A few hours north of Paris, nested in the heart of Lille, is a quaint district known as Vieux-Lille. Full of cobbled lanes and beautiful architecture, Vieux-Lille is more than just a historic town. Unwind after a long day of sightseeing with a nice glass of wine and taste your way through these top picks in the area.
Estaminet Au Vieux De La Vieille
If you’re looking for dishes native to the Old Town district of Lille, Au Vieux De La Vieille is the place to dine. Mimicking the taverns of the early 20th century, the establishment embodies the historic charm of the ancient city. Enjoy typical Northern meals that stem from the Flemish culture. Nestled in a neighborhood surrounded by brick buildings, the tavern is easy to spot with its signature bright yellow sign leading to a quaint outdoor patio.
Tucked away in a quiet alley, this restaurant is a hidden treasure only known to the locals. With blue panelling and red umbrellas, Les Compagnons de la Grappe exudes a French ambiance that is only found in movies for most. When dining here, you are promised traditional Northern dishes from escargot to Flemish stew. Unwind in this neck of the city with a delightful glass of wine purchased from local vineyards.
L’Ile de Crète
Visiting Europe but don’t have time to make it to Greece? That’s alright, because L’Ile de Crète provides a wholesome Greek experience for every guest. There are singing and dancing performances by the staff and you can feast on absolutely anything Greek from the Chef’s special lamb, to baklava, to lemon shrimp soup. The friendly ambiance and kind staff will leave patrons longing for more, so make sure to come hungry. l’ile de Crete | Courtesy of l’ile de Crete
La Chicorée
Centrally located in Vieux-Lille, La Chicorée is a brewery that stands three floors tall, providing its guests with a wide range of dishes for any meal. Its doors are open almost all day, every day of the week, welcoming guests for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or simply a midnight glass of beer. For over a century now, locals have raved about the open ambiance, encouraging a good time. So grab a glass and make a toast!
A modern take on classical dishes, Le Oui is a contemporary dining experience in a historic location. Whether it is cured salmon or blue cheese dip, all the dishes here are created with a delicate touch. The romantic ambiance and French decor is ideal for a fine-dining experience.
Clair de Lune
Restaurant, French
Clair de Lune serves original French cuisine accompanied by jazz music. Serving food connoisseurs for over 10 years, the restaurant has a seasonal menu that provides only the freshest ingredients that are all grown locally.
If you are looking for coastal cuisine, L’Huîtrière is the place to dine. Known for its seafood delicacies and decadent wine, the restaurant brings the finest marine recipes to its guests. Customers get great bang for their buck too, with filling meals and great quality throughout. Revel in the art deco-style mosaics scattered throughout the establishment while feasting at the oyster bar.
La Dinette
Diner, Vegetarian, Vegan
Travel back in time to the days of elementary school as you walk into La Dinette. Adorned in bright colors from bright green walls to the sunny yellow tablecloths, the diner is unlike other burger joints. The eatery has a simple menu with only about 10 dishes. Known for its signature burgers, La Dinette serves exotic spins on normal fast food fare.
Tous Les Jours Dimanche
Restaurant, French
As the name implies, every day is Sunday here! Enjoy a light meal in this laid back restaurant, full of vintage couches, chairs and decorations. For a more fulfilling meal, feast on brunch any time of the week with freshly squeezed juice, fruit compote or waffles.