Ginko

Rating: 14.5
Author: Gault&Millau

70 Rue de l'Hôpital Militaire, 59800 Lille, France

14.5/20
Chef's Restaurant

BOOK

10 PHOTOS

Chef: Valentina Giacobbe
Cooking: French | Gastronomic | Local
Style: Elegant | Romantic | With family

Budget (€)

Indicative price per person (excl. drinks)

55 to 100

Gault&Millau's review 2026

That façade in downtown Lille—which we once described as unassuming—is no longer quite so unassuming. Word of mouth praising the talents of Valentina Giacobbe and Julien Ingaud-Jaubert has filled the reservation waiting lists. This growing reputation now matches the quality of the cuisine offered by this couple—who trained together at Gagnaire, Meurin, and Rozó—and they’ve taken the opportunity to expand their team and refine their hospitality and culinary experience. The menus, unchanged since the restaurant opened, reflect a high standard of excellence and adapt seamlessly to the seasons with ingredient selections in perfect harmony with top-tier local producers and suppliers—all while maintaining a deep respect for the environment, which remains at the heart of the team’s philosophy. The €55 lunch menu offers a chance to discover this elegant and refined cuisine, and the “Harmonie” menu—or its vegetarian version—at €79, as well as the “Ginko” menu at €100, are the perfect choices to fully enjoy this gastronomic journey infused with Asian flavors and the hostess’s childhood memories. Green asparagus with tarragon jus or seaweed gnocchetti precede a pearly cod served with perfectly crisp peas and an essential wild garlic hollandaise. The under-the-skin stuffed poultry is served alongside a peanut condiment and a celery ravioli before giving way to a strawberry-based dessert featuring a tender biscuit and a “lazy” cream—a sort of whipped panna cotta. Squid with leeks and sansho pepper, and kiwi with shiso, round out the experience. The techniques are masterful, the sauces and seasonings are often surprising, the desserts are expertly sweetened, and the flavors are pushed to their fullest potential. The wine list also offers its share of wonderful discoveries.