Best Restaurants in Reims, France and Nearby Champagne Villages to Pair With Your Champagne Day Trip with us!
When travelers dream of a chauffeur driven day trip to Champagne like the one's we organize at Tasty Side To Life Tours, they usually picture golden glasses of bubbly clinking in UNESCO candlelit caves. But ask anyone who’s been here recently, and they’ll tell you that the food scene in Reims and the surrounding villages is just as memorable as the bubbles and the best part is the food is affordable!!! You can eat a Michelin star meal at Chateau Les Crayeres with four courses for 120€ which is a STEAL and what I love, love, love about the region! It is starter, main cheese and dessert with many pre and after courses so instead of 3 courses its like 6-7! Wine pairing is an additional 65€ and SO WORTH IT! This is only Wed-Friday and lunch only but still! You must experience this.
A Champagne tour isn’t complete without a long two hour mandatory lunch, a cozy bistro dinner, or a modern tasting menu that impresses you with every course. And the best part of france in my opinion is the cheese cart they wheel up for pre dessert! It's a selection of 50 cheeses and you could try a little piece of each if you'd like!
Over the years of leading Tasty Side To Life Tours and guiding guests on chauffeur driven private tours through Reims, Épernay, and the rolling surrounding gorgeous villages beyond, we’ve discovered restaurants that truly capture the spirit of Champagne and are the best of the best. These are the places we love to share with travelers who book a tour with us, because they combine what the region does best: exceptional wine, seasonal produce, and a deep respect for tradition.
Reims:
L’Assiette Champenoise — This Michelin-starred restaurant is often at the top of every list, and for good reason. Chef Arnaud Lallement crafts dishes that are both luxurious and welcoming, with a cellar that highlights Champagne pairings better than anywhere in the world. If you want to celebrate a special occasion in Reims, this is the place.
Les Crayeres Le Parc and Le Jardin— Set in a fairy-tale château surrounded by lush gardens, Le Parc delivers a dining experience as refined as the Champagnes on its list. Guests love starting with a glass on the terrace before heading into the grand dining room. It’s everything you imagine when you picture French fine dining. If you want something more casual than Le Jardin is perfect, its their GORGEOUS bistro!
Racine — A creative blend of Japanese precision and French flavors, Racine has become a favorite among food lovers seeking something unexpected. Tucked into a quiet Reims street, it offers an intimate setting where each plate feels like an art piece.
Local Favorites and Bistro Charm
Café du Palais — For a more casual experience, Café du Palais is a Reims institution. With colorful stained glass and eclectic décor, it’s the perfect spot for lunch between cellar visits. The menu is straightforward, hearty, and paired beautifully with a glass of Champagne. A must is the table side beef tartare
La Grande Georgette — Located near the Cathedral, this modern brasserie balances tradition with a youthful energy. It’s one of those places that feels both polished and relaxed, making it a great stop on a day of sightseeing. This is the hottest restaurant of the moment
Le Bocal — If seafood calls your name, Le Bocal (part fish market, part restaurant) is the spot. Order oysters, a bottle of Champagne, and let the afternoon drift by. We LOVE seafood and LOVE this seafood counter. Even better if you visit on a Saturday and pair this with the HUGE Reims farmers market
Beyond Reims: Dining in Champagne Villages
When we design custom Champagne tours, we often take guests beyond Reims to villages like Hautvillers, Rilly-la-Montagne, and Épernay. Here you’ll find hidden gems, small family-run restaurants where you might be the only visitor among locals. The best part of being in the villages is that you are 15-30 minutes from Reims and you are SURROUNDED by vines! These meals are often the ones our clients remember most: rustic dishes, friendly service, and plenty of grower Champagne flowing at the table.
Chez Max (Magenta / near Épernay) — A family-run restaurant dating back to 1946, Chez Max offers a warm and convivial setting. Expect regional specialties like pink Champagne lentils, escargots, sole meunière, or a perfectly prepared steak tartare, all paired effortlessly with local bubbles. This is very close to Epernay so just a 10 minute drive to tasting at Champagne Moet et Chandon on our private chauffeur driven tour.
