3 Best Restaurants in Alsace-Lorraine, France

Don’t be beguiled by the historical Imperial façade; this joyous, cavernous independent café is a colorful riot of contemporary creativity and conviviality. In a bric-a-brac décor of airplane seats, 1970s lampshades, and Christmas light-draped bicycles, a stupefying range of coffees and teas is supplemented by locally sourced food, including tempting cakes and cookies. Ask at the counter for free tokens to play the retro arcade machine.

The genial atmosphere and imaginative menu make this Strasbourg’s go-to place to sample flammekueche. From the classic lardon-and-onion staple to the offbeat blue cheese, pear, and rocket variety, the pizza-like “flamms” are hearty, heavy, and best enjoyed with one of the local draught beers.

On the first floor of the Centre Pompidou-Metz, classic French flavors are given a creative Japanese twist by award-winning chef Charles Coulombeau. Local trout is served in savoury egg chawanmushi; lamb is breaded and deep-fried tonkatsu style; and remoulade sauce is made using daikon radishes. Varying the menu with the seasons, the chef uses touches of miso, soy, wasabi, or yuzu to constantly surprise the palette. This spot is open for lunch only—in the evenings, the same team takes the French-Japanese concept up a notch at the gastronomic Yozora.