The best bars and cafés Poitou-Charentes

Even when you're in a hurry, it's hard not to take a peek in the store window. Located under the arcades of rue Chaudrier, this family-run business has become a well-known address. It's hard to choose between all the colorful delicacies. There's something for every taste and every shape. You'll find the great classics of French patisserie: baba au rhum, flan pâtissier, mille-feuille, but also more original creations: Frambofolie (chocolate-passion bavarois, almonds), Oasis (mango-passion creamy...

This café offers one of the most pleasant terraces in Pontaillac. It enjoys a prime location in the heart of the magnificent Pontaillac district, just across from the beach and casino. It's a great opportunity to sit out on the terrace and enjoy the iodine-filled atmosphere, or to settle into a cosy banquette in the dining room. The view over the ocean makes you want to sample the seafood: fine oysters, special oysters, whelks and shrimps. With friends, enjoy a cocktail with a platter of cheeses or charcuterie.

For almost 30 years, this atmospheric bar-restaurant on the beach at Nauzan has been serving up the unexpected. Popular with locals and tourists alike, it boasts an exotic setting. It's a popular address, as much for enjoying a fine meal by the pool as for sipping a cocktail. The atmosphere is relaxed, with casual service and simple cuisine, including wood-fired grills. Night owls make no mistake and return in droves to this happy place.

A well-known address of rochelaise youth. Every night at La Calhutte, it's Java! We come from friends to enjoy the festive, festive atmosphere that reigns there. It is certainly not very large and seating is expensive, but the guarantee of an excellent evening is stronger. The music is good and very appreciated by the clients, it is not unusual to see the whole assembly take on the refrain of a song of Black Désir or Telephone. Comfortably installed in sofas and while sipping pop-corn, you can drink a multitude of drinks (beer, cervoise, jacqueline). As soon as it's beautiful and the sun is on, I recommend that you take a good time on the terrace on the charming Forks square.

Next to the facade of the town hall, the terrace and ambience of Le Cabana have made this bar-lounge-restaurant famous. Here you'll find colorful, vitamin-packed cocktails, spirits and arranged rums, as well as an extensive wine list. In the basement, a ^16th-century vaulted cellar offers a modern, musical night-bar atmosphere. The place can be privatized.

Come for the conviviality of a drink and a board to share, or to extend the evening after enjoying the restaurant. A great atmosphere at Le Cabana.

La Terrasse is one of the rare bars in La Rochelle to make the dance floor vibrate to the sound of hip-hop and urban music. The advantage is that it is located in the city center and that the team is welcoming. Its large terrace (hence the name!) is crowded when the weather is nice, and its open-plan interior is the perfect place to party. Here, for the followers of this style, the music is good and it is not a coincidence if the dance floor is crowded even if it should be recognized that it is not very large.

This bar is located in one of the quiet streets of La Rochelle. Open all week and even the weekend it welcomes all those who want to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. It is in this place of sharing that you come among friends to drink a drink. The Harmattan - whose clientele is young enough - is the right place to get out of friends without having to break the vocal cords to discuss, with eclectic music not being too strong. The charm of the establishment is largely in its basement. A kind of very pleasant stone cellar.

Fat Co? We could believe it but not, the place is all the cleanest. We come to exchange, to drink, reasonably as it should… The smile is without supplement, the benefit without great surprise, and the short counters sometimes tasty: «when we know what we know, and we can see what one sees, we should not be surprised that one thinks what one thinks…» A laughable quotation to note in your calepins without further delay to reveal it during your next evening!

This bar-restaurant has a prime location, a little away from the hustle and bustle of the port, on the islet. The perfect opportunity to sit on a large terrace and discover Basque and Spanish specialities. Hot or cold tapas (marinated anchovy fillets, fried smelts) to taste. With friends, you can order a plate or a platter and discover more of this Iberian cuisine. The restaurant also proposes to taste more local products, seafood cooked a la plancha, oysters from Ré and mussels

It is a place as unique as timeless, installed under the arcades. As you enter, you will be charmed by the very special atmosphere that invites you to enjoy the moment, with your partner or family. As you sit in the room, you may think of Simenon who found his inspiration here. In this timeless place, you can write a few lines, rediscover the world around a coffee but you can also have lunch. The waiters, in traditional dress, will bring you copious and colored plates, to taste in particular in terrace.

