Strasbourg - Eating And Drinking

For the classic Strasbourg eating experience, you have to go to a winstub , usually translated as a "wine bar", a cosy establishment with bare beams, panels and benches, and a noisy, convivial atmosphere. In the classic version there is a special table set aside for the patron 's buddies and regulars. The food tends towards choucroute , tarte à l'oignon , knuckle of pork and horseradish and ham en croûte : the Alsatian classics, washed down with local wines. Place du Marché-Gayot behind the cathedral is full of cafés , most open until late, and there is a good selection of restaurants in rue du Faubourg Saverne.

Restaurants
La Bourse , place de Lattre-de-Tassigny (tel 03.88.36.40.53). Quite a sedate brasserie, in agreeable, spacious surroundings across the river in the direction of place de l'Étoile. Menus 50-200F/¬7.62-30.49 (50F/¬7.62 lunchtime menu). Closed Mon & Wed lunch.

Les 3 Brasseurs , 22 rue des Veaux. Wonderful winstub , which brews its own beer: the enormous copper brewing equipment is part of the decor. Tarte flambée from 30F/¬4.57. Other Alsatian specialities available. Happy hour 5-7pm.

La Choucrouterie , 20 rue St-Louis, by the church of St-Louis, just across Pont St-Thomas (tel 03.88.36.52.87). Choucroute specialist with menus at 150-220F/¬22.87-33.54, plats from about 75F/¬11.43. Cabaret acts. Closed Sun & first two weeks Aug.

Flam's , 1 rue de l'Epine, and another at cnr of rues des Frères & du Faisan (tel 03.88.75.77.44). Tarte flambée restaurant, very popular with locals. A good place to sample the local speciality with the 73.50F/¬11.21 all-you-can-eat tarte flambée menu (plus dessert). Meals from 34F/¬5.18.

Gurtlerhoft , 13 place de la Cathédrale (tel 03.88.75.00.75). Downstairs, away from the crowds and very seductive. Not as expensive as it looks. Menus from 89F/¬13.57.

Poêles de Carottes , 2 place des Meuniers (tel 03.88.32.33.23). Good vegetarian restaurant in the picturesque quarter of Petite France. Lunch 59F/¬8.99, dinner 108F/¬16.46. Closed Sun.

La Robe des Champs , 4 rue de l'Écurie (tel 03.88.22.36.82). Potato-fanciers will enjoy the variety of things they can do - inexpensively - with the spud here. Menu 39-150F/¬5.95-22.87. Closed lunchtimes Sat & Sun, last week in July & first week in Aug.

Le Saint-Sépulcre , 15 rue des Orfèvres, off rue des Hallesbardes (tel 03.88.32.39.97). Traditional winstub . Menu 90-160F/¬13.72-24.39. Closed Sun & Mon & first fortnight in July.

La Victoire , 24 quai des Pêcheurs (tel 03.88.35.39.35). A winstub , worth experiencing for its lively student ambience rather than the food. Menu from 100F/¬15.24, plats 44F/¬6.71. Closed Sat evening, Sun & first three weeks in Aug.

Winstub Strissel , 5 place de la Grande-Boucherie (tel 03.88.32.14.73). Winstub with Alsatian fare and a menu at 64-125F/¬9.76-19.06 (70F/¬10.67 or more per plat ). Closed Sun, Mon & one week in Feb & July.

Zür Zehnerglock , 4 rue du Vieil-Hôpital, near the cathedral (tel 03.88.32.87.09). Quality food and a little live music to sweeten the digestion on Fri. Menu 90-120F/¬13.72-1.29, plats around 75F/¬11.43. Closed Sun & Mon.

Cafés and bars
Académie de la Bière , 17 rue Adolphe-Seyboth, near the church of St-Pierre. Strasbourg's most famous bierstub . Open daily till 4am.

Café Brant , place Sebastian-Brant. Atmospheric café close to the University. Outdoor tables make it perfect for summer meals.

Montmartre , 6 rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons (tel 03.88.32.40.58). Shiny Parisian-style café near the cathedral.

Monte-Carlo , quai Turkheim. Hip gay bar, with performances and club nights.

Opéra Café , place Broglie. Stylish and friendly café next door to the theatre. Outdoor tables (no plastic chairs in sight). Open even when the theatre season is over.

Rive Gauche , cnr rue Marie Kuss & quai St-Jean. Brasserie-style café, with a Parisian ambience.

La Salamandre , 3 rue Paul-Janet (tel 03.88.25.79.42). A popular bar (free entrance) famous for its rock concerts (tickets 50-120F/¬7.62-18.29) and theme nights (20-30F/¬3.05-4.57).

Tapas Café , south of Petit France, cross the Pont des Moulins and you'll see it next to the fire station. Cool Spanish bar, with wonderful, affordable tapas.

Troc' Café , 8 rue du Faubourg de Saverne (tel 03.88.23.23.29). Easy-going café often hosting concerts or theme nights. Also does a good brunch. Closed Sun.