Pourquoi Pas

Who this place suits

With family

4/10

As a couple

10/10

With friends

8/10

Solo

5/10

With a dog

5/10

Reduced mobility

8/10

These scores are calculated from what the page records: official rating, facilities, difficulty, duration and location. They are a guide, not a substitute for contacting the venue, especially about accessibility.

About

In the Castelbrac hotel in Dinard, Pourquoi Pas serves Julien Hennote’s Michelin-starred cuisine facing the bay of Saint-Malo. The former Dinard natural history museum setting, art deco spaces and the belvedere view accompany gastronomy devoted to the seafood of the Emerald Coast. Pourquoi Pas has a prime position within Castelbrac, with views over the Rance estuary and Saint-Malo. The belvedere terrace and art deco lines create a very special atmosphere. The building was once part of the Dinard natural history museum, another detail that sets it apart from classic seaside hotels. For an important occasion, ask for a table with a view when booking, without assuming it will be available. Chef Julien Hennote creates refined cooking around coastal produce, with a strong focus on fish and crustaceans. He favours a thoughtful approach to local produce, attentive to the nature of the ingredients. The sophistication lies in the cooking, the jus and the progression of the courses rather than in a display of luxury products. The official website states that the menus cannot be adapted for diets without seafood, fish and crustaceans. This is not a minor detail: it should guide your choice of restaurant before you even book. Someone who eats no seafood should not expect a meat or vegetable alternative to be improvised. For any severe allergy, get a detailed confirmation from the restaurant. In Dinard, the light and tides transform the landscape. Lunch can show off the movements of the bay, while dinner brings other shades over the coast and Saint-Malo. The weather decides whether the terrace and belvedere can be used, so an outdoor table or a specific seat is never guaranteed. Castelbrac brings together several experiences, but they are not automatically included in the same booking. The Aquarium bar has a different pace, with drinks and plates for an aperitif. The hotel rooms have their own availability. For a birthday evening with a night on site and a gastronomic dinner, coordinate each booking explicitly. The restaurant opens by reservation, with services from Wednesday evening to Sunday evening during a period published for 2026. It also announces annual holidays in January and February 2027. Lunch and dinner times are set, which matters if you are coming from a visit to Saint-Malo. The Clair de Lune promenade, the harbour and Dinard’s viewpoints are lovely additions to the meal. A walk before service lets you enjoy the place and arrive calmly. A boat crossing to Saint-Malo, however, must be planned around the timetable and the season.

What you will see

• Cuisine: very seafood-focused starred cuisine, Emerald Coast produce, fish and crustaceans.
• Chef: Julien Hennote, with one Michelin star confirmed in 2026.
• Views over the bay of Saint-Malo and Le Prieuré beach.
• The restaurant occupies the former site of a natural history museum, with art deco architecture and a belvedere terrace.
• Important: the menus cannot be adapted for a diet without fish, crustaceans and seafood.
• Service by reservation only.

Practical information

Address

17 avenue George-V, Castelbrac hotel, 35800 Dinard

Nearby

The Clair de Lune promenade, Le Prieuré beach, the Pointe du Moulinet, Dinard harbour, the bay of Saint-Malo

Frequently asked questions

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