This bar specializes in rum. When you arrive, you'll be delighted to be greeted by a resolutely friendly team. There's no doubt that Biggy, Julien and all the staff are passionate about rum! If you're a fan of this famous eau-de-vie, it's at the heart of the festivities here. The "tasting" formula lets you choose 2cl glasses to try out different varieties. Biggy, the king of cocktails, prepares for you a few specialities based on fresh fruit, rum or vodka. Success always has a downside, however, and the lack of space is sometimes palpable.

If at 10 o'clock in the morning you would like to eat a pizza or, why not, a steak, this brasserie is probably the only Établissement institution able to meet your request. Until midnight, you can get out of the theatre or cinema and order a meal without any problems. Apart from this great flexibility of schedule and availability, the room offers a very large reception capacity: groups of 30 to 40 people, or even more, will find their place without problems (however, groups must consider booking). In summer, add a terrace with a capacity of about 150 places to give you an idea of the size of the establishment. On the car park, count on the immediate proximity of the Brèche Square. Finally, the game nights, this restaurant is the rendezvous of the fans with the giant screen on the floor. On those evenings, the establishment is complete and the atmosphere is… sporty!

A festive place par excellence, this cocktail bar/tapas and restaurant, located in front of the Boyardville harbor, has become " the place to be" in Boyardville. The barmaids will take pleasure in explaining the composition of their mixtures based on whisky, cognac or rum, some of which have evocative names. For the courageous who will have been able to resist the very rich card of cocktails, there remains "the Chantaco" (without alcohol). L'Echoppe is also a place where one comes to attend many concerts. Friendly atmosphere guaranteed because here the staff is smiling!

The vegan restaurant Un piano dans la théière offers a unique culinary experience. Combining gastronomy, art and music, this establishment offers simple, authentic and elegant cuisine in which plants are king. Each plate is a real painting, carefully prepared by Chef Violaire. The chef's signature flowers add a touch of beauty to each dish. The restaurant also boasts a grand piano in the dining room, offering music lovers a pleasant musical ambience. For lovers of poetry, the restaurant also organizes a poetry competition on the theme of animals, with a tea time for two as the prize for the winner.

Just like the two nearby bars, Theatre Café is known for its location, right in the heart of downtown, on the main square of the city hall, commonly known as Weapons square. The place is magnificent, since the work that has been done in this place; it is huge and splendid, the sun is at the meeting, but the parasols protect you… The best is to come at the end of the day when the sunset falls on the town hall. Apart from that, the bar has nothing for him. The hotel was very close to the train station. So, certainly, the prices could point to the location, but if the bar does not create any event, people will only go. It is a pity…

A gourmet address that will melt more than one! It was during a trip to Quebec that Jaël came across a concept that made her fall in love: a dessert bar that combines crepes and chocolate. On the counter, milk, dark and white chocolate flows freely in the fountains. On the menu, pancakes of course, often unstructured or in the form of turnovers, associated with fruit, but also waffles, Brussels waffles or lollipops, and for all recipes, a good dose of chocolate. Addicts will go so far as to share a fountain and its sweets. At Signature, we also offer a savory break for lunch (pancakes, waffles) and gourmet drinks. Hard to resist.

For over a decade, Cuba Noche has been getting Latin-lovers up and dancing! The decor is inevitably reminiscent of Havana, with fabrics and objects from Cuba and, of course, music to sway to. In the evening, you can sip the inevitable cocktails in the baroque lounge, but in summer, staying indoors is out of the question! Head for the exotic terrace next to the forest, where it's all about having fun. Numerous evening events are on offer: kizomba initiation, salsa, Caribbean evening...

It's a meeting place where people like to chat. In winter, with jazzy music playing in the background, you can enjoy a cup of tea, coffee or syrup. It's cosy. It's easy to chat with strangers. The bistro tables are tightly packed. In summer, the shop window is open. In front of it, regulars enjoy the hustle and bustle of the square, sometimes with a notebook or book in hand. On the other side of the street, at the foot of Notre-Dame church, on the shady terrace, you can enjoy a drink with your sandwich or after the market. A place that remains true to itself.

