Sitting high above the cobbled streets and the bustling Vieux Bassin, a rooftop terrace in Honfleur offers a perspective that ground-level cafés simply cannot match. The Normandy light, made famous by Impressionist painters, takes on a magical quality when enjoyed from an elevated vantage point.
While Honfleur is celebrated for its maritime history and timber-framed houses, its vertical landscape is often overlooked. Tucked away atop hotels, galleries, and boutique guesthouses are intimate spaces where the sea breeze mingles with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
Finding these hidden terraces often requires a bit of local knowledge, as many are discreetly located away from the main tourist flow. The reward, however, is a peaceful escape from the crowds that gather around the harbor below.
In this guide, we explore the finest elevated establishments the city has to offer. Whether you are seeking a morning espresso, a crisp glass of local cider, or a quiet moment to watch the boats return to port, these venues deliver.
Each location has been selected for its unique view, quality of beverages, and the authenticity of its atmosphere. They represent the best of Honfleur’s ability to blend rustic Norman charm with a touch of elevated elegance.
Here are the 12 best rooftop cafes in Honfleur that you should consider for your next visit.
Lou Cabana
| Address | 3 Quai Saint-Etienne, 14600 Honfleur |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | 02 31 89 05 32 |
Really nice spot right in front of the harbour, so the view is beautiful and it’s a lovely place to sit and watch the boats and people go by. The prices are a little high for the portions. I had the salmon and avocado toast, which was quite small, but the taste was really good! 🤤
The tarte Tatin for dessert absolutely hit the spot — it was SO good! My boyfriend enjoyed his dish a little less as he found it lacking in flavour, but overall we had a nice experience. The staff were also really friendly and welcoming. A great spot to relax and enjoy the harbour!
Delicious food friendly service. Horrendous music!
Saw this place on Google reviews with one of the the highest scores so decided to visit.
Friendly service and the food was delicious, albeit quite pricey. Fish soup was very tasty and lobster with pasta was superb but the whole experience was completely ruined by the horrendous eurotrash 90s dance music mix which gave me indigestion and totally killed the relaxing atmosphere of the port.
Change the music and I'd be back like a shot. Otherwise give it a miss.
The best meal I’ve had in France so far!
We started with the mussels in cream sauce, and they were absolutely divine. The sauce was rich, flavorful, and perfect for soaking up with bread. The oysters were also super fresh.
The tagliatelle homard was the star of the meal. You could really taste the quality of the ingredients—the fresh herbs, the beautifully balanced sauce, and the lobster itself. The portion was generous, with a whole lobster included, and it was incredibly juicy, fresh, and delicious.
Every element of the dish was executed perfectly. A memorable meal and a restaurant I would happily return to.
I went with friends and waited for 5minutes to get seat. Staff was friendly and helpful even though they spoke little English. Food was good especially lobsters. The Normandy dessert was good. It seems bit overpriced but worthy for the price. Outside was crowded
A fantastic restaurant- you could tell the staff are happy to be there! The crepes we had were delicious and filling. We tried the Normandie and the pepper steak. Very comfortable chairs and such a pretty view! My favourite of our trip so far.
L'Albatros
| Address | 32 Quai Sainte-Catherine, 14600 Honfleur |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 12:30 AM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 12:30 AM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 12:30 AM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 12:30 AM Friday: 7:30 AM – 12:30 AM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:30 AM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Phone | 02 31 89 25 30 |
This has been one of our go to locations as we stayed in Honfleur for two months. The Galettes were our normal reason for coming here. However, I do have to warn that there is a bit of consistency variance. What you see in our photo is hopefully what you will get, however, we have received portions that were about 1/3 smaller with less chicken. It may just be who the cook is in the kitchen. The ambience is great, looking out over the harbor. We only had our favorite waitress there one time, but she was a very memorable person and a real sweetheart. She was raised in Brooklyn originally by two French parents.
Tried L’Albatros for breakfast. Ordered their ham & egg breakfast with croissant. What I liked about the place more than anything was their authentic “coffee shop sound”. That background calm noise when people talk slowly in a coffee shop. I guess their acoustic structure makes it beautiful, specially early morning.
For shame on the people running this establishment for charging €13.20 for a pint of beer. Friendly service, but the astronomical price for a pint of beer leaves a very sour taste in the mouth. Lesson learned, always check the price ...but you shouldn't really have to.
We were on the hunt for an easy breakfast and this was it! Absolutely delicious croissants and great smoked salmon. The staff was lovely and speedy. Enjoyed!
