Lille Travel Guide hotspots

Lille City Guide: 17 hotspots you probably don't know yet

Team YLBB

 

October 24, 2019
Last updated: March 1, 2021

Fancy a weekend road trip this summer? Put Lille on your list!

Want that authentic French feeling less than a three-hour drive from Amsterdam? That's why you'll want to take a road trip to Lille this fall. In this new Lille City Guide, I've compiled a list of the best (new) hotspots for you.

After the success of my book, Staycation, in which I tore through the Netherlands and Belgium in my Peugeot 208, a new video and travel guide series is coming. I've traded in my Peugeot 208 for a bigger one (because I now have a baby!), namely our new Peugeot 2008I'll be on the road all summer creating road trip guides. Sometimes far away, sometimes closer to home, like for Lille. All destinations where, for once, you don't even have to take a plane!

Follow @yourlbb on Instagram

**Rotterdam is a vibrant city: Rotterdam is a vibrant city** As a child I came there with my parents to shop, as a teenager and in my twenties to club. Now I love coming there for a weekend escape characterized by good food, nice wine bars and that typical Rotterdam down-to-earth attitude. Rotterdam is buzzing with creativity and has a real IT factor. In this mini-guide, I share my favorite hotspots that you'll really want to know. 📌𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘇𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 for your next trip to Rotterdam. 𝗖𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗘 ⦁ @parqiet_parkcafe ⦁ @dunerotterdam ⦁ @wollyaandewaterkant ⦁ @nice.neighbourhood 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 ⦁ @morganandmees ⦁ @hotelame ⦁ @roommate_bruno ⦁ @thejameshotelrotterdam 𝗡𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 ⦁ Noord ⦁ Katendrecht ⦁ Dijkzigt (Museum Park) ⦁ Scheepvaartkwartier 𝗗𝗢 ⦁ Take the Watertaxi ⦁ @boijmans ⦁ Walk & unwind at de Kralingse Plas ⦁ @nlfotomuseum ⦁ Visit @stationbergweg 𝗘𝗔𝗧 ⦁ @tresrotterdam ⦁ @barbertarotterdam ⦁ @hinoki_rotterdam ⦁ @barbistroloevetdie ⦁ @oxrotterdam ⦁ @restaurant_rotonde ⦁ On my to-visit list, the new @lioncitybistro 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦 ⦁ @walsjerot_nl ⦁ @cafeverward ⦁ @spikizibar ⦁ @lenselinq 💌What's your favourite spot in Rotterdam? ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Maybe the last weekend with ice and snow ⛄️❄️ Are you cocooning indoors or preferring to go outside? In our Snowy Amsterdam Guide, I share my favorite winter tips for this weekend in the city. Save it – because snow days like this are rare 🥰 Do you have a nice winter tip for Amsterdam? I'm reading along 👀 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #snow #amsterdam #winter snow in amsterdam, things to do winter in amsterdam
I have always been part of the family and have always been proud of my work. NEW DATE AND EVENTS IN AMSTERDAM 🗝️👀 Mark your calendars! Because on January 17 & 18 Hotelnacht is back in Amsterdam with an edition full of health & wellness events and of course legendary parties that you will be talking about all year long. I got a sneak peek at The Art of Balance theme at the luxurious Anantara Krasnapolsky and arranged a similarly special experience for you as a YLBB follower. AND YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: • overnight stay for 2 people in a luxury room on January 17, 2026 • access to the spa & wellness (based on availability via the wellness desk) • pre-dinner cocktail at Bar The Tailor • fully catered chef's dinner • passe-partouts for the Hotelnacht parties • extensive breakfast in the Wintergarden • participation in the unique Ice Experience in the Summergarden of Krasnapolsky 𝗭𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗞 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗦: • let us know who you would like to check in with at Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky during the Mastercard Hotelnacht • download the Mastercard Hotelnacht app where you can find the See the full program • and check out @hotelnacht and @anantarakrasnapolsky for the latest updates and to get the fun started! The winner will be notified on January 5th via a comment from @hotelnacht that I'll share in my stories. Fingers crossed for you! Love, Anne #hotelnacht #amsterdam #yourlbbcollab #winactie #giveaway
