What Food To Try in Lille and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Lille for 2024.
National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Lille cafes and restaurants
$15.8
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $9.83
$60.1
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $38.21
$10.9
Combo Meal
Starting from $8.73
What to Try in Lille
Must-try Dishes
Welsh Rarebit - Croque Monsieur (cheesy delight) - A rich toast topped with a savory cheese sauce, often spiced with mustard and ale, melted to perfection. Enjoyed leisurely at breakfast, it pairs well with a good conversation at a local café.Fricassée de Canard - Duck Fricassée (hearty stew) - Tender duck pieces in a creamy sauce with mushrooms and pearl onions, served with potatoes. A popular comfort food for family dinners, it’s usually found in cozy bistros during chilly evenings.
Carbonnade Flamande - Flemish Beef Stew (slow-cooked goodness) - Beef braised in a rich beer sauce with onions, carrots, and a touch of gingerbread for sweetness. Locals savor it as a filling lunch, commonly accompanied by fries or bread.
Petits Sablés - Mini Crispy Fritters (on-the-go snack) - These bite-sized potatoes are deep-fried to a golden crisp and served with a sprinkle of salt. Available from street vendors, they're a popular snack to grab while exploring the city.
Waterzoï - Waterzooi (seafood stew) - A creamy, comforting dish featuring poached fish or chicken with vegetables like leeks and carrots. This beloved local specialty is often enjoyed during family gatherings, particularly in winter.
Andouillettes - Andouillette Sausage (pork delight) - Made primarily from pork intestines and seasoned with onions, this unique sausage is served grilled or fried, often with mustard. It’s a controversial favorite; locals swear by its strong flavor, while visitors may be hesitant.
Salade Lilloise - Lille Salad (fresh and vibrant) - A colorful mix of endives, bacon bits, and warm potatoes, topped with a flavorful vinaigrette. Enjoyed as a light meal during spring, it captures the local taste for seasonal ingredients.
Tarte à l'Oignon - Onion Tart (savory pastry) - This flaky pastry filled with caramelized onions and cream is a staple in Lille. Best enjoyed with friends over a casual dinner, it’s a comforting dish that embodies local simplicity.
Desserts & Drinks
Chocolat Chaud - Chocolat Chaud (rich hot chocolate) - A velvety blend of dark chocolate and whole milk, served steaming hot with a dollop of whipped cream on top. Locals savor it leisurely at cafe terraces, especially during chilly winter afternoons when the city's charm is at its peak. Bière de Garde - Bière de Garde (traditional beer) - This robust ale is brewed with pale malts, creating a sweet, caramel flavor, often served at cellar temperature. It's typically enjoyed during local festivals or social gatherings, where friends will share a round, celebrating the region's brewing history.
Fraise - Fraise (fresh strawberry smoothie) - A refreshing mix of ripe strawberries and yogurt, blended to a creamy chill, perfect for summer days. The locals love sipping this treat at outdoor markets, particularly from early June when strawberries are in season and bursting with flavor.
Fricassé - Fricassee (soft pastry) - These delicate, fluffy pastries are filled with custard and dusted with powdered sugar, ideal for an afternoon snack or dessert. Often enjoyed with coffee at street vendors, they're a beloved choice during any casual gathering or family picnic.
Gaufre - Gaufre (Belgian waffle) - Light and crispy on the outside, with a soft, fluffy center, typically served warm with a dusting of sugar or a dollop of whipped cream. A popular street treat during local fairs and festivals, most people enjoy them fresh off the iron while meandering through the bustling markets.
Food and Groceries in Lille
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.78 |
| Bananas | $1.9 |
| Oranges | $2.86 |
| Potatoes | $1.57 |
| Apples | $2.49 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.36 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $1.75 |
| Imported Beer | $2.54 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $7.64 |
| Milk 1L | $1.17 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $14.19 |
| Chicken | $14.74 |
| Cigarettes | $12.56 |
| Rice | $1.91 |
| Local Cheese | $12.96 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
Strolling through Lille's dining scene, it’s fascinating to see how locals transition from late lunches to lighter evening meals. While many visitors flock to restaurants at typical tourist hours, most locals relax and enjoy their midday meals around 1 PM to 2 PM, with dinner starting much later, typically around 8 PM. This meal pattern often creates charming scenes in the food districts, like Vieux Lille, where cafés fill up as the clock ticks closer to the evening.
If you're planning to dine out, expect to spend anywhere from €10 to €25 for a lunch in the bistros popular in the city center, while a dinner meal can easily range from €15 to €40 depending on the establishment (with a clear jump in price if you venture into the more upscale venues). Interestingly, a simple steak-frites can cost about €15 in a bistro in Vieux Lille, but the same dish might rise to €25 in a more tourist-heavy area.
Local dining customs are also essential to keep in mind. Many small eateries don’t accept credit cards, so carrying cash around is a must, particularly smaller notes (€5 and €10). While it’s courteous to round up your bill when paying, tipping isn't a strict expectation; leaving 5% or rounding up to the nearest euro is appreciated but not obligatory—though I often see leaving small change can really put a smile on servers' faces.
A common mistake tourists make? Rushing their meals. In Lille, dining is more leisurely; meals are enjoyed slowly, often with wine flowing and conversations lingering. If you're planning to visit a popular eatery, call ahead for a reservation, especially if you want a table on the patio during warmer months when outdoor seating is at a premium.
The hours in which restaurants serve can shift with the seasons. For instance, during summer, many places remain open later into the night due to the influx of tourists and longer daylight hours. However, you might find some spots close earlier in winter, where locals prefer cozy indoor dining rather than sitting outside.
As Lille's food scene grows, families are increasingly opting for casual dining experiences that require little preparation, such as grabbing a crêpe from a street vendor—a delightful local habit worth experiencing. All in all, the local dining dynamics are rich with tradition and spontaneity, leaving beautiful culinary pathways to explore throughout the city.
If you're planning to dine out, expect to spend anywhere from €10 to €25 for a lunch in the bistros popular in the city center, while a dinner meal can easily range from €15 to €40 depending on the establishment (with a clear jump in price if you venture into the more upscale venues). Interestingly, a simple steak-frites can cost about €15 in a bistro in Vieux Lille, but the same dish might rise to €25 in a more tourist-heavy area.
Local dining customs are also essential to keep in mind. Many small eateries don’t accept credit cards, so carrying cash around is a must, particularly smaller notes (€5 and €10). While it’s courteous to round up your bill when paying, tipping isn't a strict expectation; leaving 5% or rounding up to the nearest euro is appreciated but not obligatory—though I often see leaving small change can really put a smile on servers' faces.
A common mistake tourists make? Rushing their meals. In Lille, dining is more leisurely; meals are enjoyed slowly, often with wine flowing and conversations lingering. If you're planning to visit a popular eatery, call ahead for a reservation, especially if you want a table on the patio during warmer months when outdoor seating is at a premium.
The hours in which restaurants serve can shift with the seasons. For instance, during summer, many places remain open later into the night due to the influx of tourists and longer daylight hours. However, you might find some spots close earlier in winter, where locals prefer cozy indoor dining rather than sitting outside.
As Lille's food scene grows, families are increasingly opting for casual dining experiences that require little preparation, such as grabbing a crêpe from a street vendor—a delightful local habit worth experiencing. All in all, the local dining dynamics are rich with tradition and spontaneity, leaving beautiful culinary pathways to explore throughout the city.