One of the few places in Honfleur that opens early for breakfast. Fantastic eggs, bacon & croissants. Super nice staff and bar dog included. Loved it!
L'Oxalis
| Address | 12 Pl. Arthur Boudin, 14600 Honfleur |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 9:30 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 9:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 9:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 9:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 9:30 PM |
| Phone | 02 31 89 35 35 |
The service was very nice. We enjoyed the wine recommendation and also dessert. However, the main course that we ordered was not up to expectation. Octopus was super rubbery (our fault for not voicing out). The potato that came with the steak was burnt. However, the service was good!
L'Oxalis was a really lovely dining experience overall. The service stood out right from the start — we were initially seated inside, but when we asked to move outdoors to enjoy the beautiful square, the staff were more than happy to accommodate us. Throughout the meal, the waiters were incredibly attentive, regularly checking in to make sure everything was okay. They were warm, friendly, and genuinely welcoming, which made a big difference.
The food was superb. The oysters were fresh, the foie gras was rich and delicious, and the mains were excellent — we had the lamb and the salmon, both cooked perfectly. The only small downside was the menu selection, as I would have liked to see a bit more seafood on offer.
Dessert was decent, though not quite as strong as the rest of the meal. I tried the mille-feuille out of curiosity, but it didn’t fully win me over.
Overall, it’s a very good restaurant with fantastic service and high-quality food. I’d definitely recommend it.
Really excellent food. I had the fish of the day, served with a quinoa risotto in a saffron and shellfish sauce. My husband had the tataki. Both perfectly made. For our daughter it was fish of the day with best mashed potato ever and lovelycarrots. Kind and considerate wait staff. Great find!
We’ve been in France, Brittany and Normandy for two weeks and to be frank the meals out - from cheap to expensive -have been mixed. However at L Oxalis we arrived at what we wanted from French cooking. Not overcomplicated, great sources, interesting choices, and fantastic tastes. A nice place to finish.
A wonderful restaurant showcasing the best of French cuisine. Fresh, locally sourced seafood takes center stage, complemented by attentive service and a creative menu with refined presentation. The oysters and shellfish are exceptionally fresh — truly a highlight of the dining experience.
Le P’tit Honfleur
| Address | 18 Quai Sainte-Catherine, 14600 Honfleur |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Phone | 06 22 00 07 57 |
Wonderful location next to the harbour.
The oysters were very fresh and at a reasonable price.
We also tried the cider, beer, wine and even Calvados!
The crepe was superb and the service was very attentive.
Could not ask for more!
Great drinks (cider, beer, white wine and calvados flavored coffee), delicious food (fresh oysters and a huge charcuterie & cheese board), friendly service and all of it happening next to the "Vieux Bassin" made for a perfect lunch with friends.
Ordered the mussels and fritts waitress pleasant but mussels tiny and broth..liquid was so salty it was unpalatable..don't like leaving negative reviews.. but this was needed
Very nice location, very nice staff, very nice food.
If you don’t eat ENOUGH food, the get upset. The wine and food that we ordered was good (chickens nuggets). Music was nice and the girl serving us was friendly
Brume - Lounge Bar & Cocktails
| Address | 9 Rue de la ville, 14600 Honfleur |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 3:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 3:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Phone | 02 61 52 30 90 |
Beautifully refurbished. In a nice location in the centre of Honfleur. Friendly staff. Can sit outside. It was only for a drink so can't score the food but we had apertizer with some nibbles to share and it was very good
Don't go there!!
We arrived at the place and there was noone, we had to wait 15minutes before ordering. We ordered dark and stories, and we received ginger beer with a drop of rum, we asked if we could get a bit more rum and they said no problem. It was still very light but we didn't bothered to complain again. When wanted to pay, they added €10 for the extra rum ,we asked.
Total ripoff
A lovely, smart and relaxed bar in the heart of Honfleur. Excellent cocktails served by an attentive and skilled team. Loved it.
Cocktails are amazing, sun is shining on the terrace and the staff is really friendly ❤️
Horrible service. They don't know when to clean a table, takes forever to place an order, and when they come with drinks, they are clueless for which table the order is. Don't come here. Spend your time somewhere else. Also the it's expensive.
