Joel’s guidebook

As a small island famous for its food, Jersey’s bursting with flavour from abundant local produce and rich creamy milk to seafood straight from the island’s clear waters. From beach cafes to chic restaurants, farm stalls to village delis, Jersey is packed with amazing eating experiences to add an authentic local flavour to your stay. Just bring a healthy appetite. There are three Big 4 varities of Jersey Produce that you should try: JERSEY ROYALS In Jersey one of the largest tides in the world nourishes the land with rich marine minerals. It’s why our Jersey Royals have a unique flavour. Taste them in the only place they’re grown. LOBSTER The currents that orbit Jersey bring shellfish, crab and lobster close to our shores. So when you see lobster on a Jersey menu, you can be sure it’s locally caught. OYSTERS Discover local oysters cultivated in the oyster beds fed by the shallow waters of the bay of Grouville, with a castle as a backdrop. Best eaten with a view of the sea. Jersey has the third largest tidal range in the world, which means that the island is lucky enough to be blessed with the perfect environment to harvest oysters. With a daily influx of some of the cleanest sea water in Europe, the Royal Bay of Grouville is host to Jersey’s Oyster farms. There are plenty of places island wide for all you oyster lovers, to enjoy the unique taste of the Jersey Oyster! So why are Jersey Oysters so special? Oysters take their flavour from the environment they’re grown in. Jersey has the third largest tidal range in the world, which means that Jersey grown oysters benefit directly from the daily natural filtering effect of Jersey’s unique tides and crystal clear waters, and enjoy the high flow of nutrient clean water. Growing in this kind of environment gives our Jersey Oysters their unique delicate, fresh and salty flavour. What kind of oysters grow in Jersey? When we eat oysters we often eat ‘Pacifics’, otherwise known as rocks. Jersey is fortunate to farm both the larger, heavier, rougher rock oysters available year round as well the very rare, smaller, lighter, smoother shell native oyster only available from September to April. The best time to eat the first native of the season is in November. Why not taste them yourself? JERSEY COWS: Explore Jersey’s countryside and you won’t be able to miss the iconic Jersey cow. Famous for their rich creamy milk, treat yourself to Jersey cream, locally-made cheese and ice-cream while you’re here. The purebred Jersey cow has been a feature of the landscape for more than 200 years, and while you may see the familiar golden coat of a Jersey in countries across the world, every Jersey cow’s ancestry can be traced back to the original Jersey Herd Book, founded in 1863 by the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society. As well as being one of the most friendly breeds, Jersey cows are famous for their high quality rich and creamy milk - naturally high in butter fat - which is used to produce an amazing range of Jersey dairy products from butter and ice-cream to yoghurt, clotted cream and cheese. Don’t miss the experience of trying Jersey milk products in the island famous for its cows - you’ll have plenty of choice from creamy Jersey milk in your tea or coffee to Jersey Dairy ice-cream. Jersey Dairy is the producer-owned co-operative that collects and markets the island’s Jersey milk, and was the first dairy in the British Isles to receive the prestigious international ISO 9001 award. There are now more than 30 herds of Jersey cows across the island, with an estimated 3,000 cows. RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATION Choosing a restaurant in Jersey can be a daunting experience as you are spoilt for choice. To make your experience much easier, I have hereby listed some of the best restaurants around the Island by Parish and I think to make your Jersey Experience that worth while I have also listed the best time of day to experience the fare [Breakfast, Lunch, Evening dinner] as well as the cost indication with £ being cheap and £££ being at the top end. A * indicates the restaurant is a favourite of mine! I hope you will get to try some if not all of them during your stay in Jersey.   St Helier St Helier at lunch time can be very busy especially with the Finance and Legal office workers out and about entertaining their clients. But that means the Parish does some amazing food. If the weather is good, why not grab a sandwich or baguette at any of the brasseries and head to Liberation or the Royal Square and watch the crowds – [£]?. The Options are great and ALL fast food brasseries offer Fresh healthy take-aways. If however you prefer Great sit-down restaurants, try either -No. 10 at Bond Street (Near St Helier town church): this is a very small restaurant by Jersey standards and happens to be arguably St Heliers best kept secret. The food is amazing- The pork belly is utterly wonderful! -Banjos by Fish Market ££. A great restaurant with great service, Try the Tomahawk rib. For a quick lunch try the brasserie bar at the back of the restaurant that also happens to have a great bar. -Soy * – a great see food restaurant by Hackett Place - ££. One of the few sushi places in Jersey. Located at Hacket place, opposite the cows, Soy is a greet meeting point and offers both cold and hot fish menus. For something extra special, try either: -Samphire – A Michellin Star Restaurant at Centre of Town £££ -Bohemia at Club Hotel- A Michellin Star Restaurant at Centre of Town £££ -Tassili at Grand Jersey - A Michellin Star Restaurant at Centre of Town £££* For an evening sundowner head to Radisson Blu* [££], sited prominently by the Elizabeth Castle and recently renovated at a great cost, they do great cocktails, try their Tapas, and enjoy the live music and then take a walk by the Marina! It is more than likely there is a wedding or two happening here, so if its too busy to your liking, then head towards Castle Quay and seek out Tiffins restaurant [££], that has a better vibe, great sea food and wonderful harbour views.   