Bib Gourmand: 6 affordable Michelin-rated restaurants in Liège, Belgium

Price range per person €19 — €54

Located in the heart of Liège down a peaceful pedestrian street, Le Bistrot d'En Face offers an enchanting dining experience reminiscent of a classic bouchon lyonnais, typical restaurants in France famous for their authentic Lyonnaise dishes. You can choose to have your meal al fresco on the charming terrace or inside their old mansion with the setting that radiates a warm, nostalgic atmosphere.

Enjoy a dappling of local cuisine woven from the freshest quality products, reflecting the culinary spirit of both Belgium and France: snail casserole with garlic butter flambéed with absinthe, confit of duck served with potatoes Sarladaisies, oxtail parmentier, or calf's head. Don't miss their signature Liège meatballs, lovingly served in a black casserole and known to be the best in the city. The dessert menu features sumptuous offerings like soft rum baba, thin apple tart, and delicate crème brûlée.

Price range per person €15 — €40

La Cuisine de Yannick is a cozy spot with a lively ambiance that captures the essence of a traditional Lyonnais bouchon setting. The atmosphere takes a delightful leap back in time with melodious French classics playing in the background and checkered tablecloths that add to the bistro feel.

Embracing the authenticity of homemade cooking, La Cuisine de Yannick serves a delicious array of dishes like roasted bone marrow, sautéed squid, duck spring roll, homemade croquettes, and veal kidneys with mustard. To accompany your meal, a handpicked selection of affordable wines awaits, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to your dining experience. End your visit on a sweet note with a variety of delectable desserts like tartlet filled with lime pastry cream and meringue and topped with raspberries or delicious rum baba.

Price: 3-course menu — €39

Imbuing a casual and convivial feel, La cantinetta is an Italian trattoria with warm ambiance, serving appetizing dishes at reasonable prices. On the menu — which changes biweekly in response to market shifts and seasonal local produce — you can anticipate the bold, generous flavors of Thomas and Matthias' authentic Italian cuisine, with Matthias delivering imaginative culinary twists learned and adapted from their mother's tutelage.

You can’t go wrong with grilled chicken supreme, croquettes a la ricotta, asparagus carbonara, or mackerel stuffed with a fresh and vibrant salsa verde. Save room for the refreshing finish of their dessert: orange polenta cake accompanied by Madagascar pepper and sheep's milk ricotta ice cream or cheese platter paired with mostarda. As the hosts, Thomas and Mathias ensure you are savvy to their meticulously sourced Italian wines — the final touch to a near-perfect dining experience.

Price range per person €28 — €54

Located in the picturesque Vennes district of Liege, Le Cabochon is celebrated for its delectable cuisine and hospitable team. Jean-Luc Daniel, the renowned head chef with a 20-year experience in the restaurant industry, utilizes his expertise gained from being a private culinary artist to foreign high nobility to create Mediterranean-inspired options at Le Cabochon. Known for his appearances on popular cooking shows such as Mission Cuisine, Mon Plat Préféré, and Fait maison on RTBF, he brings his vast experience into crafting exquisite dishes at the establishment.

The menu, which changes every week, features a variety of mouthwatering options: mussels with cherry tomatoes and chorizo, grey shrimp croquettes, fresh lobster pasta with crispy pancetta and green asparagus, or roasted pure Holstein filet with grilled lamb's lettuce. As part of the unique offerings, they also serve La Bluette, a blonde "Hoppy Ale” beer, the result of a partnership with Brasseries de Liege. This refreshing addition delivers a perfect balance of fruity and mildly bitter notes.

Price: 3-course menu — €42

Enoteca reigns supreme with a long-standing reputation of delivering delectable Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, a tradition it has upheld for three decades. With its wooden panels, atmospheric lighting, and pleasant colors, the restaurant buzzes with a friendly atmosphere and welcoming staff. Overseeing the culinary magic in the open kitchen is Chef Jean-Philippe Frenoy, whose two decades of experience ensure each dish is a visual and aromatic delight.

True to their commitment to fresh ingredients, Enoteca's menu boasts an array of options like farfalle with gray shrimps, Angus beef with polenta, catch of the day with artichokes and peas, or salad made of garden tomatoes, crispy buckwheat and green wheat. Pair the exquisite meals with a bottle from their extensive wine list to further enhance your dining experience.

Price: 5-course menu — €42

Housed in a rustic building, Magma impresses diners with its innovative fare and artistic setting, adorned with trendy light bulbs hanging from the ceiling. Headed by Tom Foguenne and Elisa Canovo, the restaurant specializes in instinctive and seasonal cuisine.

Their menu changes frequently based on the freshest offerings from the market and the creative whims of the chef, often resulting in unexpected but delightful dishes like potatoes with trout roe, sour cream, and samphire, or kale with orange and pickles. You also can’t go wrong with their homemade charcuterie, sweet and sour sardines, and tortellini with mushroom and black garlic broth. Magma also boasts an extensive selection of artisan wines and innovative cocktails made using spirits from Les Vintrépides in Liège.

While these 6 Michelin-rated spots deliver exceptional cuisine at affordable pricing in Liège, be sure to also explore our other guides featuring Bib Gourmand restaurants to discover the culinary gems scattered across Belgium's acclaimed tourist destinations, including Brussels and Bruges.