Appart Hotel Gambetta

Near Vitry-en-Artois airfield, this spacious restaurant with an inviting atmosphere is the domain of chef Franck Gilabert. In a decor that references his passion for jazz, his generous and authentic cuisine is served up: red onion parmentier and beef cheek confit, farm-reared pork with Morteau sausage and black pudding, or, for dessert, apple and mascarpone charlotte. In fine weather, the sunny terrace overlooking the garden is just the place to savour this home-style cuisine.

Chic but not chichi, this hotel restaurant charms with its deftly crafted cuisine and delicious dishes. Chef Loïc Constant has been delighting diners for over 15 years, thanks to quality ingredients, a sure hand and a touch of generosity. Tuck into a simple yet irresistible carpaccio of sea bass with cayenne pepper, before indulging in divine house-made profiteroles. The attentive and efficient service perfectly rounds off the experience, as you dine in the presence of stars of the silver screen, whose portraits hang on the walls in silver frames.

Chef Sébastien Renard (who appeared as a contestant on Top Chef) has taken over the sumptuous premises of his mentor, the great chef Marc Meurin. This red-brick mansion is truly magnificent, and its bar and elegant glass roof lend it undeniable flair. The young chef, who hails from the region, shows his firm commitment to local produce by showcasing local ingredients and championing their suppliers. He serves up a carte blanche-style set menu that leaves no doubt as to his technical expertise: squid tagliatelle with apple, celery and ginger; monkfish tail with a medley of white asparagus and h

Chef Jérôme Prévost (a local man and formerly sous-chef at Le Cerisier in Laventie) has brought panache to these premises – once an antique dealers' – in the heart of Douai. The elegant vestiges of the past (marble fireplace etc) blend in seamlessly with the restaurant's modern decor (with designer features such as circular banquettes, light fittings, swivel chairs). The chef makes the most of fish from the Côte d'Opale and vegetables from local producers; in season, he dedicates a menu to lobster. Boterzing, part of the same group, serves simpler bistronomy cuisine.

This handsome redbrick edifice at a crossroads in the hamlet of Petit Attiches is run by an enthusiastic young couple. A stylish, modern interior, a terrace and a pretty garden to the rear set the inviting scene. Carefully crafted, up-to-the-minute dishes are paired with fine wines.