Restaurants in Calais
Calais may not be the most beautiful coastal town in France but it makes up for it with its amazing selection of superb restaurants
Calais is blessed with restaurants at every corner ranging from the friterries - shed like kioks selling chips on street corners - to gastronomic restaurants offering simply sublime meals.
The most gastronomic restaurants tend to belong to Toques d'Opale, a group of 13 fine dining venues either in or within ten minutes driving distance from Calais. The dining experience though will last an entire afternoon, so make time for this.
To help you choose a venue, eateries and restaurants display their menu outside. It is important to know however, that in many restaurants that lunchtime is strictly between 12 and 2.30pm. After 3pm it is virtually impossible to get served. The exception is the macdonalds of the world and those brasseries and cafés that have a 'Non-Stop' sign on their door. Au Calice in the town centre is a fine example of a non-stop restaurant.
Our favourites restaurants are listed here - including those that offer a quick eat. But if you are really in a hurry, you could buy a baguette and a bottle of your favourite vino, some cheese and make your way to the beach for some al fresco dining and watch the seagulls as they chase the ferries out of the port.
Bon Appetite.
Tip
English is understood in most restaurants in Calais but its worth knowing some of the phrases you may wish to use or see on a typical menu:
Plat du jour: Today's special
Entrée: Starter
Une carafe d'eau: Jug of water, usually tap water.
Service compris: Service included, usually 10%.
Aquar'aileAquar'aile is a stylish seafood restaurant located at the top of a block of flats. Address: 255 rue Jean Moulin, Plage de Calais Tel: 00 33 (0)321 34 00 00 Open: Daily (except Sunday evenings 12 noon to 3.45pm for lunch and 6pm to 10pm for dinner |
Le Sole MeunièreLe Sole Meunière overlooks the yacht basin and offers seafood as its speciality. Address:1 Boulevard de la Résistance, Calais Tel: 00 33 (0) 321 34 43 01 Open: for lunch 12 noon to 2.30pm and 6.30pm to 10.30pm for dinner. |
Au Côte d'ArgentAu Côte d'Argent offers fine seafood fare with views over the port. Address:1 Digue Gaston Berthe, Calais Tel: 00 33 (0)321 34 68 07 Open: Daily 12 noon to 3.45pm for lunch and 6pm to 10pm for dinner |
L'Histoire AncienneL'Histoire Ancienne offers fine traditionally French fare. Address: 20 rue Royale, Calais Tel: 00 33 (0) 321 34 11 20 Open: Daily 12 noon to 2.30pm for lunch and 6.30pm to 10.30pm for dinner |
Le ChannelLe Channel Traditional French food churned out with more than a dash of panache. Address:3 Boulevard de la Résistance, Calais Tel: 00 33 (0)321 34 42 30 Open: For lunch from 12 noon and from 6pm for dinner. |
Au CaliceAu Calice is a brasserie, offering home made brew and Flemish food. Address: 55 Boulevard Jacquard, Calais Tel: 00 33 (0)321 34 51 78 Open: Daily 8am to 2am |
La PleiadeLa Pléiade offers a gastronomic selection of seafood and other meat dishes. Address: 32 rue Jean Quéhen, Calais Tel: 00 33 (0) 321 34 11 20 Open: Daily 12 noon to 2.30pm for lunch and 6.30pm to 10.30pm for dinner |
Buffet de la GareBuffet de la Gare located conveniently next door to the railway station, offers cheap eats all day long. Address: Pont Jacquare, Calais Tel: 00 33 (0)321 34 42 20 Open: Daily 6am to 10pm |
Café de ParisWhen you spot the replica Eiffel tower you know you have arrive at Café de Paris. It's open all day and offers great, reasonably price food. Address: 72 Rue Royale, Calais Tel: 00 33 (0)321 34 76 84 Open: Daily 9am to 1am |
La BuissonnièreLa Buissonnière offers reliable, traditionally French cooking served in attractice surroundings. Address:Rue Neuve, Calais Tel: 00 33 (0)321 96 22 32 Open: from 12 noon to 10pm |
Le Ch'ti CharivariLe Ch'ti Charivari is pine clad restaurant that specialises in the cuisine of the Savoie region Address:6 rue de la Met, Calais Tel: 00 33 (0)321 19 21 21 Open: daily |
Restaurant La MerRestaurant La Mer is a fine seafood restaurant. Address:30 rue de la Mer, Calais Tel: 00 33 (0)321 96 17 72 Open: daily all day |