Le Perroquet Vert
| Address | 52 Quai Sainte-Catherine, 14600 Honfleur |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Phone | 02 31 89 14 19 |
Highly recommend! We loved our food and service here! Our family of 5 from Canada are happy we stopped in on May 17th. Julienne welcomed us with a smile and recommended a beautiful wine and brew, with a delicious bread, meat and cheese plate 😋 He was patient and spoke good english for us. The atmosphere and vibe of this establishment were top notch. Thank you! We would all love to return one day soon 🙂
Nice view
Good price for brunch 24,50€
Tasty tood
First day in Honfleur, nice walk around and found this little place on the Marina... I asked the waiter if they had cider, and he replied "of course Sir, this is Normandy." Never offered us a menu, and asked us to take a seat... 2 small bottles of cider appeared, which I must say were very nice. We asked for water for our dog, and had to ask twice more before was finally bought one.... Service not great, the guy who served us was too busy having a beer.... Then I picked up the bill... €32. I felt a little foolish for not asking for a menu, but nor was I offered one... typical tourist rip off, had bought us the most expensive one the sold..... lesson learnt, paid the bill and won't return. Make your own mind up as whether this was a nice/fair thing to do...
The tartine gourmand was so good and very reasonable pricing with great view of the water. Cheese and bread with the other condiments was very well prepared and super fresh. Thoroughly enjoyed this meal! Great location and beer selection. Our server was great and will definitely come back here!
We dined here on a hot & sunny day. The restaurant was almost empty of diners. We ordered two dishes. A vegetarian club sandiwch and a vegetarian Croque monsieur. Both dishes were ok, and were served quickly. The service is not top notch, but they managed to respond in a timely manner to our requests. The price is good for two dishes, and we enjoyed our experience. What could have been better is to offer some sort of a complementary tap water when a guest arrives, due to the high temperatures.
Le Brunch Café
| Address | En haut des marches, 4 Rue des Logettes, 14600 Honfleur |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 02 31 89 69 30 |
Sometimes the best restaurant experiences are the ones you walk into with absolutely no expectations. Le Brunch Café in Honfleur completely exceeded ours — from the delicious food and gorgeous cakes to the refreshing drinks and warm, attentive service. We were genuinely mesmerised by the whole experience. Highly recommend! ✨
A very nice brunch Menue if you are searching for a good brunch here is a good place. They also offer oat milk in your coffee 🙂
Very bad service. They are extremely slow. We waited almost 45 minutes for two coffees and an avocado toast! As tourists passing through Honfleur for just one day, coming to this café was a waste of time. The avocado toast was less than normal just toast with avocado on top. The worst surprise was finding an insect on the lettuce, which clearly hadn’t even been washed.
Delicious food and coffee and really beautiful little spot with a view of historic clock tower when you sit out the front. Staff were very welcoming and friendly and it was quick service. Not cheap, but worth the price.
Very nice coffee place: excellent choice of coffees and tea, exquisite cake and pastries. Inside lovely French style with lots of personality. Terrace opposite of church with nice view and sun in afternoon. No dogs allowed inside.
Polopocco
| Address | 2 Place porte de rouen, 14600 Honfleur |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM Tuesday: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM Thursday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM Friday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Phone | — |
Great bar with a good beer selection and they sell our favourite Polish vodka 😉. Good vibe and friendly staff.
Was showing the world cup matches, had good beer and variety of food/cocktails on the menu. Would go again for sure!
Best place to be in Honfleur ! Awesome cocktails - great bartenders ! Funny french songs !!
Nice cocktails on a busy terrace - kind of a tiki vibe - relatively inexpensive fruity concoctions
Cocktails and bites both really good👌🏼
Le Manoir Des Impressionnistes
| Address | 23 Rte de Trouville, 14600 Honfleur |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Phone | 02 31 81 63 00 |
This was probably one of my all-time favorite hotels to stay at on any vacation!
Staff were so wonderful, kind and friendly from the moment we walked through the door. Our room was spacious and clean - stocked with tea, coffee and extra fresh towels. The bed was SUPER comfortable too.
Breakfast was an amazing spread of pastries along with fresh coffee and local apple juice. The servers there are lovely and extremely sweet.
The building is so cool!! Super vintage, almost like a massive cottage on the water. Aesthetically one that can fit Snow White and ALL her Dwarves. Absolutely breathtaking.
Thank you for an incredibly memorable stay!
We loved our stay. Great location with views over the sea and lovely grounds , nice to have quiet at night away from Honfleur town hubbub but close by to town. All staff very welcoming. Fantastic dinner , my husband is still talking about the wonderful pork chop! We’d love to come back.
