Seafront dining in Calais
Au Côte d’Argent in Calais: is it worth booking?
Au Côte d’Argent is a traditional fish and seafood restaurant overlooking Calais Beach. For British visitors, its main appeal is the combination of a proper French meal, Channel views and easy parking. It can be an excellent stop before or after a crossing, provided you have enough time and reserve ahead.
Last checked: September 2026
What kind of restaurant is it?
Au Côte d’Argent is a family-run-style French restaurant specialising in fish, shellfish and traditional dishes. It occupies a prominent position on the seafront, close to Calais Beach and the Dragon of Calais.
This is a conventional sit-down restaurant rather than a casual beach café. Expect table service and a meal that takes time, particularly if you order several courses.
The sea view is a genuine reason to visit
The location is the restaurant’s clearest advantage. Its dining room has panoramic views across Calais Beach and the Channel. According to the restaurant, all tables have a sea view, although window tables are allocated first to early reservations.
On a clear day you may be able to see the English coast. Even in less impressive weather, watching the ferries enter and leave Calais gives the meal a direct connection to your journey.
The restaurant also has a covered terrace, although its use will naturally depend on the weather.
What is on the menu?
Fish and seafood are the main reasons to eat here. The restaurant says it works with products from local producers and fishers, although the exact selection can change.
Recent dishes listed on the restaurant’s own menu included:
- Seafood platters
- Sole meunière
- Turbot with a lemon sauce
- Whole Calais lobster with sauce américaine
- Whelks and other shellfish
- Beef fillet and other meat alternatives
This is therefore not exclusively a seafood restaurant, but visitors who do not eat fish will have a smaller choice.
How expensive is Au Côte d’Argent?
Au Côte d’Argent is more expensive than a casual brasserie or friterie, particularly if you order lobster, a seafood platter or a large sole.
When checked in September 2026, its official menu showed options ranging from a lower-priced weekday lunch formula to more extensive set menus. Individual fish and seafood dishes generally occupied the higher end of the menu.
The restaurant’s weekday lunch menu can represent better value, but some formulas are unavailable on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
View the current à la carte selection and set menus before deciding.
Is it suitable for British families?
The easy parking and beachfront location make it a practical family choice. Children can walk on the beach or see the Dragon of Calais before or after the meal.
However, the restaurant is better suited to children who are comfortable with a longer sit-down lunch. Families needing a very quick meal or several familiar food choices may find Cité Europe easier.
Ask about the current children’s menu when booking, particularly if your child has a limited range of preferred foods.
Can vegetarians eat here?
The restaurant’s identity and menu are strongly focused on fish, seafood and meat. A vegetarian meal may be possible, but it should not be assumed that there will be a broad choice.
Contact the restaurant before booking if anyone in your group is vegetarian, vegan or has a serious food allergy.
Combining lunch with Calais Beach
Au Côte d’Argent works particularly well as part of a short seafront visit. You could park near the restaurant, take a walk along the promenade, see the Dragon of Calais and then have lunch overlooking the beach.
Read our Calais Beach and seafront guide to see what else is nearby.
This combination is realistic within our two-to-four-hour Calais itinerary, provided your crossing times leave a proper margin.
Visiting after arriving by ferry
The restaurant is on the opposite side of the central waterfront from the ferry terminal, but it remains a relatively short drive under normal conditions.
It is a good first destination after arriving because there is no immediate departure deadline. Set the restaurant’s full address in your navigation rather than simply following signs for central Calais.
After lunch, you can continue towards the Town Hall, Cité Europe or your onward motorway route.
Visiting after LeShuttle
From the LeShuttle terminal in Coquelles, you will need to drive past or around central Calais towards the beach. It is less convenient than eating at Cité Europe, but the setting is considerably more distinctive.
Choose Au Côte d’Argent when you have time to make Calais part of the day. If you only have an hour, remain around Coquelles and consult our Calais in one hour guide.
Eating here before returning to Britain
A meal before your crossing is possible, but only with a generous schedule. Do not base your timings purely on the drive from the restaurant to the terminal.
You also need time for:
- Completing the meal and requesting the bill
- Leaving the beachfront parking area
- Traffic or temporary road disruption
- Fuel or last-minute shopping
- Your operator’s check-in deadline
Check the Calais to Dover sailing schedule and then confirm the live departure information supplied by your operator.
Our before your Calais crossing guide explains how to plan a final stop without creating unnecessary stress.
Opening days
At the time of our September 2026 check, the restaurant stated that it was normally closed on Sunday evening, Monday and Tuesday.
Seasonal holidays and exceptional closures also occur. Never rely solely on these regular days when planning a special journey.
Check the current opening information directly with the restaurant.
Should you reserve?
Yes. Reserving is advisable if you want a weekend lunch, a window table or need the meal to fit around a crossing.
Window tables are not guaranteed, but booking early improves your chances because the restaurant says they are assigned to the first reservations.
You can reserve through the official Au Côte d’Argent website or call +33 3 21 34 68 07.
Practical information
Who should choose Au Côte d’Argent?
Choose this restaurant if you:
- Want seafood or traditional French fish dishes
- Prefer a sea view to shopping-centre convenience
- Have at least 90 minutes for the meal
- Want to combine lunch with Calais Beach
- Are happy to reserve and plan around fixed service hours
Choose somewhere else if you:
- Have less than an hour before check-in
- Need food outside conventional lunch or dinner hours
- Want an inexpensive or very casual meal
- Need a large selection of vegetarian or familiar children’s dishes
- Want to shop at Cité Europe immediately afterwards
Frequently asked questions
Is Au Côte d’Argent expensive?
It is a mid-range to expensive restaurant rather than a budget stop. Weekday lunch formulas can cost less, while lobster, seafood platters and large fish dishes are considerably more expensive.
Does every table have a sea view?
The restaurant states that all tables overlook the sea. Tables directly beside the windows are allocated first to early reservations.
Is there parking nearby?
Yes. One of the advantages of the seafront location is the availability of parking close to the restaurant.
Is the restaurant close to the ferry terminal?
It is a short drive from the port under normal conditions, but not inside the terminal area. Allow extra time for traffic, navigation and ferry check-in.
Can I eat here during a two-hour stop?
It may be possible after arriving in Calais, particularly with a reservation. Two hours immediately before a crossing is much tighter because the meal, drive and check-in all need to fit within that period.
Is it open on Sunday?
At our latest check, the restaurant opened for part of Sunday but closed on Sunday evening. Verify the current hours directly before travelling.
Menu items, prices and opening days were checked against the restaurant’s official website in September 2026. Confirm them directly when booking, especially if your meal needs to fit around a ferry or LeShuttle departure.