Want to stop off at this bar? Keep your eyes peeled! It's located in a small street a stone's throw from the main square. Over the past year, the new owners have breathed new life into this well-known venue for young people in Oleron, without ever altering its character. New musical programming, concerts, temporary exhibitions and enlarged spaces... In summer, you can enjoy the sunshine on the new terrace and, of course, the attractive cocktail menu! Mojito, Kiss Me, Piña Colada and an extensive beer list.

One of the most popular wine and cocktail bars in Niort, the Vintage is a festive and cultural meeting place. Thibaud, the owner, Thomas, the cocktail master and J-B, the atmosphere master, continue to preserve the spirit of this warm and intimate place despite the world! Fiery sets, mojito parties, swing evenings with a little extra: the terrace where you can breathe. It will be possible to taste until late in the night sweet and salty appetizers, various plates. For those who like to party and dance, it's this way!

The Wings bar is perfect for quick and dildo restoration. Its table is generous and the advantage is that it is located only 400 metres from the Aérodrome airfield! Among the good plans to recover quickly, good and cheap, without having too much road to do after landing, the Bar des Ailes will be one of the best addresses to advise you the members of the Aéroclub aéroclub. Go, stop the praise and fly your own wings to the bar of the same name!

L'Etoile du Marin is a small, traditional district bar where quick shopping is just as fast as coffee. On the square of La Motte-Rouge, a large number of visitors are found indoors or on the terrace for moments of conviviality thanks, inter alia, to the sympathy of the bosses. Its authentic and rustic decoration fits perfectly with the ambient atmosphere. On the road to the station, the bar is also a place frequented by travellers. A bar as there is less and less.

Only 5 minutes from Chatelaillon-plage, this brewery is the place to be for those who want to relax after work. On sunny days, you can sit on the large terrace to sip a beer accompanied by the inevitable plank of cold meats. Ventrue, Goinfrue, Goulue... all are made by Arnaud with mostly local products. There is no doubt that these beers allow you to spend a convivial moment with friends! Moreover, this brewery is committed to an environmental quality approach!

This tea room is definitely worth a visit! Peacefully located in the center of the village, it boasts a lovely terrace and a charming welcome. Over the years, this chic, discreet address has become well known among gourmets. You come in the morning, by bike, to sit on the terrace and devour a quality breakfast: cake of the day, hot drink, homemade yoghurt, fruit juice and fresh market fruit. There's no doubt about it, you're full and ready for a ride! At lunchtime, as peaceful as ever, you can enjoy a savoury tart with a little greenery. But it's at snack time that gourmands always find a good reason to stop here! Over a cappuccino, iced tea or lemoncito, you can enjoy a cookie, an old-fashioned macaroon, a sweet tart... Z'adore even makes gluten-free pastries! A rich idea.

It's not easy to find this beer bar in Aytré's artisanal zone, next to the discotheque. Once you've arrived, you'll have no trouble parking and even less trouble getting through the doors of this beer bar. One thing's for sure, the place is huge: a large hangar housing dozens of beers, perfectly lined up, but also barrels, in the center, which serve as tables, and a large terrace. You take a seat on large stools before going to the counter to order... a beer, of course! If you're new to the beer scene, don't worry: you'll be greeted with a smile and, above all, guided in your choice. Just say what kind of beer you like, and you'll be sure to get the one that's just right for you. To make your meal even more enjoyable, Le Petit Futé recommends a sausage (wild boar, porcini mushrooms, dry sausage, hazelnuts) served on a plank, or cheese: tomme from the Charente, Pyrenees, Cantal... And if you're a bit of a gambler, you'll enjoy a game of darts! The spacious premises are ideal for entertaining friends or buying a gift set.

It's a bit of a feeling that you're going back in time, direction the 1960-1970 s with the facade of this little bar. Here you are offered to rehydrate (water or drink from your warm) and even to restore yourself. It's not big kitchen, instead of the brewery, but it's perfectly correct at reasonable prices. On the other hand, the reception is not the specialty of the house and we are not very tempted to dwell on the site. It's better to be an experienced person than a tourist visibly…

Here's an unusual place to have a drink with friends! Docked in the mediatheque district, the former weather ship has been home to a bar on its upper deck for the past ten years. Rochelais and tourists alike know the place well, ideal for sampling regional products such as oysters from the Ile de Ré and charcuterie from Monsieur Riton while sipping a cocktail. 2018 is a time of renewal for this seaside bar! But rest assured, the place still leaves room for creative encounters and the marine atmosphere is still conducive to relaxation. In 2019, the bar will extend ashore to offer a space combining dining and culture.

