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West AfricanClairmarais Gare
Kwabo bills itself as the first Afro-fusion restaurant in Reims, on Rue de Courcelles, with halal burgers, plantain plates and a monthly African country menu.
Why locals goBilled as Reims' first Afro-fusion restaurant, on Rue de Courcelles in the station quarter, with a second menu themed on a different African country each month.
TipFried plantain alloco costs €6 and a trio of plantain cups €17.90; the kitchen is closed on Sunday and Monday.
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ItalianCathedrale
Panino Divino is an Italian delicatessen on Rue du Jard in Reims selling €8 panini on olive-oil ciabatta, plus arancini, cheeses and tiramisu.
Why locals goAn Italian delicatessen on Rue du Jard where panini, arancini and cheeses can be eaten on the spot or taken away, so it reads as a shop, not a restaurant.
TipTruffle and carpaccio panini cost €8.50 and €9.50 and a vegetarian panino is €8; the counter is closed Sunday and Monday.
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French bistroHors Centre
Chez Nous seats 42 inside and 55 on its terrace on Avenue d'Épernay in Reims, serving a daily slate menu and potato dishes at €14.50 to €20.50.
Why locals goA neighbourhood restaurant on Avenue d'Épernay, outside the boulevards, with 42 seats inside, a 55-seat terrace and a daily slate menu.
TipThe slate of the day is posted on the restaurant's website; it is closed on Sunday and Monday and accepts restaurant vouchers.
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French bistroHors Centre
Le Back Off is a 1930s-themed bar-brasserie on Rue Maurice Prévoteau in La Neuvillette, Reims, with weekday lunches and a rock-concert programme.
Why locals goIn the La Neuvillette district rather than the centre, this 1930s-themed room is one of three parts of a 'capsule temporelle' and serves lunch only.
TipBook by phone on 06 47 89 69 09; the kitchen serves weekday lunch only and the bar takes over from 17:00.
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French bistroHors Centre
Le Petit Vatel is chef Thierry Lamblot's weekday-lunch restaurant on Rue de Neufchâtel in Reims, serving home-style cooking and a starter buffet.
Why locals goA weekday-lunch restaurant on Rue de Neufchâtel in La Neuvillette, run by chef Thierry Lamblot, with an unlimited starter buffet in its formula.
TipWeekday lunch only; a plat du jour costs €11 and the full formula with starter buffet and cheese or dessert is €17.80.
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French bistroJean Jaures
Croquignole is a small bistro on Rue Camille Lenoir in Reims, seating twenty around an open kitchen, with hand-cut beef tartare as the house speciality.
Why locals goA twenty-cover room with an open kitchen on Rue Camille Lenoir, outside the centre near Avenue Jean Jaurès, with a slate that changes with the market.
TipThe tartare comes in several versions and can be taken away; the room is closed Sunday and Monday.