Merry Christmas 🎄❤️ I wish you very happy holidays. Curious what you are going to do today ✨. ✖️✖️✖️ @anne_de_buck PS: who recognizes this Christmas tree? 👀
I hope you enjoy it and have fun! 🎄 Send a message to that one friend you want to grab one with this weekend. 𝗭𝘂𝗶𝗱-𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Royal Christmas Fair – The Hague (until 23 Dec) @royalchristmasfairthehague – Winter Wonder Weeks – Leiden (12–14 & 18–21 Dec) – Green Christmas Market – Rotterdam (12–14 Dec) – Dordrecht December Days Christmas Market – Dordrecht (13–14 Dec) – Rotterdam Harvest Christmas Edition – Rotterdam (13 & 20 Dec) 𝗚𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Winter Festival Zutphen – Zutphen (14 Dec) 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴 – Christmas City Valkenburg – Valkenburg (until 4 Jan) Christmas Market – Delden Christmas Market – Delden (13 Dec) – Dickens Festival – Deventer (13–14 Dec) – (H)onest Christmas Market – Deventer (13–14 Dec) Christmas Market – Museumplein Christmas Market – Amsterdam (until 28 Dec) – Haarlem Christmas Market – Haarlem (12–14 Dec) – Funky Xmas Sunday Market – Amsterdam (21 Dec) – Pure Markt Winter Market – Amsterdam (21 Dec) 𝗨𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗵𝘁 – Winter Market Molen de Ster – Utrecht (13–14 Dec) – The Utrecht Winter Spectacle – Utrecht (18 Dec–4 Jan) Have fun! Nothing is as much fun as spontaneous plans in December. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊 @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #christmasmarketnetherlands #christmasmarkets2025 christmasmarketamsterdam christmasmarketthehague christmasoutings thingstodointhenetherlands
𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 👀 This is the coolest new hotel for a night away! Meet @viaantwerp , the newest boutique hotel in Antwerp on the border of Zurenborg and Borgerhout (yep, voted 2nd coolest neighborhood in the world by Time Out). I recently stayed at this gem and this hotel really has it all: a lively bar with a cozy atmosphere, walls full of creative art, beautiful bright rooms and it's within walking distance of great hotspots. And I haven't even mentioned @mea.antwerp! The delicious restaurant with a chef behind the pans who previously cooked at The Palomar in London. If you know, you know! And now the best news: I can surprise one of you with a dream night away at VIA Antwerp. 💛 𝗪𝗔𝗧 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗨𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗡 • Overnight stay for 2 people • Breakfast included • Chef's dinner at MEA 𝗭𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗞 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗦 • Let us know in the comments which friend you would like to stay here with • Of course, also take a look at @viaantwerp & @mea.antwerp to dream away and follow their updates The winner will be notified personally via DM on December 10th. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and will soon share a mini guide with more great tips for Antwerp! 🖤 ​​✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #antwerp #antwerp #zurenborg #antwerpencity #borgerhout

Perfect road trip destination from Friday to Sunday

In this first new guide, I'll take you to Lille, France. This city is also known as Rijsel (River). It's charming, not too big, surprisingly affordable, and just across the Belgian border. A city that's becoming increasingly hip! Since my last visit a few years ago, Lille's hotspots seem to have sprung up like mushrooms. That's why I thought it was time for a comprehensive update to the Lille Travel Guide, so you know exactly where to go for a perfect weekend getaway by car. Don't feel like reading? Then watch the video!

These are our 17 favorite hotspots in Lille

Lille is a medium-sized city, and once you've arrived, you can easily explore it on foot. For some fun things to do, it's best to take a car. I'll highlight each tip in this Lille City Guide. Also, keep in mind that shops and many restaurants are closed on Sundays. Plan your trip accordingly to get the most out of your road trip!

