Le Café des Sports

Tucked away behind a concrete facade from the 1950s adorned with gold lettering, things might appear a little faded at first glance (yellowed wooden walls, khaki-colored faux leather banquettes, globe light fixtures and a foosball table at the entrance), but we still think Le Café des Sports looks great. But if it draws in the city’s most demanding drinkers, it’s above all for the stellar selection of natural wine and craft beer. Two beverage options, two different atmospheres, either around refrigerated case full of wines from here and elsewhere (Dessous de Table, a 2019 Auxerrois-Sylvaner from Catherine Riss for €27.50, La R’vole, a 2020 Gamay from Michel Guignier for €37) or from behind the bar, where a dozen local beers are poured on tap – like À l’ombre des Pensées, a white IPA from the Bendorf brewery (€4 for a half-pint). To go with it all, there are good artisanal platters of charcuterie and farm-fresh cheese, or more elaborate dishes that don’t disappoint: Simmental beef tataki marinated in soy sauce, ginger, garlic and lemongrass, Alsatian knack sausages cooked in beer… // François Larosé 

The bullet-proof bottle: Grand Cru Zotzenberg, a 2017 Pinot gris from André Kleinknecht (€48).