Best 6 Local Dishes in Lille
Lille, a city steeped in history and bubbling with culture, is also a haven for food lovers.
From hearty stews to delicate pastries, the local cuisine offers something to satisfy every palate.
Ready to taste Lille on a plate? Here are 6 local dishes in Lille that capture the heart (and stomach) of the city’s food scene.
1. Carbonade Flamande
Think of Carbonade Flamande as Lille’s answer to beef stew—with a beer makeover. This sweet-sour beef concoction slow-cooks for hours until the flavors are so intertwined they’re practically best friends. It’s usually served with fries or bread for ultimate sauce-dipping satisfaction, making it the perfect remedy for Lille’s chilly months (or anytime you need a cozy, food-hug).
Where to try? Le Barbus d’Anvers
📍 1 Rue Saint-Etienne, 59800 Lille, France
Instagram: here
2. Welsh Rarebit
Borrowing from its neighbor across the Channel, Lille puts a French twist on the British classic. In Lille, Welsh Rarebit includes a hearty slice of bread soaked in beer and topped with melted cheese, sometimes with the addition of ham or a fried egg. It’s a pub food favorite that pairs wonderfully with a local brew.
Where to try? La Chicorée
📍 15 Pl. Rihour, 59000 Lille, France
Instagram: here
3. Tarte au Maroilles
Maroilles cheese has a reputation for its powerful aroma, but that’s just the beginning. This savory pie, with its buttery crust and creamy, melt-in-your-mouth filling, is a true love letter to cheese lovers. If you can handle the smell, you’ll be rewarded with a flavor that’s pure magic—just don’t blame us if it lingers.
Warning: this isn’t for the faint of heart (or nose… 🧀)
Where to try? Le Broc
📍 32 Pl. Louise de Bettignies, 59000 Lille, France
Instagram: here
4. Ch’tiramisu
Imagine tiramisu taking a detour through northern France, ditching the espresso for a dose of local chicory instead (= roasted root with a coffee-like flavor). The result? A dessert that’s rich, creamy, and has a quirky edge—just like the locals. Meet the Ch’tiramisu, Lille’s clever take on the classic Italian dessert.
Perfect for anyone who loves a twist on tradition, Ch’tiramisu is Lille’s way of saying, “We’ll take your dessert…and make it deliciously north.
Where to try? L’Estaminet Chez la Vieille
📍 60 Rue de Gand, 59000 Lille, France
Instagram: here
5. Croquettes de Crevettes Grises
Lille’s Croquettes de Crevettes Grises are the kind of snack that hooks you from the first bite. Crispy on the outside and filled with a creamy shrimp mix, they bring North Sea gray shrimp to life in the best way possible. With a squeeze of lemon and fresh herbs on top, they’re perfect for when you want something light, local, and just a little comforting.
Where to try? Le Lion Bossu
📍 1 Rue Saint-Jacques, 59800 Lille, France
Instagram: here
6. La Gaufre Fourrée Lilloise
This sweet treat takes two thin, soft waffles and fills them with a buttery cream spiked with brown sugar and vanilla. It’s like a chic French cousin to the cookie sandwich, with that “oh là là” factor.Best devoured warm and fresh, these waffles are Lille’s secret weapon to make sure you eat five in one sitting. Because really, who’s counting when the butter’s this good? Whether for breakfast, a snack, or “just one more” after dinner, this sweet treat goes straight to the heart (and the hips, but let’s not talk about that).
Where to try? Le Méert
📍 25-27 Rue Esquermoise, 59000 Lille, France
Instagram: here