Our favourite estaminets in the Hauts-de-France

Ah, the estaminet! That traditional restaurant, so typical of the Hauts-de-France. You sit down there gladly for the friendly atmosphere, the busy, picturesque décor, the hearty home-made dishes. You eat, you drink (in moderation), you meet people, you play games — in short, it's all the warm atmosphere of northern France gathered in one place. Here's a non-exhaustive list of estaminets to try if you fancy a good meal!

La Taverne du Westhoek in QUAËDYPRE

The Westhoek is the area where Belgium and France meet, the link between the hills of Flanders and the North Sea. It's in Quaëdypre, a village a few kilometres from Bergues, that you'll find the Taverne du Westhoek. A welcoming spot where you can taste all the flavours of our beautiful region. An attentive, friendly team, hearty dishes and chips to die for!

Address: 2 route de Wylder — Quaëdypre
Bookings: 03.28.68.68.14

Het Kasteelhof in Cassel

Mont Cassel, with its cobbles, its steep little streets, its square, its 360° panoramic view over the Flanders plain (and beyond!). And in the middle of it all, the estaminet Het Kasteelhof: creaking wooden floors, a wonderful setting, ultra-typical bric-a-brac décor, quality local flavours, a fine drinks menu — in short, a treat on every front! You can also browse the little shop selling regional produce on the ground floor.

Address: 8 rue Saint-Nicolas — Cassel
Bookings: 03.28.40.59.29

Les Margats de Raoul in AUDINGHEN

This establishment in Audinghen has been around since the early 1900s. Originally a hotel-restaurant, it was renamed "La Mer monte" after a song by the famous singer Raoul de Godewarsvelde — Raoul being an iconic figure at Cap Gris-Nez. Since 2018, Les Margats de Raoul has become the go-to estaminet for lovers of the cape. Come and quench your thirst after a walk, or enjoy good, simple food with friends or family (there's a play area for the kids). Everything here is designed for an enjoyable time around much-loved, local cooking, in one of the finest settings on the coast!

Address: 685 route du cap — Audinghen
Bookings: 03.21.32.96.37

De Vierpot in Boeschèpe

A typically Flemish farmhouse at the foot of the Boeschèpe windmill — you can't get much more traditional! Generous cooking, a dizzying choice of Belgian beers (more than 60), popular local drinks such as lemonade and juices. De Vierpot, also has old Flemish games and a terrace to enjoy the exceptional view, and more. From cold cuts platters to hearty desserts, here you eat well, raise a glass and savour it all — so go on, dig in!

Address: 125 complexe Joseph Decanter — Boeschèpe
Bookings: 06.87.44.06.51

Le Bruegel in Bergues

In one of the oldest houses in Bergues, Le Bruegel offers generous cooking to every food lover who walks through the door. In a remarkable setting, you can taste many typical dishes: waterzooi, welsh rarebit, shrimp croquettes, andouillette sausages and wood-fired meats, all of which have made this Flemish estaminet's name. Long wooden tables, a fireplace at the heart of the restaurant — everything here is a treat! Don't miss the excellent Bergues cheese either, another local speciality.

Address: 1 rue du Marché aux Fromages — Bergues
Bookings: 03.28.68.19.19

Le Raspoutine Social Club at Mont des Cats

An unusual spot with a breathtaking view. You're in Berthen, at the foot of Mont des Cats. A really friendly estaminet, with a menu promising local, hearty cooking with a twist. Beer lovers won't be disappointed by the choice on offer. A very pleasant discovery, just like the owners, all set amid the greenery at the heart of French Flanders.

Address: 2003 chemin du rossignol — Berthen
Bookings: 06.16.48.62.62