you'll find everything you need to do your shopping and have it delivered to your home on an electric scooter (thanks for the planet). You can also pick up your basket from the twenty or so partner boutiques in and around Rennes. And best of all, the products are of excellent quality! Tested and approved.

A paradise for Breton beer lovers! Among the many references, we stop at the Grodziskie, a smoked white beer that is a nod to the Polish origins of Tony, the boss. In addition to the hopped beverage, there is local cider as well as some nuggets such as Ar Menez Are, an organic lemonade with Mont d'Arrée spring water, Beuk Cola ("Beuk" means "burp" in Breton, if you want to know everything!), an organic fair trade cola, Roc'Elf Breton whisky from the Sainte-Colombe brewery or red absinthe from the Awen Nature distillery.

Here's a real favorite discovered this year. Célia, an in-home chef and caterer, has launched an ethical cuisine concept that highlights the very best products. Here, we opt for buffets bursting with vitality and freshness, free of chemical inputs and rich in health! Everything is prepared with precision and refinement. The fruit and vegetables come from local farms just outside Rennes that respect the life of the soil, the spices from La Cale aux épices... A great deal of creativity that never ceases to reinvent itself. A pretty name that, in less than a year, has seduced many Breton companies. Our favorite: the citrus, pistachio and pomegranate cheesebomb... A marvel!

At 4.30pm, in the Hôtel Dieu district, it's no longer just snack time! The pastry and Viennese pastry shop on rue Hoche now has its twin just a few blocks away. Here, you can enjoy a range of sourdough breads made by baker François Bonno: Kurukasha with buckwheat, Roule Marcel with seeds, Brasseur rich in fiber and seeds, Ty fauve with small spelt... The team also works with sourdough from the Origines microbrewery just around the corner. All breads are sold unwrapped. Of course, it's always possible to sample the sweet treats that have made them such a success, available in both boutiques.

Bright with its large bay windows overlooking the Mall, mineral with its counter made of black Huelgoat rock and its engraved monolith, Fabien and Alex's wine cellar exudes naturalness and authenticity. It's not for nothing that 85% of the wines here are biodynamic and sourced directly from independent winemakers. The two friends have made four trips around France to select more than 250 wine references, and they'll be going back again! A little literary wink: a bookseller's ladder gives access to the highest bottles, because there are literally bottles from floor to ceiling! In addition to the wines, there is a nice selection of beers from here and elsewhere, including more confidential breweries that Alex discovered during his years in London and New Zealand. Gins, whiskies, vodkas, rums and ports are also on offer. To accompany these beverages, you can choose from cheeses matured in Brittany (Ma Belle Fromagerie in Étrelles), fish rillettes from Finistère or organic sausages and pâtés. A good idea: tasting evenings to exercise your palate in a friendly atmosphere.

New to this neighborhood, which already boasts a number of food shops, the Gilbert dairy completes the range of products on offer for a well-stocked basket. Manager Ronan selects around a hundred varieties of cheese from all over France, mainly PDO cheeses such as Comté from Marcel Petite or Brie de Meaux from Dongé. A few local references are also available, including fresh goats' cheeses from the Amenlis goat dairy. Tip: try the artisanal Roquefort vieux berger, one of the last to benefit from the Roquefort appellation. Delicious! A range of charcuterie and delicatessen products are also available.

A roaster for over 20 years, Cafés Félix is one of Rennes' finest coffees. You'll find them in some of Rennes' finest restaurants, including Oh my Biche, Cope, Angello, IMA, Symbiozh, Origines and Chez P'tit Louis. On Wednesdays, you can also drop by the Marché Sainte-Thérèse for an early-morning espresso and share a slice of life. Félix carefully selects ethical and sustainable coffees. His main concern is taste, of course, but above all respect for man and his environment in the producer country (he visits the plantations whenever he can). Then he blends and roasts to reveal smooth, gourmet aromas.

Dedicated to this jewel of French patisserie, the Ty Chou boutique is a choux bar offering a dozen creations, each more appetizing than the last. Flavors such as passion fruit, raspberry, praline, lemon, vanilla and chocolate rub shoulders with more original recipes such as Chantilly Mascarpone, Corsican clementine, pineapple-coconut or the Saint-Honoré choux with its crunchy caramel dome. The choux, made with Breton wheat flour, evolve with the seasons. They can also be personalized: a great idea for your events. They're tasty, they don't stick to your fingers, and they're a snap to eat! Just a stone's throw from Place Saint-Germain.

