We managed breakfast and lunches from the local supermarkets - bread, fruit, nuts, and dips - and managed to eat quite well. We saved our eating out for the evenings, and here are the two places we enjoyed most.
Albedo Kitchen
Albedo Kitchen is a super friendly, super tasty place in Lille's Wazemmes district. That means it's a bit of a walk (or a short hop on the metro) from the centre of Lille, but it's most definitely worth the trip. As well as serving up banging food, they also do live music and host art exhibitions (check their social media for what's on). It's the sort of place where you feel like you're eating in someone's living room, in the best way.
But what about the food? It's all vegan, and as far as I can tell, pretty much all gluten-free as well.
On my first visit, I got the braised tofu and cashew nuts, with steamed cruciferous vegetables, and a sauce of miso and dried tomatoes.
The next visit I tried the green lentil dahl with seasonal vegetables with Camargue red rice and cashew and coconut cream. It was a really mild, comforting dish, but there was a little pot of chilli powder on the table for optional extra spice.
We got dessert on both occasions - truffles one time, a chestnut muffin the next time. We shared some coffee and natural wine, and considered ourselves very well fed.
Albedo Kitchen's describes its food as living or healing food - as organic and as local as possible, cooked simply. We went there twice during our trip, and I can confirm that it's the sort of food that makes you feel good having eaten it and the sort of place that makes you feel good while you do.
La Clairière
If you're planning on heading to the La Clairière, there's something you really need to know before you go - it really helps to like dogs. The restaurant plays host to dogs awaiting adoption, so when you step through the door, you'll be greeted (very enthusiastically) by one of them. They roam freely in the restaurant too, so they may come and check on you during your meal. I really enjoyed the dogs, but if you're not a fan, this might not be somewhere you're going to enjoy.
Onto the restaurant itself. There's a small menu that changes weekly, as well as a brunch on weekends. There are gluten free options for starters, mains and desserts, and the brunch can be made gluten free, but you'll need to let them know in advance.
On our visit, I chose the gluten free curry, with chick peas and spinach, because spinach, chick peas, and curry are some of my favourite things. There's some turmeric rice on the side too. As an avid curry fan, I wouldn't have minded a bit more spice, but I very much enjoyed it nonetheless. Definitely worth a stop if you're in Lille.
0 comments