With its old-fashioned solid wood tables and mismatched recovered chairs, l’Estaminet has a quaint charm only found in traditional brown cafés. This is a welcoming place where you can choose to pay the regular – extremely affordable – price for each item on the menu, or a ‘fair’ price (50 cents more) that supports the local community.

The entire menu is organic and vegetarian. They serve simple but mouthwatering seasonal dishes, homemade soup, sandwiches, pastries, and local beers. Once a month, they serve a ‘fair lunch’ for only 2€. Every third Thursday of the month you can enjoy a performance by a local band, usually an acoustic duet. The details can be found on their Facebook page.

I love the fact that they are a cooperative structure working hand in hand with the inhabitants and local non-profit organizations so that anyone can volunteer to participate in the project. Solidarity is their watchword, with a focus on environmentally friendly, socially responsible actions such as promoting fair trade or organizing events that benefit the community.

L’Estaminet has its own terrace going up to the Maison des Arts. Take a stroll in the beautiful garden after your lunch or come back in the evening to take advantage of their special nights: ‘Drink and Draw’, conversation tables, concerts, readings, etc. L’Estaminet is the perfect place for a friendly tête-à-tâte, a relaxing lunch, or an after-work event.