La Cale aux épices is making a much-appreciated entry into the heart of Rennes. After creating the Comptoir aux épices in Paimpol in 2014 and the Vannes shop in 2018, it is with the same passion that Christophe Lemaire, a backpacker at heart and a fine connoisseur of spices, has joined the Breton capital. The shop, which is run daily by Marven, a native of Sri Lanka, has no less than 85 peppers and berries, flavoured curries as well as various blends that are ground, roasted and assembled with care in the Paimpol lab. The shop is a true ode to a journey of the senses, but above all it shows a desire to share and to provide quality at low prices.

After the Thabor, it is in the lively rue Saint-Hélier that we find Les Italiens du Coin. Nicola Casulli, in charge of the two shops, has at heart to offer the best of Italy, and particularly of its region of origin: Puglia, nicknamed the heel of the boot. And it's a success! It's hard to resist the fresh homemade pasta - gnocchi, ravioli, tagliatelle... -It's hard to resist the fresh homemade pasta - gnocchi, ravioli, tagliatelle, etc. - the smoky scarmoza or the melting gorgonzola, as well as the cold cuts, including the unavoidable speck and prosciutto di Parma. Generosity is also present in the tasty dishes cooked on the spot: aubergine gratin, lasagne parmigiana and risottos. At lunchtime, the regulars, already satisfied by the very good value for money, meet there to take their lunch. For us, it was a puccia pugliese, a typical Apulian sandwich with raw ham, mozzarella and candied tomatoes, accompanied by a slice of homemade ricotta and lemon cheesecake. Fancy an impromptu aperitivo? Take your pick from the colourful antipasti, sun-drenched wines and crunchy biscuits. It's sure to be a no-fail affair!

During the week or at weekends, come and fill up on fish and seafood for your meals with family and friends at Les Halles de la Criée. And when you taste the fish, shellfish or delicatessen dishes from Maison Troadec, you'll never be disappointed. Here, the finest quality fish is selected at the auctions in the ports of Lorient and Les Sables-d'Olonne: exclusively wild shrimp, Scottish salmon, coastal fish... The fishmonger's makes a point of using responsible channels and works directly with fishermen. The seafood platters are unanimously acclaimed, and the bistr'eau des Halles allows you to enjoy your meal on the spot. An excellent address!

Shopping "day by day" for fair consumption. A pioneer in the zero-waste lifestyle, this anti-waste grocery store, run by Coralie, offers you everyday products on demand, without packaging. It's up to you to bring your own jars, bottles or storage boxes! This allows you to buy products according to your needs. 800 product references, including 98% French production and 15% organic. 60% of products come from small producers who practice sustainable agriculture. You'll also find gluten-free and non-food products (hygiene, drugstore, maintenance, etc.). So you can do your bit for the environment!

With its flashy green storefront, it's hard to miss this new cheese shop in the Mabilais district. Behind the counter, Céline and Benoît greet us with a smile. Céline, a former court clerk, and Benoît, a former engineer, met while training to become cheese makers. Céline joined the adventure launched by Benoît, that of a neighborhood cheese shop offering good local products. Among the hundred or so products on offer are tommes from the ferme de la sablonnière, camemberts from Brittany, bries from the ferme des aulnays... All accompanied by grocery products, charcuterie and a creamery section. At lunchtime, seasonal sandwiches are also prepared.

Behind Kystin lies a passionate man, Sasha Crommar, who has one conviction: exceptional ciders and perries exist, you just have to put your heart into them. After working for some fifteen years as a cellar master, the man founded the Kystin house, first with a boutique in Vannes, then in Rennes. Here, we're treated to tastings of the company's creations, such as the surprisingly delicious PDO chestnut cider or the roasted buckwheat cider. The house also offers its ice cider, a sweet delight that works equally well as an aperitif or dessert. All original creations can be combined with a wide range of dishes. It's hard not to fall for them!

Freshly arrived in the Halles district, Grand-Père Jules, the new Coupel address, has found its place in this neighborhood of excellence. All the patisserie is now made on rue de Nemours. For the occasion, we went to rediscover the house's great classics - the Gentil coquelicot, the tarte Pacane and the Triskell. Behind the brand is a talented pastry chef, Estelle Mandard, who continues to train herself to combine sweetness and sugar reduction, and to find lactose- and gluten-free alternatives in some of her creations. You'll also find the sourdough breads created by Kevin Adkins and his team, including the famous Tourte aux Alouettes.

The boulevard de la Duchesse Anne has been adorned with a new address to delight local epicureans. Created by Éva Escolar and Ibrahim Ikhlef, Maison Madeleine is a local delicatessen offering top-of-the-range organic and vegan products in a stylish, art deco atmosphere. We're delighted to find a new work by Odorico on the floor. On the grocery side, a wide selection of products awaits you: spreads, spices, cookies, pasta, bulk legumes... and even non-alcoholic wine. There's also a tea room where you can enjoy seasonal dishes at lunchtime, and sweet treats from Sens patisserie, accompanied by a good cup of coffee from Castel's brûlerie. A truly charming address!

