Few cities have surprised and delighted my palate quite like Reims. Known as the unofficial capital of Champagne country, this city is more than just sparkling wine; it’s a culinary tapestry where traditional French dishes meet the rustic heart of the Champagne region.
When I first planned my trip, I expected to drink plenty of bubbly, but I didn’t realize that Reims would also feed me dishes so comforting and memorable that I would find myself still thinking about them months later. Eating in Reims is not just about satisfying hunger—it’s about connecting to a culture that celebrates life at the table.
I’ll share my favorite dining experiences from five real restaurants in Reims, each with its own personality, specialty, and unforgettable flavors. I’ll also give you insider tips on reservations, budget considerations, local specialties, and a few things I wish someone had told me before I arrived.
- Brasserie Flo Excelsior
📍 Location: 96 Place Drouet d’Erlon, 51100 Reims, France
💶 Average Price: €20–€35 per person
This was the very first restaurant I dined at in Reims, and it set the tone for my entire trip. Brasserie Flo Excelsior is a historic Art Deco brasserie located right in the bustling center of Place Drouet d’Erlon—a street lined with cafés and buzzing with energy. The exterior is grand, and stepping inside feels like stepping back in time, with high ceilings, chandeliers, and attentive waiters in white aprons.
Signature Dish I Tried
• Choucroute Garnie (€22): sauerkraut cooked in Champagne, served with pork knuckle, sausages, and slices of ham.
I’ve eaten choucroute in Alsace before, but the version in Reims is uniquely rich because of the Champagne influence. The tang of the sauerkraut mellowed beautifully with the sparkling notes of wine, and every bite was comforting yet elegant.
Other Recommendations
• Oysters and seafood platters: Ideal if you want something light to pair with Champagne.
• Crème brûlée: Simple, but with a perfectly caramelized top.
My Experience
I remember sitting at a corner table, sipping a glass of local Champagne, and watching people stroll down Place Drouet d’Erlon. There was a warmth in the atmosphere that made me feel less like a tourist and more like a participant in the city’s daily life. Service was brisk but friendly, and although the brasserie was busy, my server happily explained the regional differences in the choucroute.
- Le Foch (Michelin-Starred)
📍 Location: 37 Boulevard Foch, 51100 Reims, France
💶 Average Price: €60–€120 per person (tasting menu available)
Le Foch is one of those Michelin-starred restaurants that manages to feel approachable rather than intimidating. I booked a table weeks in advance because this place is in high demand, especially among travelers who want to mix fine dining with regional flavors.
Signature Dish I Tried
• Pigeon Rôti with Foie Gras and Champagne Sauce (€42 à la carte, included in tasting menu): This dish was extraordinary—rich, complex, and beautifully plated. The Champagne sauce added a surprising lightness to what could otherwise be a heavy dish.
Other Recommendations
• Seafood starter with scallops and caviar: Perfect balance of salty and creamy.
• Dessert soufflé: Served with a touch of local Marc de Champagne spirit.
My Experience
Dining here felt like being part of a story where every course was a chapter. I chose the tasting menu (€95), and it was worth every cent. The pacing was relaxed, allowing me to enjoy each course without feeling rushed. I also loved that the staff suggested specific Champagnes to pair with each dish, introducing me to smaller local producers I might never have discovered otherwise.
The only downside? The price makes it more of a special occasion restaurant than a casual stop. But for me, it was the highlight of my culinary exploration in Reims.
- Le Boulingrin
📍 Location: 29 Rue de Mars, 51100 Reims, France
💶 Average Price: €25–€45 per person
Le Boulingrin is another historic brasserie, famous among locals for its Art Deco interior and traditional French dishes. What makes it special is its location near the Marché du Boulingrin, Reims’s covered food market. Many chefs and locals pop in here after shopping, which gives the place an authentic vibe.
Signature Dish I Tried
• Andouillette de Troyes (€24): A coarsely cut pork sausage, grilled and served with mustard sauce. This dish is an acquired taste, but I appreciated its bold flavors.
Other Recommendations
• Poached eggs in red wine sauce: Earthy and comforting.
• Duck confit: A French classic executed perfectly.
My Experience
Le Boulingrin felt like a true locals’ hangout. The waiter joked with me when I hesitated over the andouillette (“Are you ready for a real French test?” he laughed), and I loved how unpretentious the whole experience was. The wine list was excellent, featuring affordable local bottles starting at €20.
If you want to feel like part of Reims rather than a visitor passing through, this is where you go.
- Anna-S La Table Amoureuse
📍 Location: 6 Rue Gambetta, 51100 Reims, France
💶 Average Price: €40–€70 per person
Anna-S La Table Amoureuse is often described as one of the most romantic restaurants in Reims, and I couldn’t resist testing the claim. The atmosphere is intimate, with candlelit tables and a quieter, more refined crowd.
Signature Dish I Tried
• Filet de Bœuf with Truffle Mashed Potatoes (€38): The beef was tender, and the truffle mash elevated the dish into something luxurious.
