Local cuisine to try around the Tropicana: our favorite places

Between two swims or a nap in the shade of the pine trees, you feel that sweet and familiar desire: that of sharing a good, typically local meal .

Not a classic seaside restaurant, nor a copy-pasted menu from elsewhere.

No.

What you’re looking for is real local cuisine in Vendée . The kind with flavor, a story, and a sweet or savory accent depending on the time of day.

And that’s a good thing: the area around Saint-Jean-de-Monts is full of culinary treasures that smell of mogette, brioche and fresh fish.

Whether they’re on the menu of a small restaurant, in a basket at the market, or prepared in your mobile home, these dishes tell the story of the Vendée coast better than any postcard.

The Tropicana, your 5-star campsite in Saint-Jean-de-Monts , takes you on a journey of discovery to its favorite places to devour… literally.

>>> I reserve a table at the campsite bar-restaurant to enjoy local specialties

The Vendée markets: where it all begins

It is impossible to talk about local cuisine in Vendée without starting with the beating heart of each village: the local market .

And the one in Saint-Jean-de-Monts , on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, is well worth the detour.

Under the market halls, you will find ultra-fresh fish , local vegetables and the famous Vendée préfou , a baguette filled with garlic and butter, to be enjoyed while still warm.

Artisan cheesemakers share their expertise, while producers sell local Vendée products with a warm accent and a smile.

In Noirmoutier, on Fridays, it’s time for new potatoes , perfectly crispy, and homemade shortbread biscuits .

Everything you need to cook up a home-cooked dinner in your mobile home , with a luxury picnic atmosphere on the terrace.

Vendée dishes that rhyme with summer

When the sun is beating down and the air smells of sea spray, nothing beats a simple, local meal, full of flavor.

Local cuisine in Vendée is also experienced on the plate, fresh and friendly.

Here are some typical Vendée dishes that are a hit under the pine trees:

• Vendée salad , a rustic mix of cabbage, ham, comté cheese and warm potatoes , all topped with a mustard vinaigrette.
• Grilled sardines from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie , accompanied by melting Vendée mogette .
• For dessert? A nice slice of Vendée cake , this wonderfully soft brioche, often flavored with orange blossom.

You don’t need Michelin stars to enjoy yourself. Here, the food speaks the truth, and it feels good.

Restaurants in Saint-Jean-de-Monts that hit the mark

Want to get your feet wet?

You’ve come to the right place: restaurants in Saint-Jean-de-Monts are competing with each other to showcase Vendée gastronomy .

At La Quich’Notte , we welcome you to a traditional bourrine , with a menu that breathes the marsh and the sea.

On the menu: parsleyed eels , duck liver, and homemade desserts with seasonal fruits.

At Bastien’s , you can enjoy fine dishes with local accents, in a warm and chic atmosphere.

And for a more relaxed dinner, 20 Six showcases gourmet addresses in Vendée , including homemade burgers, local beers and sharing platters.

It’s the perfect place to talk about life with friends or family, with a drink in hand.

Also read. 5 things to see absolutely on Ile d’Yeu

Flavors of the sea: the culinary identity of the coast

Here, the sea doesn’t just rock the beaches: it nourishes the plates. And seafood cuisine in Vendée is a true iodine poem.

At La Langoust’in , we serve you freshly caught langoustines , Bouin oysters , whelks and other wonders of the sea.

All accompanied by a small glass of white wine, with your feet almost in the sand.

In more family-friendly restaurants, don’t miss the Vendée chowder , this generous soup of fish and shellfish in cream.

A dish that fills you up, while also reflecting the maritime tradition of this region.

And if you go to a market or a local caterer, remember to bring back a little of this sea in your suitcases: mackerel rillettes , artisanal soups, or Noirmoutier salt.

>>> I discover the wellness area with sauna, hammam and jacuzzi for gentle digestion