Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
A grain spirit flavoured with juniper, distilled in the Nord since the 18th century. Drunk neat and very cold after a plate of carbonade, or stirred into coffee.
Joseph Claeyssens converted an oil mill on the Deule at Wambrechies into a genever distillery in 1817, and it still runs one of the last French genievre productions on a near-unchanged process. The spirit became the drink of the region's miners and textile workers, taken neat for warmth or poured into coffee to make a bistouille. It won a prize at the 1935 Brussels international exhibition and reached its peak in the 1930s. In Lille it is the correct thing to order after a heavy estaminet plate.
2 editor picks for Genièvre in Lille, ranked by editorial score. All Lille signature dishes · Genièvre across every city.
Genever on Rue Saint-André in Lille builds its bar around the northern grain spirit of the same name, poured neat and stirred into spiced cocktails.
TipThis is the easiest place in Lille to drink genievre without ordering a bottle in an estaminet.
Au Vieux de la Vieille spills onto the cobbles of Rue des Vieux Murs in Lille, the terrace estaminet locals send visitors to for carbonade and welsh.
OrderGratin de la Vieille, a pancake baked with endive, ham and maroilles.
TipThe courtyard terrace fills first on a warm evening. Plat du jour runs at 9.90 or 14.90 euros.
Genièvre makes more sense with someone from Lille explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Join a beer-themed scavenger hunt in Old Lille. Your game includes discovering the city, the history of Lille beer, and tastings!
Guided tour · 3 hours
A gourmet tour of 6 spots to discover Lille! Enjoy small portions from Vieux Lille's best savory and sweet spots. Fun facts and good vibes with our fantastic guides!
Guided tour · 2 hours
A guided zythological walk that will take you from specialized bars and wine merchants to micro-breweries to discover the know-how and the brewing revival that is shak...