La Petite Table (Lens)

La Petite Table is a bistro at 14 Rue du 4 Septembre in Lens, in the Pas-de-Calais department of the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Lens is a former mining town best known today for the Louvre-Lens museum and for its football club, and the restaurant is a popular lunch spot for museum visitors. The Louvre-Lens is a short distance from the town centre.

The cooking is seasonal French bistro fare built around local produce, and the menu changes through the year. The volaille fermière de la région, farm-raised regional poultry, is the signature main course. Poireaux vinaigrette, leeks served with a mustard vinaigrette, is a traditional starter that fits the leek-growing north, and tarte Tatin, the upside-down caramelised apple tart, is the classic dessert. Mains cost roughly €15 to €25, a moderate price.

The room is small and relaxed, with a friendly, unfussy atmosphere and moderate noise. There is no dress code, and the clientele mixes locals, office workers and visitors from the museum. The drinks list is short and focused on French wines and regional beers, enough to complement a bistro lunch.

Service is Tuesday to Saturday, with lunch from 12:00 to 14:00 and dinner from 19:00 to 21:00. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations are recommended, particularly at lunch on days when the Louvre-Lens is busy or when football matches draw visitors to Lens. Because the room is small, calling ahead ensures a table. The restaurant works well as the meal before or after a museum visit, and lunch is the strongest value.