La Chicorée

La Chicorée is a landmark brasserie at 15 Place Rihour in central Lille, in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It is decorated in classic brasserie style, with dark wood, brass and mirrors, and has historically been known for staying open into the small hours. Its position on Place Rihour puts it close to the Palais Rihour and the city's main shopping streets.

The menu sticks to hearty northern French standards rather than seasonal experimentation. The ficelle picarde, a buckwheat crêpe rolled around ham and mushrooms and baked under cream and cheese, is the dish the restaurant is best known for. Potjevleesch, a cold terrine of mixed meats traditionally eaten with frites, is another regional staple on the menu, and gaufres au sucre, sugar waffles, close the meal in the northern manner.

The room is lively and often crowded, with a steady flow of locals and visitors. There is no dress code, noise levels are moderate to high, and the mood is informal and sociable rather than refined. Beverages centre on beer and standard brasserie wine, and the northern dishes pair naturally with a local beer.

Prices are moderate, with mains at roughly €15 to €25. The kitchen serves daily from 11:30 to 23:00, and the long service window makes it a reliable option for a late dinner when other Lille kitchens have closed. Reservations are not required, and the size and turnover of the room mean a table can normally be found without booking. Groups arriving at peak weekend times may still wait briefly, but walk-in dining is the expected format here.