Food has always been my compass when I travel. While cathedrals and museums inspire awe, it’s the restaurants — the conversations, the aromas, the plates placed in front of me — that carve the deepest memories. Amiens, tucked in the Picardy region of northern France, may not scream “culinary capital” like Paris or Lyon, but trust me when I say this: eating in Amiens can be a revelation.
During my last stay, I gave myself permission to indulge fully in Amiens’ dining scene. I ate, I lingered, I asked questions, and yes — I sometimes ordered more than I should have, simply because I couldn’t resist. Below, I’ll walk you through five restaurants that left an unforgettable impression on me. Each place is real, each dish authentic, and each memory stamped with my personal taste.
I’ll also share practical details: signature dishes, prices, exact locations, reservation platforms, and insider notes about what you should know before sitting down.
- Les Orfèvres
• Address: 12 Place Parmentier, 80000 Amiens
• Atmosphere: Elegant yet warm, with cream-colored walls, soft lighting, and an understated luxury that doesn’t feel intimidating.
I chose Les Orfèvres for my first night in Amiens. After walking around the illuminated façade of the cathedral, I slipped into this restaurant just a short stroll away. The menu here is French gastronomy at its finest, but with a touch of modernity.
Signature Dish I Tried:
• Filet de Boeuf Picard (local beef filet) served with seasonal vegetables and a red wine reduction — €28.
The beef was tender enough to cut with the side of my fork, and the sauce had that perfect balance of richness and acidity.
Other Highlights:
• Starter: Foie gras maison with toasted brioche — €16.
• Dessert: Moelleux au chocolat with a molten heart — €10.
Service Experience: The staff treated me like a regular, even though it was my first visit. They explained each dish, offered wine pairings, and never once made me feel rushed.
Pros: Central location, refined dining, great wine list.
Cons: Slightly pricier, not ideal for budget travelers.
Booking: I reserved on TheFork (LaFourchette.fr) and got a 20% discount on the à la carte menu.
- L’Improviste
• Address: 21 Rue Flatters, 80000 Amiens
• Atmosphere: Quirky, artistic, with a creative spirit. The walls were decorated with modern art, and the vibe felt bohemian yet professional.
This was my “adventure night.” I’d heard that L’Improviste changes its menu often, using local seasonal ingredients to improvise (hence the name).
Signature Dish I Tried:
• Magret de canard au miel et épices (duck breast with honey and spices) — €24.
The meat was rosy pink, perfectly seared, with a glaze that danced between sweet and spicy. I could have licked the plate clean.
Other Highlights:
• Starter: Velouté de potimarron (pumpkin soup) — €9.
• Dessert: Tarte Tatin served upside down, caramelized just right — €8.
Service Experience: The waiter cracked jokes, the chef came out to ask if we enjoyed the food, and the energy was contagious.
Pros: Inventive menu, cozy setting, fair prices.
Cons: Limited seats; book early.
Booking: I booked directly by phone, but they also list on Tripadvisor for reservations.
- Brasserie Jules
• Address: 18 Boulevard Alsace Lorraine, 80000 Amiens
• Atmosphere: Classic French brasserie style, buzzing with locals and travelers alike.
Brasserie Jules is where I went for a hearty lunch, and oh, what a lunch it was! Amiens, being in northern France, leans heavily on seafood as well as traditional hearty fare.
Signature Dish I Tried:
• Plateau de Fruits de Mer (seafood platter) — €42 for one, €78 for two.
Towering with oysters, mussels, shrimp, and crab, this platter could easily be shared. I decided to tackle one solo (probably ambitious), and it was an unforgettable indulgence.
Other Highlights:
• Starter: Terrine de campagne maison — €7.
• Dessert: Crème brûlée with a perfect sugar crack — €9.
Service Experience: Efficient, bustling, but still personal. The waiter recommended a Muscadet wine that paired beautifully with my seafood.
Pros: Generous portions, authentic brasserie feel, open late.
Cons: Can be noisy during peak hours.
Booking: I booked via LaFourchette; walk-ins possible for lunch.
- Le Quai
• Address: 1 Quai Bélu, 80000 Amiens
• Atmosphere: Romantic riverside setting, with a view of the Somme and the colorful Saint-Leu district.
This was my “date with Amiens.” Dining by the river in Saint-Leu is an experience in itself, and Le Quai delivers both ambiance and quality cuisine.
Signature Dish I Tried:
• Filet de sandre au beurre blanc (pike-perch with white butter sauce) — €22.