Everything about our stay at Les Manoirs des Impressionistes was amazing. The property is gorgeous and overlooks the English Channel. The manor house is a beautiful example of French architecture in the old world sense. Our room on the second floor (no elevator) was large and well appointed: very comfortable bed and pillows, a sitting area with table and chairs, a beautiful balcony again overlooking the English Channel. The bathroom was perfect with two sinks, a lighted makeup mirror, a hairdryer, and a walk-in shower. It was a little strange that the shower had no glass wall at the end so some water did get on the floor, but not a lot. They serve a typical European breakfast gratuit in a beautiful dining room:granola and yogurt, fresh applesauce, and apple juice from the area, French press, coffee, pastries, and fruit with butter and jelly. You could order eggs and bacon that was an extra charge, but we did not . They serve a gourmet dinner (extra charge) but we dined elsewhere. The staff couldn’t have been nicer. The location was great, only about a 20 minute walk on a paved walkway into town and maybe a 3–5 minute car ride.
We had a very bad start to our stay at this hotel which improved by the time we left.
We weren't particularly welcome by the person on reception who seemed to be surprised that we had turned up. He took photos of our passport information on his personal phone which seemed strange as we had been travelling in France without showing our passports to any other hotel. He took us to our room which looked fine until we checked the bedding which was water soaked through to the mattress. We immediately raised this with him and he reluctantly he summoned help and changed the sheets and duvet which apart from being wet had obviously seen better days. As we were fed up at this stage we said we would like a refund and go elsewhere but they couldn't agree to this so we stayed.
Whilst the hotel has plenty of character and a lovely garden it overlooks the harbour cranes of Le Havre and doesn't have air conditioning. The room safe isn't secure as it was unattached in the wardrobe. The standard breakfast does not include cooked items which are charged extra.
The saving grace was that all of the other staff were helpful and seemed to please but it is over priced and lacking in many ways.
disappointing experience for a supposed 5-star hotel. At around €450 per night with bed & breakfast charging extra for eggs at breakfast is unacceptable at this price point. To make matters worse, there was no air conditioning in the rooms, which made the stay very uncomfortable during summer time.no room service.For a hotel claiming to be 5-star, these shortcomings are hard to justify. I would not recommend it based on the value for money.
La Maison Du Tripot - Brunch/Lunch
| Address | 32 Rue de la Chaussée, 14600 Honfleur |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | 02 31 98 61 85 |
A perfect morning away from the crowds. The service was warm and friendly, with real attention to detail and quality. The food was authentic and full of flavour. The scrambled eggs were perfectly fluffy, and the jams and chocolate tasted homemade, with wonderfully pure and natural flavours. We even saw the fresh brioche coming straight out of the oven. A lovely place to start the day!
Cute little homemade brunch with great pastry and coffee, and great spot too!
The owner was very sweet. Definitely coming back here again.
Our morning at La Maison du Tripot in Honfleur turned into one of those rare breakfasts you don’t just eat – you remember.
The moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere embraced us: a small Norman house, warm light, and a real fireplace quietly burning in the corner. The gentle crackle of the logs created a calm, almost cinematic feeling, like waking up in a countryside novel. It was the kind of place where time slows down and you actually want to linger over every cup rather than rush out to sightseeing.
The tea was excellent – aromatic and comforting – but the true stars of the table were the homemade jams and confitures. Each jar tasted carefully prepared and full of character: rich fruit flavors, balanced sweetness, and that unmistakable homemade depth you rarely encounter even in very good hotels. Every bite felt thoughtful rather than routine.
Service deserves special mention. Our waiter, originally from Madagascar, was exceptionally kind and attentive without ever being intrusive. He brought warmth and personality to the experience, spoke with genuine friendliness, and made us feel welcomed rather than simply served. His care, small conversations, and attentive timing elevated the breakfast from pleasant to memorable.
A cozy room, a living fireplace, wonderful tea, remarkable preserves, and heartfelt hospitality — this was not just a good breakfast. It was a perfect Norman morning.
Dream breakfast! We took the savory one and it was very delicious. The tea collection is also incredible. Homemade pineapple jam is definitely one of the reasons to come back.
Only one place to have breakfast in Honfleur and that’s La Maison Du Tripot. It was fabulous. The range of items is incredible, bread, butter, three types of condiments (including chocolate), fruit yogurt, brioche, salmon/bacon, eggs (done anyway you like), fruit juice, tea/coffee/hot chocolate - all for 20 euros. Outstanding service, very cool owners. We loved this place and will definitely return again. Thank you x
L.A.B - Restaurant Brunch Honfleur
| Address | 22 Rue Cachin, 14600 Honfleur |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | 06 59 49 18 42 |
Omg. Just wow. We were absolutely starving after flying into paris and driving over and decided on the prefix lunch. What a treat that was. A little yogurt with a fruit jam and a biscuit to start with, along with a coffee product and a juice blend, followed by a dish with salad, savory biscuits, smoked turkey/salmon, eggs, potatoes. When we were in a food coma, they brought another sampler of 4 desserts. All absolutely delicious! This gem makes a trip to honfluer worth it in its own.
