Deauville’s best restaurants

1. Ciro's: the rebirth of an icon

The spot? Inaugurated in 1920 in front of the Barrière Le Normandy, one of Deauville's finest hotels, then in 1959 on the Planches, Ciro's was an instant hit with French and international film stars who made it their haunt, including Jean Gabin, Françoise Sagan, Elizabeth Taylor and Harrison Ford. Over the years, Ciro's has become an institution - even hosting a G8 dinner - and has been given a new lease of life. An inspired contemporary decor, designed by Friedmann & Versace, restores its brightness and light without losing any of its legendary soul. The woodwork is reminiscent of yacht cabins, the muted fabrics radiate timeless elegance, and the Bernardaud and Degrenne tableware completes the French art de vivre that the place has embodied for over a century.

On the plate? Since October 2024, Ciro's has had a new captain: chef Adrien Brunet, a graduate of the Saint James, five-star hotel in Paris. Behind his discreet appearance lies a cuisine that is less classic than it might seem: clear, vibrant and generous, driven by the precision of the cooking and the sincerity of the products.

For generations, guests have come here for the emblematic soles meunieres prepared before their very eyes, or the lobster bouillabaisse, but the chef also likes to surprise with more daring proposals: golden, crispy langoustine fritters served with an airy hollandaise sauce, sea bass crudos with ginger, lean meats with horseradish or tuna with citrus fruits, not forgetting the grilled oysters with pommeau sabayon, available in sets of three or six.

Facing the English coastline, fish-and-chips-style cod and its amusing puffed apples play up the playful note, while the accompaniments - potato mousseline, baby spinach, garden vegetables - compose a score without false note.

On the sweet side, pastry chef Thomas Philippe delights with a mille-feuille of bourbon vanilla and flowing caramel, a remarkably light chocolate soufflé or an apple confit with Norman cider. Gourmets will love the now-famous bucket of warm mini madeleines, shamelessly dipped in melting salted butter caramel.

Ciro's at Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy
Les Planches, Boulevard de la Mer, Deauville
Open daily, from 12:30 to 2pm and from 7 to 10pm
hotelsbarriere.com/deauville/le-normandy

2. Le Deauville: the Costes' remarkable arrival on the Côte Fleurie

The spot? True to their reputation and expertise, Gilbert and Thierry Costes have found a rare location which, to make matters worse, settles the Deauville vs Trouville debate once and for all, right in the middle, on the Touques peninsula. In other words, the building at the foot of the marina's belvederes. A hitherto little-used corner of the town, it is now a highly sought-after new district. The restaurant already has a capacity of 150 inside, but this can be doubled on the sunny, quiet terrace. As for the decor, English designer Martin Brudnizki (already at work on the Jardins de Presbourg and La Plage Parisienne) has brought his glamorous touch to the place. It's chic, pop, full of historical nods to the city and just the right amount of quirkiness to appeal to all generations. Quite frankly, a great success.

On the plate? By the sea, fish and seafood are in the spotlight here. Especially since Le Deauville has its own experienced and creative shellfish chef. The New Style platter, which "cooks" langoustines with wasabi and raw-cooked tuna with miso, is a prime example. But purists, meat-eaters, vegetarians and Costes addicts can rest assured: yes, the Crying Tiger is there! There's something for everyone on the à la carte menu.

Le Deauville
3 quai Louis Bréguet, Deauville
Monday to Friday: continuous service from 12pm to 11pm
Weekends and school vacations, from 12pm to 1am
restaurantledeauville.com

3. Maximin Hellio, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Deauville with finesse and discretion

The spotlight? After chaperoning his family's Michelin-starred restaurant (La Voile d'or in Saint-Brieuc, Côtes-d'Armor), Maximin Hellio (formerly with Marc Haeberlin and Pré Catelan in Alsace) left the Breton nest for the beautiful eyes of a Deauvillaise woman. With Sophie in the dining room and in charge of the bottles, his eponymous iodized Deauville restaurant reinvents local cuisine. Opened in 2017, the noble house earned its macaron in the process. Open kitchen, hushed alcoves, private lounge... the chic wagon ambience ticks all the gastro codes without adding any ladles.

On the plate? Great art. A choice of two 6-course menus inspired by Normandy's bocage countryside or fish products. The result: sumptuous Chausey lobster with tarragon, cliff asparagus with fir tree sauce, ultra-creamy Marans brown egg with yuzu sauce, Saint-Pierre de petit bateau with Granny Smith apple and fennel... The cheeses are matured by a Meilleur Ouvrier de France and matched by a vertiginous wine list. A perfect stop-off for a romantic weekend in Normandy.

Maximin Hellio
64 rue Gambetta, Deauville
Tel: 33 7 71 93 79 97
maximinhellio.fr

4. Bar du Soleil, the terrace at Les Planches

The spot? We jump on the last available chairs facing the sea (a highly prized commodity: remember to reserve or come early). And if it starts to rain in Normandy, don't panic. A table in the pergola, designed by architect Nido, saves the day. The kitchen and bar are housed in the old Art Deco building next door (you're welcome to take a look).

On the plate? At Bar du Soleil, we take our time and... enjoy an aperitif. At this cheerful, colorful Italian address, choose from a range of spritzes, accompanied by mortadella and stracciatella focaccia or calamari romana. Continue with a comforting osso bucco or lemon linguine. And to finish: a tiramisu, a coffee, your feet in the sand. The dolce vita of Deauville.