This bar makes the Old Port vibrate. Located in the heart of the quayside, it's a meeting point for the people of La Rochelle who want to have a good time in a place where the decor is different from other bars, and where the atmosphere is very special. Les Enfants du Rock offers a rock spirit that has marked a whole generation. On weekdays and in fine weather, you can sit out on the terrace for a coffee or a beer. With friends, you can sway to a playlist dedicated to all lovers of good music: U2, Dépêche Mode...

This bar, located in the famous Gabut district, appeals to many people from La Rochelle. Close to the university, students are the first to frequent it! Close to the Old Port and the city center, the bar is easily accessible, and its entertainment throughout the week attracts anyone looking for a good time. Antoine and Oléna have created a place where you'll feel right at home, especially on the sunny terrace. We appreciate the friendly welcome and the varied music. And don't forget, they're also environmentally conscious, using organic wheat straws!

At Ilot Tison, on the banks of the River Clain, the Guinguette Pictave is the place to be. Under the great hall, at the bar or with your feet in the sand in summer, it's the ideal place to relax with a drink, or play games at the Ludoguette. From shuffleboard and darts to cornhole and Mario kart, there's no time for boredom! In the old sawmill, enjoy music or a match on the giant screen. And if you're feeling peckish, the Circus-style delicacies bar awaits you, not to mention the 7 foodtrucks serving world cuisine on site. Conviviality guaranteed!

This is one of the addresses to remember for all those who come to shop in Royan. This tea room is ideally located in the heart of the shopping streets, offering both a small sunny terrace and a cosy room. After lunch or for an afternoon snack, this roaster is a great place to sip hot chocolate and cappuccino while devouring a home-made pastry, including the inevitable lemon meringue tart. Coffees come from all over the world, from New Guinea to Brazil.

This small address, just a step from Les Halles, is one of those that we exchange between friends to offer ourselves a nice lunch break. You have two choices: order and take away your favorite dish to enjoy it in the sun or take a seat in one of the two rooms to devour it on the spot. Everything here invites you to spend a nice moment from the welcome to the products present which are all fresh and rich in tastes! What a pleasure to taste a poke bowl, a burger, home made fries or a fish and chips... and some delicacies!

Among the establishments on the rue des Templiers, this café stands out a little from its neighbors. Open only during the day - with the exception of a few much-appreciated afterwork sessions - this place, with its colorful new decor, is a favorite with those looking for a comforting break or a bite to eat. The menu changes with the seasons, with a wide choice of drinks, salads, sandwiches, soups and famous cakes. The emphasis is on homemade and healthy food, as well as good humor! The team is smiling and the service is fast.

Jennifer has done it! She's opened a tea room where you can sip your favorite drink in the company of little felines. Before you even enter, take the time to observe the window, and you'll no doubt see cats roaming freely. Don't hesitate to enter! You'll be charmed by both the smiling welcome and the cosy, peaceful atmosphere. It's a great opportunity to take a break in the heart of the city with a brunch, a hot drink and a treat in the company of cats.

Fans of beer, metal and the Simpsons will love this place. Tony and May, the owners, distill a rock'n'roll atmosphere! Located on the second floor of Les Pirates restaurant, Chez Moe's serves fish and chips, burgers, poutine... and frigadelle (grandma's recipe). And drinks: a beautiful yellow tapping machine offers 21 pressings for a total of over 200 references of wines and spirits, along with house cocktails. Terrace and stage for concerts complete the setting. We're sure you'll love it!

This café, run by Edouard and Christophe, couldn't be named after a more famous playwright. Everything here inspires happiness: the warm welcome, the pretty terrace overlooking the square, but also the room in which you love to take refuge. With its jazzy ambience and large bay window, it's with a smile on your face that you order your coffee. In the mornings, you can enjoy breakfast, and at lunchtime, the restaurant offers simple but high-quality food: oysters, homemade mayo shrimps, tartare... and you can take the time to admire the works of the artists exhibited each month.

