The best restaurants in Champagne
Restaurants in Champagne- I love 'em! As star chef Michael Nizzero pointed out, dining in Champagne is something else. Chefs pay a lot of attention to the champagne menu, and natural champagne is often well represented as just like local ingredients, they too reflect the terroir of the region. Of course, not every restaurant in Champagne gets it right and like everybody else, I have my favourites. I've listed them below and I truly hope you'll get the chance to go there someday.
Les Avisés- Avize
Out of all restaurants in Champagne, this is without a doubt the most magical one. When people ask me about my favourite moment of all time, I think of that one day in Les Avisés. I had just sat down in their light-flooded salon after a spectacular three course dinner. I had a book in one hand and a glass of Substance by Selosse in the other, and I was a little drunk and very, very happy. Back then, I thought it was the alcohol talking, but now that I’ve been to Les Avisés 10+ times, I know it’s the ambiance.
Les Avisés is a hotel-restaurant, owned by the Selosse family that produces natural champagne (dare I say the very best?). Anselme and Corinne Selosse needed more space to store their bottles, so they bought a large cellar along with the villa that was built on top of it. Then, they hired Michelin Starred chef Stéphane Rossillon and his wife, hostess Nathalie, and opened a hotel with romantic rooms, star quality dishes and a breakfast menu that haunts me in my sleep. In a good way, obviously.
Website: https://www.selosse-lesavises.com/le-restaurant/
Address: 59 Rue de Cramant, 51190 Avize, France
Telephone nr. : +33 3 26 57 70 06
Diner at Les Avisés, Avize
Sacré Bistro- Épernay
This small restaurant in the epicentre of Champagne is a personal favourite. It’s where I attended the masterclasses by Guillaume Selosse and Hervé Jestin, and whenever I drive to the Champagne region, I always check their availability. Like many restaurants in Champagne, this restaurant's menu is champagne-focused, but they excel when it comes to knowledge and choice of champagne houses. Dishes at Sacré Bistro are to die for too, though, whether you go for a burger or something more refined.
Website: https://www.sacrebistro.fr
Address: 2 Place Auban Moët, 51200 Épernay, France
Telephone nr.: +33 9 52 78 27 37
Aux Crieurs de Vin- Troyes
Aux Crieurs de Vin is my go-to restaurant in the Aube department. As it's a restaurant annex wine shop, you can also find this gem on the list of my favourite wine shops and delis. The Aux Crieurs de Vin kitchen is known for its terrine de campagne, its cheeses and charcuterie, and, of course, for its excellent taste in champagne. Highly recommend it!
Website: http://auxcrieursdevin.fr
Address: 4 Place Jean Jaurès, 10000 Troyes, France
Telephone nr.: +33 3 25 40 01 01
Sacré Burger- Reims
This is Sacré Bistro’s little sister, and apart from the burger-focused menu, both restaurants are quite similar in terms of quality. Although I prefer Sacré Bistro for a long evening of wining and champagning (yes that's a word), Sacré Burger is also a nice spot to sit down and relax after a long drive. That’s why, to me, the choice is very simple: whenever in Épernay, go to Sacré Bistro; when in Reims, go to Sacré Burger.
ps. their fries are rather soggy, so if that's not your thing, consider going somewhere else.
Website: https://www.sacreburger.fr/
Address: 24 Rue de Tambour, 51100 Reims, France
Telephone nr.: +33 9 84 57 91 40
Racine - Reims
Japanese chef Kazuyuki Tanaka owns and runs this two-star Michelin restaurant, which is all about harmony. Kazu, good friend of champagne maker David Léclapart, knows how to bring Japanese finesse and champagne magic together, and you can feel it in every inch of his small but elegant restaurant. Expect peace and quiet, but also get ready to be blown away by the great food and +250 (!) champagnes. Softly blown away, that is.
Website: Racine
Address: 6 pl Godinot, 51100 Reims, France
Telephone nr.: +33 3 26 35 16 95
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