Dining out in old Vannes can be an expensive experience, whether you eat in the intimate little restaurants along the rue des Halles, or down by the port. If you're just looking for a snack, try the area outside the walls in the northeast, extending from the Porte-Prison towards the gare SNCF. The leading venue for live music is the John R. O'Flaherty, at 22 rue Hoche (tel 02.97.42.40.11; closed Sun), which has traditional Irish music on Fridays, while there's a gay bar, Le Bateau Ivre, at 12 place Cabello in the St-Patern district (tel 02.97.68.19.14). At the end of July and the start of August, the open-air concerts of the Vannes Jazz Festival take place in the Théâtre de Verdure.Brasserie des Halles 9 rue des Halles tel 02.97.54.08.34. Inexpensive brasserie, which manages to squeeze a few tables out onto the pavement. €9 buys a bowl of mussels and €12 a seafood choucroute, and there's a wide range of mainly fishy dishes at similar prices. Open daily. Le Commodore 3 rue Pasteur tel 02.97.46.42.62. Unassuming marine-themed local restaurant, tucked away around the back of the post office, which offers plenty of fishy treats on menus that start at €10 at lunchtime, and from around €12 in the evening. Closed Sun. Crêperie La Cave St-Gwenaël 23 rue St-Gwenaël tel 02.97.47.47.94. Atmospheric, good-value crêperie in the cellar of a lovely old house, facing the cathedral. Closed Sun, Mon lunchtime & all Jan. Restaurant de Roscanvec 17 rue des Halles tel 02.97.47.15.96. Superb formal gourmet restaurant, in a lovely half-timbered house in the old town. Lunch at €17 is a bargain, while even the cheapest dinner menu, at €23, features unusual dishes such as cremeux d'huîtres (creamed oysters), beautifully prepared and presented. Closed Sun in summer, Sun evening & all Mon Sept–June.
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