Antoine Picaud's wine cellar boasts more than 1,000 references: small, affordable wines from friends and exceptional bottles, with a vast range of magnums (most of them organic), local beers, spirits, notably with bottles produced in Brittany (gin is well represented...) and a grocery corner to liven up the aperitif. Visitors come especially for the expert advice of Antoine, an inveterate enthusiast. The tasting workshops allow you to explore a whole wine-growing valley over the course of an evening, drinking a wealth of highly interesting information, washed down with 5 or 6 different wines... and accompanied by charcuterie and cheese boards.

Welcome to l'épicerie de Châteaubriand, an ode to French gourmet products. A change of direction for the former manager of Maison de Joséphine, who swaps the cobblestones of Saint-Melaine for the Saint-Germain footbridge. Delphine welcomes us among her lovely finds (babas from Saint-Malo, mead from North Mead in Saint-Aubin d'Aubigné, cornichons from Maison Marc, charcuterie from Maison Brielle near Vitré...). Let your curiosity lead you to the back of the delightful red-brick patio dedicated to fresh produce.

We discovered this new Rennes brewery by chance during an evening at Hibou Grand Duc. Enthralled by the Hyperpop IPA (a short-lived beer) and the Vitrine lager, a delicate and refreshing beer, we then went to discover this new Rennes brewery, which opened last November. At the studio, you'll find the work of Rennes-based visual artist Tom Nelson, and above all, you'll be able to buy his craft beers direct, and why not a banana or a Smash t-shirt in the process. For those who prefer to sit on the terrace of a bar, head for La Piste, La Cavale, Le Saint-Germain, La Nouba and Le Hibou to feast in moderation.

Tea lovers, this is the address for you! Push open the door and you'll find yourself in a tiny boutique tucked away in the Rue des Carmes. Discreet and uncluttered, it's well worth the detour. Scott Laurence and his brother have taken up the challenge of opening a boutique that is accessible, ethical and 100% organic. Saveur O naturelle is an independent organic tea/tisane brand that respects working conditions and carefully selects products from the four corners of the globe. Buying a product allows you to support its Team Ethical label, which prohibits child labor. Here, we like to let ourselves be carried away by the good advice of passionate people and let ourselves be taken in by the story of these exotic plants.

Committed to responsible beekeeping, the Mary family creates certified honeys free from pesticides, GMOs, heavy metals and antiobiotic treatments. The company is a pioneer on the French market for royal jelly: a natural supplement packed with vitamins, ideal for the change of season. We were seduced by the honey from the Liffré forest and the Ronce de Bretagne, made in Bain de Bretagne. Honey even goes beyond the boundaries of food, with a range of organic cosmetics. Enough to get you excited about the world of beehives!

In her cellar-counter, opened in 2022, Margaux distills her love of wine into conversation, but not just any wine. The young woman selects only natural, biodynamic wines, vinified without inputs or additives. In particular, she highlights wines from Provence, her region of origin, as well as women winemakers... with an emphasis on small, committed operations. She also offers local beers, organic ciders and delicatessen products from Brittany. In the spirit of a neighborhood bar, the cellar also serves as a bar on weekends, where visitors can extend their conversation over a drink. It also organizes wine-tasting evenings several times a month.

The flavors of Lebanon beckon on the doorstep of this new Lebanese caterer! At the time of the confinement, Jean Halim, the man in charge, was still running the Made In Bey restaurant, with its highly acclaimed catering service. It was a turning point for this Lebanese-born chef. In February 2023, he opened this Lebanese catering concept, O Zaatar, named after a thyme and sesame-based spice popular in Lebanon. Typical dishes and desserts are on offer, as well as a selection of groceries: Lebanese bread, wines, olive oil, loukoum... Every day, three dishes are offered, all homemade with fresh ingredients, such as couscous or lemon confit chicken, lamb and prunes. A real treat!

It offers a variety of special breads such as chestnut, chorizo, olive, etc., as well as artisan viennoiseries and pastries. The bakery also offers a takeaway service.

He assures us that he has tasted almost all of the 200 or so wine references! Sébastien Auberville is the proud owner of L'Amuse-bouche, a new winery in the town center. Originally from the South of France, his wine-growing experiences led him to open his own store, in his own way. Here, bottles are presented by food and wine pairing. It's easy to go from specialties for an aperitif to wines to enjoy with white or red meat or fish. The wine merchant selects ethical wines, mostly organic or biodynamic.

The bakery also offers a delivery service. To obtain your loyalty card, simply visit the bakery and log in to your online profile. Promotional offers are regularly available to members of the loyalty program.