Hôtel L'arbre Voyageur: Lille has plenty of beautiful and trendy hotels to offer. There are several great Airbnbs available, but if you'd still like to stay in a hotel, Hôtel L'arbre Voyageur is a great choice. This hotel is incredibly centrally located! Just a few minutes' walk away, you can be in Lille's main square or wandering through the narrow streets of the historic center. 45 Boulevard Carnot, Lille, France

View the rates

Hotel L'arbre Voyageur

Hotel L'arbre Voyageur

ROAD TRIP TIP: You can easily park your car in the public parking garage next to the hotel. Enter the address of the parking garage "Parking Carnot" (Avenue Carnot, 59000 Lille, France) in your navigation system.

Bernard and Leon: The first new hotspot in Lille we discovered is Bernard et Léon. This is the place to be for the most delicious bowls, which you can create yourself or choose from the menu. The ladies behind this photogenic spot make everything from scratch every day. So get there early for a delicious lunch, because once they're gone, they're gone. I'm completely in love with the terrazzo tableware! They also sell delicious cakes and other sweet treats to go with your coffee.
3 bis Rue de la Clef, 59800 Lille, France – instagram.com/bernardetleon

lille city guide bernard et leon

Bernard and Leon

Monsieur Jacques: Rue de Gand boasts a variety of charming restaurants, but Monsieur Jacques remains our favorite for drinks. This wine bar serves a wide selection of wines by the glass, which you can enjoy on the terrace in good weather. Be sure to order a delicious appetizer platter with regional cheeses or charcuterie. It's the perfect place to relax after shopping and have a drink before heading back to the hotel to prepare for the evening. Official opening time is 18 p.m., but when we were there, we were able to find a table on the terrace around 17 p.m.
30 Rue de Gand, Lille, France – monsieurjacques.com

Lille travel guide wine bar

Monsieur Jacques

Flower pot: During our first trip to Lille, we discovered the fantastic Bloempot restaurant. Now we eat there every time we're in town. Unfortunately, they were closed for vacation during our last road trip, but this tip still deserves a spot in this guide. It's the perfect place for a culinary evening with a delicious menu made with pure, local ingredients. Tip: they're also open for lunch on weekends! Reservations are essential.

Papà Posto: As far as I'm concerned, places like Papà Posto should open in Amsterdam too. This Italian café is open from lunchtime onwards for a bite to eat or just drinks and a tasty snack. The bruschetta and burrata are highly recommended. This hotspot has a surprising interior, and you can walk in without a reservation! Open on Sundays too.

Papà Posto lille hotspot

Papà Posto

The Present: This "cave a manger" wouldn't be out of place in a city like Paris, but in Lille, it's just around the corner from the Grand Place. A wine bar with a lovely terrace, a few tables, and a bar where you can enjoy a drink while waiting for your table. We started the evening with a plate of charcuterie and enjoyed delicious grilled pulpo on the terrace. Also open for lunch.

Le Présentoir lille travel guide

The Display

Post Arrière: Lille's old town boasts many streets where you can wander for hours, always discovering something new. After a stroll through the city, we settled in at Post Arrière for a craft beer on the terrace. This café is open all day, making it a place to remember, as many establishments close after lunch and only reopen for dinner.
51 Rue Basse, Lille, France – facebook.com/PostArriere

Post Arrière lille travel guide

Post Arrière

Caffeine: One of the nicest coffee hotspots in the heart of the historic center is undoubtedly Caféine. In good weather, they also have a small terrace. They serve the best coffee in town, and you can also enjoy lunch or breakfast there. Afterward, stroll down Rue des Vieux Murs, which I personally consider one of the most beautiful streets in the city! Also open on Sundays.