L'Envers du Bocal claims to be a plural place. And it is! Noé, Aurélien and Hélène, musician, visual artist and social worker, have created a new kind of bar-cannery to offer a convivial space for exchanging and tasting local canned goods. The place is decorated with salvaged furniture and diverted objects for a unique and original rendering with an exhibition room upstairs for the works of local artists. Numerous evenings of concerts, debates, traditional jams, readings, slams or improvisation matches are on the program.

Pushing open the pretty white wrought-iron gate, you'll make your way to the terrace of this den of sweet pleasures, where you'll lose your breath at the selection of sweets to eat and drink. This is Sandrine Lebon's place, her voice as delicate as her welcome. Enjoy teas (iced in summer!), vintage coffees and hot fruit juices, all accompanied by delicious cakes. Saturday is scone day! And don't forget to admire the current exhibition on the walls. A lovely sweet break.

A third place open to all. In addition to the café/convenience store and free Wi-Fi, there are several spaces for you to do your own thing. A meeting room, a co-working area, a repair workshop - travellers and cyclists, take note of this good plan, as well as a LabTelier. The latter has the latest digital tools, 3D printer, digital embroidery machine, laser cutter and more: it's up to you! The pro team organizes training sessions all year long. Go to the Facebook page to discover the program.

Here is a place that beer lovers frequent with happiness. Established for more than 15 years in the Beaulieu commercial area, the Cervoiserie is above all a friendly place, ideal to spend a moment with friends. The staff is smiling, the atmosphere is warm and the choice of beers is really incredible, with some 300 references available! It's impossible not to find the beverage that will make you happy. The place is also perfect for gift ideas.

This small wine bar is a real favorite because of the quality-price ratio of the wines offered, the interior decoration where you can choose your own bottle and the outdoor tables that give it a friendly atmosphere. You just have to enter to be seduced by the warm welcome of smiling waiters who will give you all the advices to choose your wine. While sipping this precious beverage, you will taste a hot Mont d'Or, the inevitable planks of cold cuts but also tapas. Here is a place to discover to spend a beautiful evening.

A surprising place, to say the least! Located close to the market, this cocktail bar promises to be a real treat. We appreciate the warm welcome from Laura, always smiling and dynamic, and the setting, as atypical as it is magnificent. With friends, we come here to sip cocktails that are as pretty to look at as they are delicious! What's more, you can sit comfortably on the mezzanine. Let yourself be carried away by the friendly atmosphere and vintage decor, and discover cocktails that change with the seasons, while nibbling on a few dishes.

Soft jazzy music, a hushed ambience, a pretty wooden floor - that's L'Instant T. This café is located within the Espace culturel, offering a resolutely refined break. Le Petit Futé invites you to take a seat around one of the small tables, comfortably ensconced in one of the armchairs. Take your time and discover a menu that invites you to savor. If you feel like sipping a hot drink, you can choose between a cappuccino (vanilla, hazelnut, caramel), a café Moka, a Viennese chocolate or a surprising Instant Gourmand chocolate (milk, chocolate, homemade whipped cream and your choice of flavour). Cold drinks also feature coffee: Moka or espresso frappé, but also milkshakes and smoothies (strawberry, banana, mango...). Peacefully seated, you'll be pleasantly served, and no doubt bump into former Stade Rochelais player Étienne Léobet, or one of the equally friendly waitresses. But don't think you come here just for a coffee. For lunch, you can order at the counter and eat in or take away. Pasta or lasagne from Italian caterer Basilic'o, paninis, salads, quiches... And let's not forget the sweet treats: doughnuts, caramelized apple crumble, tiramisu... A few mignardises to accompany your coffee to make it even more... gourmand!

A pleasant atmosphere where the Chaniérauds (inhabitants of Champniers) give themselves an appointment for a drink or lunch. The menu is generous: soup or sardine or peach before a supreme chicken sauce sauce and vegetable pan, followed by cheese… and, it's not finished… Provided you have some appetite for a black forest, tiramisu, coconut pie, ice… All this at a modest price.

The site has been working since 1975 and still offers new activities over the years. The most important event is on August 14 with a fire firework fire bringing together 20 000 spectators from all corners of the department. Today we practice sailing, canoeing and mountain biking. Children's games, a quad route and supervised swimming are available to the public. There is a snack-restaurant held by Richard Myers which offers salads, grills, sausages, ham, etc.