The Best Coffee Shops In Lille France

Lille is a city in the very north of France whose close proximity to Belgium, the Netherlands and the British Isles means it is a bustling metropolis where many cultures collide. You’ll find lots to do in the city, this 2004 Capital of Culture has many tourist attractions to offer. If you need to take a break, the city also has a wealth of cafes and coffee shops where you can recharge your batteries. Here are the top ten.

1. Coffee Makers

Coffee Shop, Coffee

If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee in the very heart of Lille, pay a visit to Coffee Makers, the central cafe with a real passion for quality coffee. Here, you can sample a variety of hot and cold drinks including various coffees made using their expertly sourced coffee beans, which are roasted on site. As well as great coffees, Coffee Makers offer teas, hot chocolates, cakes and a small selection of savory dishes, making this a great place to stop by for a snack at any time of the day.

2. Café Oz Lille

Bar, Cafe, Coffee

The Australian Bar and Queens Head, Lille, Nord, France

Le Café Oz may be more bar than cafe, but the lively, upbeat atmosphere that you’ll find here nevertheless makes it an appealing place to have a coffee with friends. The Australian-inspired decor (watch out for the surfboards, crocodiles, didgeridoos and aborigine artwork adorning the walls) makes the place feel cozy, and in the summer months, the large outdoor terrace is a perfect spot for a pick-me-up in good company. Stick around after the sun has gone down and try some of Le Café Oz’s carefully sourced beers and unique cocktails.

3. Joe Tex Café

Cafe, Coffee

Just around the corner from Lille’s impressive Notre-Dame de la Treille cathedral is Joe Tex Café, another of Lille’s great spots for a caffeine fix. Come for a coffee in the cozy back room, filled with comfortable armchairs and, if you’re hungry, try one of the small savory snacks, served all day. This is also a great place to visit if you’re a fan of jazz, soul or funk music; Joe Tex Café hosts special evenings dedicated to different styles of music which are not to be missed, and there are vintage posters and old concert tickets decorating the two rooms.

5. Notting Hill Coffee

Cafe, Coffee

Notting Hill Coffee on rue Esquermoise, the first of five to have opened in the city, is located in Vieux-Lille. Here, the friendly baristas are all passionate about great coffee and you’ll be able to choose from a wide selection of delicious drinks, whether that’s a simple espresso or a latte, cappuccino, mocha or macchiato. Notting Hill Coffee also offer a large range of teas and hot chocolates, but if it’s a cold drink that you’re after, try the cafe’s famous Frappécream, which you can have with coffee, milk or fruit. The cafe’s sweet and savory snacks, made fresh on site everyday, also make a great accompaniment to your drink.

6. L'Imaginaire

Bar, Bistro, Brasserie, Cafe, Pub Grub

Just a stone’s throw away from the Café Oz is L’Imaginaire, a bar-bistro where you can get a great cup of coffee. The cafe opens from morning until night and you can come for lunch, dinner or just for dinks. L’Imaginaire is housed is a charming building typical of the Old Town and, from the outside, it looks a lot smaller than it actually is. Behind the cafe proper is L’Imaginaire’s terrace, definitely one of the best things about the place. The huge outdoor seating area has spectacular views of the city’s cathedral and is an ideal spot to sit with a coffee on warm afternoons.

7. Le Café Citoyen

Bar, Cafe, Pub Grub

Le Café Citoyen is a popular spot for both tourists and Lille locals for a cup of coffee at any time of the day. The cafe, which also stocks regional beers and other artisanal drinks, is open from early until late and you can be sure of a warm welcome whenever you come. On weekdays, Le Café Citoyen opens at 7:30am, making it a perfect place for early risers to grab the first coffee of the day. We also recommend checking the menu while you’re here – the food is fresh and flavorsome and everything is made on site using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

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