Caféine lille travel guide hotspots

Caffeine

Aoyama: This Japanese hotspot hasn't opened in Lille for very long, but it's a must-try for anyone craving the city's best ramen soup. You can also choose any dish with a rice base. The interior is modern, with lots of light wood and white and pink blossom accents. You can order takeout, but it's much more fun to eat in. In good weather, they have a small terrace along the facade.
70 Rue de Gand, Lille, France – aoyamarestaurant.com

Aoyama travel guide

Aoyama

Boyster: The last time I was in Lille, we had a delicious oyster meal, but unfortunately, that restaurant was closed. I found a worthy replacement at Boyster. Stop here for an oyster tasting on your way from the city center to the city park with the Citadelle de Lille. You can try oysters from different regions of France with a glass of wine!

Boyster lille travel guide

Boyster

Papa Raffaele: This restaurant is the big brother of Papà Posto, and both hotspots are located right next to each other. Papà Raffaele is the go-to place for delicious pizza in Lille. The best place to sit is at the bar overlooking the pizza oven. There, the pizzas are served straight from the oven to your plate! Save room for dessert, because the tiramisu is divine. Tip: they don't take reservations, so arrive early to avoid a long wait for a table. It's always busy here! Also open on Sundays.
5 Rue Saint-Jacques, Lille, France – facebook.com/paparaffaelepizzeria

Papà Raffaele lille city guide

Papa Raffaele

Chicon Pressé: If you're in Lille on a weekday, this is a great spot for lunch or coffee. They have delicious cakes, as well as healthy lunch options. You create your own bowl with salads and other treats and pay a fixed price per gram. Note: this place is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

La Bellezza Big Mamma: Good news for anyone who, like me, is a fan of the restaurants of the Parisian Big Mamma group. Delicious Italian food, beautiful interiors, and a consistently great atmosphere. La Bellezza recently opened in Lille. Perfect for an evening where the table is filled with Italian dishes to share with friends.

Waiffle: The egg waffle trend from Hong Kong has also made its way to Lille. Around the corner from Rue Pierre Mauroy shopping street, you'll find Waiffle, the go-to place for this Asian delicacy.
- waiffle.com

Waiffle lille city guide

La Luck: Looking for a drink after dinner at a bar? Then La Luck is highly recommended. It's located a little further out from the city center in an up-and-coming area. In the summer, they have a really cool courtyard with tables. The rest of the year, you can sit comfortably at the bar or upstairs. What makes this place unique is that they have hundreds of board games, so you can actually do something together instead of being on your phone!
1 Rue Princesse, Lille, France – lalucklille.com

Halles de Wazemmes: Unfortunately, there's not much to do in Lille on Sundays. The shops are closed, and there aren't many good restaurants open either. What is there to do? The indoor food market in the lively Wazemmes neighborhood. It's fun to browse, perhaps pick up some cheeses to take home as a souvenir, and enjoy a taco or empanada at Mestizo. This restaurant is located in the center of the market.
Place Nouvelle Aventure, Lille, France – halles-wazemmes.com

Halles de Wazemmes lille

Halles de Wazemmes

Wally's Coffee: Hands down, one of my favorite spots for a hearty brunch. The avocado toast is divine, and you'll definitely want to try it. The baristas make excellent coffee, but they'll also whip up a freak shake with just as much love. The best place to sit is at the large table in the covered courtyard at the back. Open on Sundays too!
133 Rue du Molinel, Lille, France – instagram.com/wallyscoffee

Wally's Coffee Lille

Wally's Coffee

Enjoy the tips from this Lille Travel Guide! 

In the next road trip I'm going to make in my Peugeot 2008 let me show you the most beautiful of Zeeland.

YourLBB's latest lists

Do you have any tips for fun hotspots in Lille? Or a great road trip destination? Let us know via the button below and TIP THE EDITORS!

 Tip the editors

Are you already receiving the weekly Your Little Black Book newsletter in your inbox? It includes the Amsterdam Weekend Guide and an overview of all the new hotspots and most popular articles.

PSSST… YOU CAN FIND MORE (TRAVEL) TIPS IN MY BOOKS!

Great as a gift for yourself or someone who loves to travel as much as you do!


With love,
Anne

 

Amsterdam Light Festival Foodwalks

All about the Foodwalks

Travel Essentials

view all 36 tips here