Le Relais Renaissance

Eminently in tune with his region, Clément Petitjean is a proud ambassador of his province of Luxemburg and also of Gaume. This is illustrated by the extremely close ties he has forged with local producers. The view of the meadows and the natural slant of the contemporary interior incite the diner to commune with nature, particularly beneath the fine-meshed cloud structures hanging from the ceiling. A fire burning in the hearth further adds to the friendly, home-from-home vibe in the lounge. Make your pick from the sommelier’s splendid cocktail trolley, before sampling Petitjean’s felicitous c

Fans of Gallic fare adore Guillou Campagne. This family-run restaurant was for many years in the hands of Pierrick Guillou and the chefs he trained continue to pay tribute to his legacy on a daily basis. Lysianne and Katell, his widow and daughter, also continue to uphold the family tradition of hospitality in this old stone edifice flanked by an exquisite garden terrace. Authenticity and intensity are the watchwords of Guillou Campagne, so you can expect lashings of cream and butter and ingredients such as foie gras and scallops. The focus is primarily on wholesome, hearty flavours, rather th

Crispy grey shrimps with a frothy espuma of cod and samphire: the signature appetiser illustrates the calibre of the experience you can expect in this former apothecary, which sports an authentic herringbone parquet floor and warm fabrics strewn in subtle industrial references. We won’t say more as chef Mathieu Van Wetteren voluntarily preserves the mystery, as is the case of his surprise menu. With a painstaking eye for detail, his creative streak refrains from falling into the trap of overworking his recipes and aims more for simplicity and purity, with the occasional Japanese accent. Cod is

The sleepy village of Lacuisine makes the perfect base camp to explore the Ardennes. Don’t miss Ronny and Christel’s stylish establishment which combines a friendly vibe with modern comforts. The chef cooks regional produce, most of which from scratch, with lashings of generosity. For example, you may taste a terrine of foie gras with smoked duck magret or a fillet of plaice with a pastis-flavoured jus. The enticing range of set menus means that there is something to suit every palate. Even better, stay overnight and jump into the pool before or after breakfast next morning.

This trendy brasserie, done up in wood and other natural materials, is in perfect osmosis with the surrounding Dudelange forest. It is run by a veteran who takes the time to listen to his guests. Jean-Charles Albert’s pared-back cuisine is subtle, often surprising but never disconcerting. He may marry creamy risotto, truffles and a skate wing fritter or jazz up steak tartare with Thai or oriental notes, all the while respecting their intrinsic flavours. Something of a culinary landmark in the region.

This friendly family brasserie is not far from the busy N4 highway, but as soon as you see the rolling Ardennes countryside, your peace of mind is restored. The interior is steeped in the charm and nostalgia of the inns of yesteryear. Chef Frédéric Bolis finds his inspiration in purebred French classics, to which he is not averse to adding a generous modern spin. Perfectly poached egg in velvety mushroom soup with wild mushrooms and gutsy Ardennes cured ham: the quintessence of fine country fare, as is the case of the meat cooked in a Josper charcoal oven and the punchy sauces. You have here a

A longstanding Ardennes institution, this plush 1890 property is enjoying a new lease of life courtesy of two young brothers-cum-partners. The deftly plated dishes slalom between tradition and modernity: pressed foie gras laced in old rum, veal sweetbread, Rossini tournedos steak, turbot and risotto of fregola sarda… Gloriously peaceful patio to the rear.