What to Eat in Dieppe?

1. Oysters

If there's one thing you should know about Dieppe, as well as the surrounding towns, it's that the oysters caught in the region are often the big stars in fish markets. Moreover, if you go to a restaurant, it's quite likely that the famous oysters will be at the top of the menu, even as the dish of the day. Much appreciated with a small glass of white wine, they are consumed for their thick flesh and intense taste. Furthermore, eating oysters can improve joint health, lower blood pressure, and even reduce the risk of cancer. Go for it!

2. Marmite Dieppoise

Attention all pescatarians, know that you've come to the right place. The Norman terroir specializes in seafood specialties. Thus, everything related to fish, crustaceans, mollusks, lean meats... This is where you'll find your happiness. The marmite dieppoise is the perfect example. It's a bouillabaisse of fish and crustaceans, wrapped in a supplement of fresh cream. Do you like prawns? Scallops, or even langoustines? Come fill your belly for a king's feast.

3. Apple Caramel

Dieppe apple caramel is cooked with ingredients that are just as delicious as each other. To make this refined sweet-tasting dish, sweet or salted butter, apple compote, and finally a few good spoonfuls of crystal sugar (similar to gold nuggets) are used. In the city of Dieppe, you'll be able to find apple caramel absolutely everywhere, in different flavors and several jar sizes (perfect for bringing home as souvenirs), the Dieppe locals are proud of it. You know, it's a bit like THE sweet spread that you must have in your cupboard in the region. Know that, just from the first bite, you won't want to spread anything else on your toast, or your crepe, or your waffle.

4. Scallops

We briefly mentioned this earlier. Scallops are another delicacy of Dieppe cuisine. Another treasure from the sea. It's a quality product that pairs perfectly in a good plate of pasta, with vegetables, or accompanied by other seafood. To taste this mollusk in the best period, that is, when fishing is most interesting, you'll need to plan your stay in early October. There, you can taste a fresh, quality product whose tender flesh gently caresses your palate. This protein source is also rich in omega-3, it's an important nutritious food for iron health.

5. Lisette à la Dieppoise

Here's a dish that can be served as much as an appetizer or as a main course. For those who wonder what lisettes are? They are actually the Norman version of marinated mackerel. A marinade carefully prepared with cider, carrot pieces, vinegar, bouquet garni, and finely sliced onions. It's the kind of dish that makes you salivate, just by smelling the lisettes mixed with all the aromatics. The best is to accompany this meal with a potato salad. The foods go very well together and will surely leave you with a memorable memory of the city of Dieppe.

6. Salt Meadow Lamb

In Normandy, if there's a dish that's popular, it's the Norman-style salt meadow lamb. Dieppe loves seafood certainly, but the carnivores of the city equally adore this dish, cooked with lambs raised on salt pastures located by the sea. Hence their tender and salty taste in the mouth... This superior quality meat is often served in restaurants and highly prized by chefs, who can prepare it in different versions, thus varying the recipe. Not to mention that it's a much less caloric dish than one might think, since it has a low fat content. Accompanied by a good plate of hot vegetables, it will be succulent and balanced!

7. Sole

Do you like fish? Let's set aside those we all know: tuna, salmon, sardine... And let's now tackle the famous Norman sole, regularly nicknamed "the beautiful Norman sole". A steamed fish with cream, with a little cider. It's a classic of French cuisine, first named in the mythical work of French chef Antonin Carême, "The Art of French Cuisine in the 19th Century". Since then, this dish has been unanimous in Normandy, including the Dieppe region, surrounding towns, and much more... Little tip during cooking, to better know if the sole is cooked: think to check if the fillets gradually detach from the main bone.

8. Frênette

But what is this? It's not a sweet delicacy, and even less a savory dish. Frênette is a sparkling drink, with low alcohol content (about 3.5°). Also called "ash cider", its yellow color attracts the eye, and is obtained thanks to the maceration of oak leaves. This nectar has an apple taste, and is drunk well chilled. It's perfect as an aperitif, or during the afternoon in summer. Many also like to drink it during the meal. The preparation is done in several stages. The most important thing is however to let the fermentation take place (for a unique taste) in a cellar for several weeks. Nothing better than a good bottle of frênette as a souvenir from Normandy!

9. Norman-Style Crepe

If there's one thing Normandy excels at, it's certainly in the preparation of the famous crepes, which each time are unanimous among visitors. You're certainly wondering, what are the particularities of Norman crepes? We're used to adding a few good spoonfuls of buckwheat. Their soft and smooth texture is enough to make our stomach swoon. The batter being cooked with quality and fresh ingredients, it has a unique flavor. We can also add a supplement such as an intoxicating scent, like cinnamon or vanilla. A delight...

10. Milk Jam

We end this ranking beautifully, with the delicious milk jam, which pleases young and old alike. It's a particularly creamy and thick cream, even heavy, with a beautiful golden color. It's kept in glass jars, and is made exclusively from milk, as well as crystallized sugar. It can be spread on bread, a crepe (of course), or a brioche, or even a rusk. Milk jam comes from the dairy countryside of Normandy, Brittany, Savoy, and Picardy. It's an old recipe intended to comfort the hearts of peasants, which quickly spread throughout Europe.