Loved everything about this place. I gave 4 stars because they really should have a totally separate menu for the items they serve at different times. I saw things I wanted but couldn’t get both time I went. The food was delicious and the croissants are perfection! The dish with sweet potato waffles was spectacular! See photo..
A must during your stay in Honfleur. We love the food, the service is always excellent, very kid friendly and there is a lovely atmosphere! Definitely order the pain perdu.
I have mixed feelings about this place. We arrived between breakfast and lunch. We were seated right away but it took us 10 mins to get a menu and then another 5 mins for a waitress to take our drink order and we didn't get our drinks for 25 mins after that. By this point, I was pretty mad. Eventually our food was brought out, and it was very good, so that made up for the wait slightly.
My recommendation would be to come here after 11 am. Anything before that is super slow and the menu is very minimal before that time. On a positive note, it's a very cute atmosphere, both inside and outside. The issue seemed to be a lack of staff. What appeared to be a husband and wife team, they were both very nice when they came by, but very elusive because it was just the two of them. Food was yummy.
Wonderful, very accommodating and had wonderful breakfasts. The chef was lovely to chat to and sorted my wife’s breakfast to cater for her gluten intolerance. Lovely style and ambience to the place as well.
Chez D.D.
| Address | 28 Rue Cachin, 14600 Honfleur |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Friday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM |
| Phone | 02 31 87 17 86 |
So glad that we found this wine bar !!! 🍷🧀
The owners were very friendly and their recommendations for the charcuterie board and wine pairing were spot on. The large photograph of the All Blacks rugby Haka was taken by the owner. Would certainly recommend this venue, there is also extra space upstairs with views of the church.
Really nice place to stop for an aperitivo or for a small dinner.
Owner is really nice and available. Nice selection of wines and charcuterie. Great video as well!
Adorable wine bar on a quiet picturesque street just steps away from the crowds. The owner is lovely. Extensive regional wine selection along with light snacks. My husband had champagne and some wine while I enjoyed Apple juice from Normandie. The walls are decorated with his and his wife’s photos (he was a sports photographer).
Highly recommend!
Very good wine bar worth a visit if you are in Honfleur! The staffs are super friendly and the shop owner she can recommend very good wine that you’d like - just tell her what kind of wine you like -dry / sweet and she will come with small amount for you to taste before give you a full glass so that you know for sure that you like it. We also ordered a cheese platter and it was delicious too!
Really helpful, let us taste the wine before we ordered. Beautiful little spot, it’s so cosy with only a couple tables
Tips for Enjoying Rooftop Cafes in Honfleur
To make the most of your elevated experience in this historic port, a little preparation goes a long way. The weather, the timing, and the local customs all play a significant role in how enjoyable your time on a terrace will be.
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Check the Weather and Wind: Honfleur is a coastal town, and the weather can change rapidly. Even on a sunny day, rooftop terraces can be breezy. Bring a light jacket or shawl, as the wind off the Seine estuary can make the temperature feel cooler than it is at street level.
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Time Your Visit with the Light: The golden hour just before sunset is magical in Honfleur. The fading light illuminates the slate roofs and the harbor with a warm glow. Arriving mid-to-late afternoon allows you to secure a good seat before the evening rush.
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Expect Stairs: The historic architecture of Honfleur means that elevators are a rarity in older buildings. Most rooftop terraces are accessed by climbing narrow, spiral staircases. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a bit of a climb to reach the view.
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Reserve Ahead for Larger Groups: Many of the best rooftop spaces are small and intimate, with limited seating. If you are traveling with family or a group of friends, it is wise to call ahead or book a table to avoid disappointment.
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Embrace the Local Cider: While coffee is a staple, Honfleur is in the heart of Normandy’s apple country. When on a terrace in the late afternoon, consider swapping your espresso for a local cidre or a pommeau to fully immerse yourself in the regional culture.
The beauty of Honfleur lies in its layers. By looking up and venturing above the street level, you unlock a quieter, more contemplative side of the city that many visitors miss.
Whether you spend an hour nursing a coffee or an entire evening watching the tide roll in, the memories made on these terraces are often the highlight of a trip to Normandy. Take your time, breathe in the sea air, and enjoy the view from the top.
