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Nord Pas de Calais Restaurants  One of the great pleasures of heading to France, whether for a day trip, a short break or a longer holiday, is the opportunity to eat out in a French restaurant. So, while in terms of distance travelled it is but a hop from England, in gastronomic terms it is a whole new experience and usually much lighter on your pocket as well! There are a wealth of places to eat in the Pas de Calais ranging from small Fermes Auberges to Michelin rated restaurants.
Which restaurant?  Below you will find a few we have enjoyed. Try to find a restaurant that is targeted at French diners (French menus are a good clue!).
Which time?  Sunday lunch is always busy and it pays to book ahead.  In the evenings, don’t arrive too early - 7.30PM is often the earliest you can get served.
Which menu?  Don’t go for à la carte options.  Usually they have the same options as the menu prix fixe and they cost a lot more!  Avoid Menu Touristique like the plague!
 Which wine?  Wine can be quite expensive if you go for named bottles.  But carafes of house white or red wine have usually been exquisitely selected by the restauranteur and are excellent value.  Refer to our wine section for more advice on wines in France.

Our favourite restaurants in the Nord Pas de Calais:

   - Ambassade de Montmartre
    - Buffalo Grill
    - Hôtel du Centre
   - Le Cygne
   - Restaurant l'Epicure
   - La Ferme Gourmande
   - Le Fontainebleau
   - Le Fournil
   - Auberge d'Inxent
   - Restaurant Paul et Virginie
   - Au Vivier
   - Restaurant du Cap
   - Les Tourelles

La Ferme Gourmande

Avenue de Verdun

62340 Guines

Tel No: 0(3) 21 35 78 21

 Part of what was once an 18th century farm, with the large dining area having pictures and memorabilia of times past. The menus centre around a mixture of Flemish and Périgord cuisine using local produce wherever possible, such as Tarte au Maroilles  (a local cheese tart). This is wholesome cooking with hearty fare rather than nouvelle cuisine, so arrive feeling hungry!  There is a good choice on the menus, with something to suit all tastes, but don’t expect to be in and out within the hour! There is a children's menu of the ham/steak haché and chips variety.
External websites offering information on Nord Pas de Calais restaurants (not all visited by us):

- Toques d'Opale		 A splendid set of books on eating out in France is written by Richard Binns.  French Leave Encore has travel advice with details of hotels and restaurant recommendations.  French Leave Finesse contains purely restaurant recommendations.