Le Lulay Al Copète

Known not only for its traditional Liègoise cuisine, but also the friendly husband and wife duo who run it, Le Lulay Al Copète is one of the top places to go if you'd like an honest taste of Liège.

Le Lulay Al Copète, seen from outside at night

This small restaurant is very centrally located just off the passage Lemonnier at 11 rue Lulay des Febvres, and inside the atmosphere is Liègois through and through.  Elisabeth and Vincent are welcoming, and fortunately for those who don't speak French, Vincent is more than happy to assist you in English!

Just as the décor references Liège in times more traditional, the food does too.  It's honestly prepared and served in a classic style for the region, meaning that most visitors are positively stuffed after an entrée and a main dish.  Even the salads are quite satisfying, each one containing an ample serving of protein. (Fortunately if you like you can order any salad in a smaller "entrée" size.)

A dish not to be missed: "Boulets à la Liègoise".  This is the "taste of home" for many Liègois.  The secret is in the Sirop de Liège, a regional product that imparts a unique depth and slight sweetness to the sauce.  Naturally, this is a dish that pairs very nicely with "frites mayonnaise" and Belgian beer.

Although many come for the boulets, Le Lulay is no one-trick pony.  Other tastes of Belgium you may wish to try include the pavés.  The beef used for these is of the "Blanc Bleu Belge" race, (one of the most muscular breeds of cattle we've seen, and as the name implies, this is a race developed in Belgium.

The very beefy Blanc Bleu Belge

For those willing to walk on the wilder side of anglophone tastes, Le Lulay also serves "Filet Americain", a melt-in-your mouth deliciously fresh combination of raw steak, ground and mixed with mayonnaise, capers, and raw egg, among other seasonings.  For those worried about eating raw meat: food purity and butchery standards in Belgium are very strict, which is why something like filet american can be prepared in so many restaurants here, with virtually no problems of food related illness.  Consider this "sushi-grade" beef.

One last point both tourists and Liègois can appreciate aside from the authenticity of the food or the warm ambiance of Le Lulay: the value.  The last time we were there, supper for the two of us (2 mains, 4 beer and 1 coffee) totaled less than 30 euro, and we both left feeling so full that we couldn't have eaten another bite!

Elisabeth will sometimes say to those who comment positively at the end of their meal: "We do this on purpose, we make it good so you'll come back!"  This philosophy of service has worked very well for the restaurant over the past 7 years it seems, the business doesn't seem to have suffered at all from the economic downturn and they are regularly busy.  As many locals do go back when they can, it's always a good idea to call ahead to reserve a table (phone: 04 222 0670)

Le Lulay is closed on Sundays, Mondays, as well as Thursday nights.
Click here to visit their website.