Delicate, flaky fish with a sauce so good I wanted to mop it up with bread. The setting sun glinting off the water made it almost cinematic.
Other Highlights:
• Starter: Escargots de Bourgogne (snails) — €12.
• Dessert: Mille-feuille maison — €10.
Service Experience: Relaxed but attentive. My server recommended a local white wine from Picardy that elevated the fish dish.
Pros: Stunning riverside views, great seafood.
Cons: Gets chilly at night outdoors; bring a jacket.
Booking: Easy to reserve via Tripadvisor or direct website.
- Leu Duo
• Address: 46 Place du Don, 80000 Amiens
• Atmosphere: Small, intimate, family-run feel with only a handful of tables.
Leu Duo felt like a hidden gem. Tucked in Saint-Leu, it’s the kind of place you stumble upon by accident but remember forever.
Signature Dish I Tried:
• Cassolette d’escargots aux champignons (snail casserole with mushrooms) — €18.
Creamy, garlicky, earthy — pure comfort in a dish.
Other Highlights:
• Main: Carbonnade flamande (beef stew in beer, a northern French specialty) — €20.
• Dessert: Profiteroles with warm chocolate sauce — €9.
Service Experience: Warm, familial, almost like dining in someone’s home. The chef even came to my table to explain the carbonnade recipe, which has been in his family for generations.
Pros: Authentic, intimate, unique menu.
Cons: Limited space; reservations are essential.
Booking: Call directly or book via TheFork.
Additional Notes for Travelers
Reservations
• Most mid-range restaurants in Amiens are listed on TheFork (LaFourchette.fr), which often offers discounts (10–30%).
• Some smaller spots like Leu Duo require a phone call.
Budget
• Expect to spend €25–40 per person for a full meal with drinks in most restaurants mentioned. Brasseries can be cheaper, while fine dining will push higher.
Food Culture
• Amiens has unique dishes such as ficelle picarde (a savory crepe with ham, mushrooms, and cream) and macarons d’Amiens (almond-based sweets). Always ask if the restaurant offers regional specialties.
Things to Watch For
• Many places close between lunch and dinner service (roughly 2:30 pm to 7:00 pm). Plan meals accordingly.
• Always ask if tips are included; usually, service is built into the bill, but leaving small change is appreciated.
Why Amiens Food Will Stay With Me Forever
When I close my eyes and think back to Amiens, I don’t just see the towering Gothic cathedral or the floating gardens of Les Hortillonnages. I smell roasted duck glazed with honey. I taste the tang of a white wine butter sauce. I hear the chatter of locals in a brasserie, the clink of oyster shells at Jules, the soft laugh of a chef explaining his family recipe.
Eating in Amiens taught me something valuable: great food doesn’t need to be pretentious. It needs to be heartfelt, crafted with care, and enjoyed in the moment. Each of these five restaurants reminded me that food is storytelling — of place, of people, of traditions passed down.
What truly struck me was the balance Amiens strikes between tradition and innovation. At Les Orfèvres, I felt the sophistication of fine French dining, plated like art, yet still accessible. At L’Improviste, the chef’s playful creativity reminded me that food can be adventurous and fun. Brasserie Jules showed me the heart of Amiens: communal, generous, and rooted in local tastes. Meanwhile, Le Quai gave me one of the most scenic, romantic meals I’ve ever had by a river, and Leu Duo wrapped me in intimacy, almost like being invited to a family dinner.
And here’s the truth: these meals weren’t just about food. They were about connection — to the city, to its rhythms, and to the people who poured their hearts into each dish. Dining in Amiens isn’t about checking off a Michelin star or chasing the most Instagrammable plate. It’s about slowing down, savoring, and appreciating the warmth of French hospitality in a city that feels more authentic than over-touristed Paris.
If you are planning a trip to Amiens, give yourself the gift of time at the table. Plan ahead with reservations, yes, but leave space to wander into a café or brasserie you stumble upon. Say yes to dishes you’ve never tried, whether it’s escargots or ficelle picarde. And always, always leave room for dessert — the macarons d’Amiens are a must.
And in Amiens, I had several such meals — meals that made me smile, made me curious, and made me fall in love with this city in a way no guidebook ever could.
So when I say these restaurants are ones you’ll dream about later, I mean it. Even now, sitting at my desk miles away, I find myself replaying the flavors, the laughter, the clinking glasses. Amiens left me full — not just in my stomach, but in my heart.
And isn’t that what travel, and food, are truly about?
