The Best Restaurants in Amiens, France

La Maison à Vapeur takes its name from a novel by Jules Verne, the prolific French writer who made Amiens his adopted home. The restaurant pays tribute to the late author through a menu of French classics like entrecôte and beef tartare (though, in a surprise twist, they also offer a vegan burger). Found just steps away from the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Notre-Dame Cathedral, you can either perch yourself on their front terrace or in their Verne-themed dining room.

Miam’s light and fresh menu is perfect for lunch or for when you don’t feel like committing to a multi-course meal. Seated in its cosy and modern café, choose from a variety of warm wraps and sandwiches, colourful salads, topped toasts and house-made desserts. Though not an exclusively vegetarian restaurant, the meat-adverse will not be hard-pressed to find something suitable here.

For a break from French food, head to Isakaya for fresh sashimi, crispy tempura and other mouth-watering Japanese bites. The sleek and zen interior creates the ideal atmosphere to tuck into the best sushi in the city, and though it’s within walking distance from the city centre, its location just outside the core and away from the cathedral make this a real local’s haunt.

Lauded by the Michelin guide as a top spot in Amiens for a creative and gastronomic dining experience, make a reservation at Les Orfèvres for a first-class meal. Michelin-starred chef Frédéric Barette shared his talents at celebrated addresses in Paris before returning to his home region of Picardy to head the kitchen of this elegant restaurant. A refined and minimalist dining room allows for the emphasis to be placed on the expertly-plated dishes, which come served like true works of art. If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for their ‘carte blanche‘ menu; ranging from three to eight courses, you can let the chef take the reigns in crafting a surprise menu for the whole table.

Amiens’ proximity to the ocean makes it a prime place to indulge in fresh plates of seafood, and at Le Vivier, you can do just that. The spirit of the sea is felt through the restaurant’s tasteful decor with hues of blue and grey and porthole windows on its doors. There’s also a sun-drenched terrace, where you can eat al fresco, or a bright, plant-filled atrium with floor to ceiling windows. While the specialties rotate and depend on what’s in season, past features have included foie gras served with noix de Saint-Jacques (a scallop served in its shell), a lobster millefeuille and a langoustine risotto.