St Aubin From St Helier, head out West hugging the shoreline, St Aubin welcomes you with the open embrace of a quaint sea-side village. Just before St Aubin town is Mark Jordan at the Beach, a rustic fine dining restaurant with great food at great prices. Mark (pictured at first page) has held a Michellin Star for a while but given the location of the restaurant is midway between St Helier and St Aubin (5 mins walk to St Aubin), I will give it a skip and head to St Aubin proper, where you will be spoilt for choice, however this is a very difficult choice so you may prefer to eat here and then drive out to St Aubin- up to you! Firm favourites are: -Boathouse [££] for breakfast or evening drinks- food is great but I like this restaurant for the location, so grab a beer or a glass of wine and order some light bar food -For some great food I will park the car by boathouse and take a walk a long the harbour heading West, all the way to the Old Courthouse [££]! But feel free to stop at any restaurants along the route if they have space, you wont be disappointed! St Brelade: After St Aubin, head West towards, Portelet Bay, if the weather is great, seek out Portelet Beach, there is a great Pizza restaurant at the most idyllic beach in Jersey, however be warned the walk-up from the restaurant is not for the glutton or the unfit.. but venture down and you will be amazed! I come here for the turquoise beach and the Jersey ice cream [£] If however you prefer an easy amble at the promenade, then continue driving West towards St Brelades Bay and if you are here for the food, then head to: -Oyster Box [£££] or CrabShack [££]* -Or why not try Pizza at Pizza Express, the only Seaside Pizza Express!! Otherwise St Brelades is the most sheltered of Jersey Beaches so remember to pack your sunscreen lotion and enjoy the beach! Beauport Beach is a short walk from St Brelades church, however it’s a steep walk down a number of steps, so only venture here if you are fit. It’s a most pleasant beach and given the lack of facilities here its very private and is the most welcoming. Expect to meet the Yachting-set who tend to be deposited here from their yachts straight on the pristine beaches. St Ouen From St Brelade Head West towards Corbiere, the biggest attraction here is the Lighthouse, stop by the Ice-cream van, order the Jersey Soft Ice-cream and go exploring, but beware of the resident Sea Gull- he loves his ice-cream! After a visit to the Light house, drive Northwards toward St Ouen Bay, where you will find the Atlantic, a Michellin Starred restaurant. Notable for its seafood, golf and great sea views. Le Braye [£] Restaurant is a Jersey favourite, however I prefer to drive North towards EL-tico*[£] for its great atmosphere and great food at descent prices. Note EL-tico can be quiet busy on weekends, as it’s a surfers favourite, so aim to be here just before 9am if you are down for breakfast, 12 for early lunch or just before 5pm for early dinner, its normal to wait for 30 mins or so, order the local craft beer while you wait and enjoy the views. From El-tico, drive back towards Le-Braye and park by Les Blanches Banques, walk to the Sand dunes and burn off those calories! Kids love the place, so are adults. If you come in the evening, don’t forget to bring a bottle of wine and picnic basket make sure to stay enjoy the wonderful sunset! From Les Blanches, drive back towards Eltico and proceed Eastwards towards Jersey Pearl.. there is a great restaurant her [£], enjoy your tea while shopping for Pearls. As you head out Eastwards from Jersey Pearl, you may be tempted to take an immediate left at Rue Des Pres, then take a left at la Verte Rue there is a very nice beach here. From here head East towards Plemont; the beach café only takes cash so make sure you have enough chage. Time it right when the tides are low and you will be rewarded with the best kept secret in Jersey - but there is a hint in the pictures below.   St Marie Leave St Ouen, and head inland towards St Marie (St Mary for you); St Mary has got a few interesting restaurants. First you may want to tarry at St Mary’s Inn, an outstanding gastropub for a pint or two, before venturing towards Greve De Leck towards Coleens Cafe for some Moules a marinier.. but being on the East you need to be here before lunch time due to early sun-set at around 4Pm or 6PM in Summer. From here drive towards La Mere Wine Estate and then make a bee line towards Devils Hole In summer it’s a great idea to take the cliffwalk from Devils Hole towards Sorel Point and then onwards to Bonne Nuit; It takes me around 3hrs on a good pace. However as we want to maximise our foodie tour, I recommend for now we take a lovely drive towards Bonne Nuit café* [£] where I would very much recommend your try the Fishermans Soup- I prefer mine medium spicy!   St Martin After a heart-warming Soup at Bonne Nuit, continue your drive towards Bouley Bay, and then make a Detour to the Jersey Zoo for a picnic in the wild. From the Zoo there are two options if you are hungry and depending on how tired your are; so I would recommend you drive towards Rozel if you have the energy and wouldn’t mind a bugger at the beach. Rozel has a very quaint sea-side fill and being on the far end of the Island has a very wonderful beach which even at Summer feels very private, Leave Rozel and head East towards St Catherines Breakwater for a nice stroll. Before driving down to Gorey at Grouville   Grouville Gorey is a wonderful seaside village and is best explored in the morning or later afternoon/early evening. Parking here can be a challenge however be patient and sure enough a space will open up. I would recommend either Starting breakfast at Sumas* [££] or Feast [££] and then exploring the village and Mont Orgueil Castle. If you come in the evening, try Sumas for the wonderful Sea Food.   St Clement As you head back towards St Helier, stop at Saumares Manor to take in the Botanic Gardens and the wonderful Japanese Gardens, one of the two renown Japanese gardens in Jersey, the other being a Private Garden at St Lawrence (former home of the De-Gruchy Family). Head home, freshen up and the finish your Gastronomic Tour at Loungeville Manor, NB: Please note most Jersey restaurants tend to be very busy and you are well advised to book in advance. To do so go to https://www.jersey.com/eat-and-drink Or if you cant be bothered and prefer a takeway go to https://www.food.je/ For More information including additional information, please visit https://www.jersey.com/ HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL STAY!!