La Briqueterie (Vinay) — Set within a charming country hotel, La Briqueterie is known for its two restaurants: the refined Alcôve and a more relaxed bistrot. Seasonal menus highlight Champagne terroir, and the elegant dining room makes it an ideal stop for a leisurely gourmet meal in the countryside. We LOVE this countryside hamlet and bring people here often!!
Le Grand Cerf (Montchenot, near Reims) — A Michelin-starred gem in the Champagne countryside, Le Grand Cerf offers refined, creative French cuisine in an elegant yet intimate setting. It’s a perfect choice for travelers who want a gastronomic experience outside the bustle of Reims. We go here A LOT with our clients on private chauffeur driven tours around Reims. This is in between Reims and Eperany and we LOVE LOVE LOVE. It's Michelin star as well and very affordable.
Les Avisés (Avize) — Located at Jacques Selosse’s estate in Avize, Les Avisés combines refined modern cuisine with one of the most impressive grower Champagne lists in the region. Guests love the understated luxury and the thoughtful pairings that showcase some of Champagne’s finest terroirs. This is the best of the best small bistro, and the most famous champagne grower. This is a must visit! You can also stay here when on a chauffeur driven private tour with us, a more bonus!
La Cave à Champagne (Épernay) — A cozy, traditional spot in the heart of Épernay, La Cave à Champagne offers classic French dishes in a warm setting. It’s especially popular for hearty lunches or dinners after cellar tours, with a wine list heavy on local growers. We LOVE this for traditional food or even Au 36 for a wine bar in Hautvillers. Its the best to eat regional dishes only when in champagne!
The Sacré Burger (Épernay) — A playful, modern concept near the Avenue de Champagne, Sacré Burger serves gourmet burgers crafted with French ingredients and paired with — you guessed it — a glass of Champagne. It’s casual, fun, and a refreshing twist after a day of tastings. This is our friends husbands restaurant and its a fabulous French burger! Great if you have kids too, they will LOVE.
Prise de Mousse (Rilly-la-Montagne) — A local favorite in Rilly, Prise de Mousse charms guests with a menu that balances French tradition and creativity. Its intimate village setting makes it a great stop for those wanting to discover Champagne beyond the main cities.
Le Bacchus (Rilly-la-Montagne) — Known for its welcoming atmosphere, Le Bacchus offers rustic French cooking and generous portions. It’s the kind of place where you linger over a carafe of wine or a bottle of grower Champagne with the locals.
La Table du Petit Bonhomme (Rilly-la-Montagne) — A cozy bistro that feels like dining in a friend’s home. The cooking is hearty and unpretentious, and the atmosphere is friendly, giving guests a true sense of village life.
Château de Rilly (Rilly-la-Montagne) — Set within a restored 18th-century château, this restaurant offers elegant fine dining paired with estate wines and Champagnes. The picturesque gardens and refined service make it a destination meal during a tour. Gorgeous place to stay as well!
Le Relais de Sillery (Sillery) — A traditional French restaurant with a reputation for excellent fish and seafood, Le Relais de Sillery is a hidden gem in a quiet Champagne village. It’s a relaxed stop where local cuisine shines alongside regional wines.
Why Great Restaurants Belong in Your Champagne Tour
Wine and food go hand-in-hand. Visiting Champagne without experiencing its restaurants is like tasting only half the story. By weaving in these dining experiences, your tour becomes not just about what’s in your glass, but also about the flavors on your plate, the people behind them, and the way Champagne is meant to be enjoyed: together, around a table. Also most houses take a break from 12pm-2pm so you must stop as well and why not do it with amazing food paired with champagne?
At Tasty Side to Life Tours, we design Champagne itineraries that balance cellar visits, village exploration, and restaurant experiences tailored to your tastes. Whether you’re dreaming of Michelin stars or cozy bistros, we’ll make sure your journey through Champagne is unforgettable.
Plan Your Champagne Food & Wine Adventure
If dining your way through Reims and Champagne sounds like your kind of trip, we’d love to help. Reach out to us to create a custom Champagne tour that includes not only the best bubbles, but also the meals that bring this incredible and gorgeous region to life at tastysidetolifetours@gmail.com or https://www.tastysidetolifetours.com/
