Caen's town centre offers two major areas for eating: with cosmopolitan restaurants in the pedestrianized quartier Vaugueux and more traditional French restaurants on the streets off rue de Geôle, near the western ramparts, particularly rue des Croisiers and rue Gémare.L'Alcide 1 place Courtonne tel 02.31.44.18.06. Conspicuous but unexceptional-looking bistro-style place that turns out to be surprisingly good, serving classic rich French dishes cooked with great attention to detail. Menus from €13.80 up to €21.90. Closed Sat. Le Bouchon du Vaugueux 12 rue du Graindorge tel 02.31.44.26.26. Intimate little brasserie in the Vaugueux quarter, offering daily lunch specials for €7–10, good-value salads for €8, and dinner menus from €15.20. Closed Mon eve, Sun, and first three weeks of Aug. Le Carlotta 16 quai Vendeuvre tel 02.31.44.26.26. Smart, busy, fashionable Paris-style brasserie beside the pleasure port, which serves good Norman cooking both à la carte and on menus from €17.06. Closed Sun. L'Insolité 16 rue du Vaugueux tel 02.31.43.87.87. Attractive half-timbered restaurant with terrace and indoor seating in the Vaugueux district. The main emphasis is on seafood, with a €14.94 menu that features a trio of steamed fish, and a knock-out €38.11 Prestige menu. Closed Sun eve, plus Mon in low season. Maître Corbeau 8 rue Bouquet tel 02.31.93.93.00. Fondue is the speciality in this eccentric little place, and they won't let you forget it, festooning the whole place with cheesy iconography. A typical fondue costs around €13, while set menus start from €15. Closed Sat lunch, Sun, Mon lunch & all Aug. La Petite Auberge 17 rue des Équipes-d'Urgence tel 02.31.86.43.30. Plain and simple restaurant, with a nice view of the St-Jean church. Very good value Norman specialities, served on an €11 menu (daily except Sat) that doesn't force you to eat tripe, or a wide-ranging €17 one. Closed Sun, Mon & first three weeks of Aug. La Vie Claire 4 rue Basse tel 02.31.93.66.72. Vegetarian restaurant, attached to a pricey health-food shop, that serves pasta and salad specials – and also some fish – for €5–8. Open Tues–Sat for lunch only.
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