Other Recommendations
• Foie gras starter: Smooth, decadent, and paired with a glass of sweet wine.
• Chocolate fondant dessert: Rich, gooey, and impossible to resist.
My Experience
I dined here alone, but the experience still felt special. The staff were warm and attentive, and even offered to split courses into smaller tastings so I could try more dishes without over-ordering. The wine list leaned heavily into Champagne (of course), but there were also excellent reds from Burgundy.
Reservations are essential here—it’s a small restaurant and fills quickly.
- Café du Palais
📍 Location: 14 Place Myron Herrick, 51100 Reims, France
💶 Average Price: €15–€30 per person
For something more casual, Café du Palais is my go-to. Located near the cathedral, it’s perfect for a relaxed lunch after sightseeing. The quirky, vintage décor—complete with paintings, stained glass, and even old posters—makes it feel like dining inside a piece of living history.
Signature Dish I Tried
• Croque-Monsieur with Salad (€14): Simple but incredibly satisfying, especially when paired with a glass of Champagne.
Other Recommendations
• Quiche Lorraine: A nod to the neighboring region.
• Cheese platter: Featuring local specialties like Chaource and Langres.
My Experience
What struck me most about Café du Palais was its atmosphere. Locals, tourists, students, and even business professionals mingled together, creating a vibrant energy. I loved sitting by the window, people-watching while enjoying my meal. It’s the kind of place where you could easily linger for hours with a book or a journal.
Tips for Dining in Reims
• Reservations: Essential for fine dining spots like Le Foch and Anna-S, but also smart for popular brasseries on weekends.
• Budgeting: Expect €15–20 for a casual lunch, €30–50 for mid-range dinner, and €80–120 for Michelin-starred dining.
• Pair with Champagne: Always ask for recommendations—many restaurants feature local small-scale producers.
• Timing: Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner, so plan accordingly.
Eating in Reims was a revelation for me. It showed me how a city can honor its traditions while also embracing innovation in food. From the bold and rustic flavors of andouillette to the delicate sophistication of a Michelin-starred pigeon dish, Reims offers a full spectrum of dining experiences.
Every meal I had felt like a celebration—not just of food, but of culture, history, and human connection. What I loved most was that even the most upscale places retained a sense of warmth and hospitality. In Reims, dining is not a transaction; it’s an invitation to be part of the Champagne region’s story.
I also came to realize that food in Reims is inseparable from Champagne itself. It isn’t just a drink—it’s part of the seasoning, the sauce, the celebratory toast at the end of every meal. Whether you’re enjoying sauerkraut braised in Champagne at Brasserie Flo, or sipping a local grower’s vintage alongside beef tenderloin at Anna-S La Table Amoureuse, the sparkling wine always finds a way into the experience.
Another thing I wish I had known before my trip is how important it is to slow down and linger. Reims is not a city where you rush through meals. Here, dining is a rhythm of life: multi-course menus savored over hours, conversations stretching as long as the Champagne keeps flowing. I arrived with a tourist’s timetable, but I left with a local’s appreciation for the art of sitting still, eating slowly, and letting flavors unfold.
On a practical level, I also learned a few key lessons worth sharing:
• Always book restaurants like Le Foch and Anna-S in advance—they fill quickly, even on weekdays.
• Don’t be afraid to explore casual cafés like Café du Palais. These places give you a glimpse of everyday Reims life without a big dent in your wallet.
• If you’re budget-conscious, lunchtime menus are often far cheaper than dinner but just as satisfying.
But most of all, I learned that dining in Reims is about balance. It’s about enjoying the elegance of haute cuisine without losing sight of the rustic, hearty dishes that have fed this region for centuries. It’s about sipping world-famous Champagnes but also discovering small producers with labels you won’t find outside France. And it’s about savoring not only the food itself, but the atmosphere: the laughter of locals, the clink of glasses, the quiet pride of a chef describing his craft.
When I think back on my meals in Reims, I don’t just remember the dishes—I remember the feeling. The satisfaction of cutting into perfectly roasted pigeon at Le Foch. The laughter shared with strangers at Le Boulingrin over a plate of bold andouillette. The quiet intimacy of truffle-scented beef at Anna-S. The casual joy of biting into a croque-monsieur at Café du Palais while people-watching near the cathedral.
If you’re planning your own trip to Reims, my advice is simple: come with an open mind and an even more open appetite. Order the classics, but also take risks on dishes you’ve never heard of. Pair everything with Champagne—it’s the local law, unspoken but undeniable. And above all, give yourself permission to indulge.
Because in Reims, eating isn’t just a necessity—it’s part of the city’s heartbeat. It’s where history, tradition, and innovation meet at the table, inviting you to sit down, raise your glass, and be part of something timeless.
So here’s my final toast: to Reims, to its food, to its Champagne, and to the memories it leaves behind. May your own meals here be as full of flavor, laughter, and sparkle as mine were—and may you, like me, find yourself dreaming about them long after you’ve left.