Bar du Soleil
Les Planches, Deauville
Tel: 33 2 31 88 04 74

5. Le Bouillon Morny: a Parisian-style bouillon

The spot? Bouillons are all the rage. Resurrected in Pigalle and République (cf. the long queues...), here they are, trendy as ever, infiltrating the capital's 21st arrondissement on the Côte Fleurie. And that's a good thing. We love the "bonne franquette" spirit and the light bill. White tiles, wooden tables and paper tablecloths: the contract is fulfilled, and you'll feel like you're at Les Halles in Paris during the Belle Époque.

On the plate? The canonically priced ritornello of bistro classics we love to eat: traditional steamed herring and apple with homemade aioli sauce, rustic country terrine, deliciously regressive coquillettes with truffle cream and white ham, knife-grilled sausage with full-bodied gravy and a demented chicken with Auge Valley sauce (mushrooms, onions and cider) and pommes allumettes.

6. Le Réfectoire: the trendy Franciscan canteen

The spot? A former 19th-century convent transformed into a cultural venue with museum, exhibitions and media library. With its large sharing table surrounded by books and its south-facing terrace, this arty, short-circuit canteen is breaking new ground. An off-the-radar venue with a cuisine to match. The cooking is doped with local produce and plays on the exhibitions of the moment, transposed into dishes with cheeky pairings.

On the plate? First-class snacks such as this pantagruelian B.un's with roast beef and grilled vegetables, a runny heart of Normandy cheese, fresh salads (bird's tongues, spiced salmon, crunchy vegetables), creative daily specials... Le Réfectoire is also known for its quality brunch and tea time. Soft cakes in chocolate, pistachio or lemon flavors are served with an assortment of Flore Norman organic infusions and teas made in the region.

Le Réfectoire
145 B avenue de la République, Deauville
Tel: 33 2 61 52 29 40
lesfranciscaines.fr

7. La Belle Époque, a Proustian setting for gourmets

The spot? This bastion of the Barrière group is one of Deauville's finest restaurants, with a décor that seems to have stepped straight out of the pages of Proustian literature. Gigantic mirrors, moldings, wide banquettes, crystal chandeliers... it's the splendor of yesteryear that unfolds in the large dining room. Weather permitting, it's a good idea to take advantage of the terrace in the hotel's walled garden. You'll appreciate the polite, slightly old-fashioned but charming service.

On the plate? A classic menu masterfully orchestrated by chef Christophe Bezannier, featuring exceptional products. Foie gras, snails and roast camembert open the waltz.

This is followed by a delicate choice between divine sole meunière or pollack à la dieppoise. Meat eaters can opt for châteaubriand with pepper sauce or entrecôte béarnaise (from Normandy, of course!) A place for dessert? Without a doubt, tarte tatin with crème fraîche. On Sundays, a popular and gargantuan brunch.

La Belle Époque
38 rue Jean Mermoz, Deauville
Tel : 33 2 31 98 65 13
Hôtel Le Normandy

8. Au Duc de Morny: the artisan confectioner

The spotlight? Founded in 1965, the chocolate factory came under the Dolfi banner in 2013 (A la Mère de Famille, the oldest chocolate factory in Paris, but also Henriet in Biarritz, Témoins in Caen, Buissière in Limoges...). At the helm of this sugar empire: father Etienne and his descendants, Jonathan, Jane, Sophie and Steve, claim to have mastered artisanal production, from the choice of raw materials to the processing of cocoa beans.

On the plate? Caramels, bonbons and chocolates, but also fruit jellies, pralines, macaroons, nougats... and other high GI bombs proudly strut their stuffed shelves. A must-try is the Trou Normand speciality, a full-bodied black ganache topped with grapes and Calvados liqueur.

Au Duc de Morny
59 rue Désiré le Hoc, Deauville
Tel: 33 2 31 88 20 34
ducdemorny.com

9. L'Équilibriste: the speakeasy everyone's talking about

The spot? The brainchild of childhood friends Jonathan Langlois (ex-bar du Normandy) and Émilien Rasset, with their bow ties and suspenders, the place underwent a transformation in 2021. Tabula rasa for the declining gastro, the duo reignited the boiler with a bobo-festive concept right in tune with the times.

In the glasses? Cocktails with evocative names like this invigorating Antidote (tequila, Ramazzotti liqueur, agave water, ginger syrup, lime, Mezcal). A malty option with organic draught beer created especially for the establishment in Normandy. On the food front, L'Equilibriste is on a roll. Foie gras cooked au naturel and addictive tarama with truffles are served alongside gambas pappardelle with Thai sauce, red tuna a la plancha with sauce vierge, sweet potato purée and green asparagus.

L'Equilibriste
52 rue Mirabeau, Deauville
Tel: 33 2 31 88 24 40
lequilibriste-deauville.com

10. Gérard Taurin: the glacier in sight

The spot? In the race for the title of best glacier, competition is fierce. All the more so as an outsider in a blue-white-and-red collar arrives with his award-winning siphons. Gérard Taurin, MOF and world champion, the grandson of Norman farmers, spent 32 years with Lenôtre before setting up his own business in Mortagne-au-Perche.

What's on the menu? Virtuous ice creams, made with organic milk from Normandy cows raised on grass. On the flavour side, the focus is on sure things: delicate organic bourbon vanilla from Madagascar, dapper Alfonso mango, pulpy strawberry, Sicilian pistachio, or we tease out well-balanced extravagances: sweet potato, Japanese yuzu, buckwheat for Breton pancakes or lemon spirulina.

Gérard Taurin
37 rue Olliffe, Deauville
Open in season
Tel: 33 2 14 99 01 32
gerardtaurin.fr