Les Caves Saint-Michel occupies a brasserie-style space on the place Saint-Michel in central Reims, in the Champagne region of Grand Est. The restaurant has built a strong local reputation around a single distinguishing feature: a champagne-by-the-glass programme covering more than 30 producers at any given time, making it the most comprehensive on-the-glass selection in the city. The food is classic French brasserie cooking assembled around the champagne focus: sole meunière is elevated with a champagne-butter finish, a steak tartare de bœuf arrives hand-chopped and well-seasoned, and the millefeuille maison closes the meal with genuine kitchen craft. The dining room is elegant in a Champagne way — high ceilings, champagne-house lithographs on the walls, white tablecloths, and a busy, convivial atmosphere. The restaurant is popular with staff from the great champagne houses nearby — Taittinger, Ruinart, Veuve Clicquot — and their familiarity with the by-the-glass list adds to the authenticity of the wine programme. Mains cost between €18 and €32. The full meal with two glasses of champagne keeps the bill at a manageable level for a mid-range brasserie dinner. Reservations are recommended for evening service, particularly on Friday and Saturday, while lunch is more accessible to walk-ins.
Signature dishes
- Sole meunière au champagne
- Tartare de bœuf
- Millefeuille maison
Good to know
- Known for
- Elegant brasserie with a champagne-by-the-glass menu covering 30+ producers; popular with champagne house staff
- Hours
- Daily 12:00–14:30 & 19:00–22:30
- Reservations
- Recommended for dinner
Location
1 place Saint-Michel, 51100 Reims
49.2575, 4.0326 View on map
Highlights
- Champagne by-the-glass programme covering 30+ producers — the widest selection in any Reims restaurant
- Popular with champagne house staff from Taittinger, Ruinart, and Veuve Clicquot nearby
- Sole meunière au champagne — the kitchen's signature main, matching the beverage focus of the room
- Central Reims location on the place Saint-Michel, close to the main champagne house cellars
- Classic millefeuille maison: a reliable and well-executed patisserie finish to the meal
Tips for visiting
- Ask the sommelier or server to walk through the current by-the-glass list — it changes regularly and varies by house and vintage
- The lunch formule (typically €25–€32) with a glass of champagne is excellent value compared to dinner
- Sole meunière is best ordered when sole is in peak season (autumn and winter); ask staff about daily fish availability
- A seat at the bar is available for solo diners wanting the full wine experience without a table reservation
- Book two days ahead for Friday and Saturday evenings; weekday dinner is usually walk-in friendly
When to visit
Year-round; the champagne-by-the-glass programme makes it relevant in every season. Autumn and winter for the sole meunière and richer brasserie dishes.
Accessibility
The brasserie is on the ground floor with access from the place Saint-Michel. The interior has standard brasserie table spacing. Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the restaurant in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the champagne-by-the-glass list notable?
The restaurant maintains a rotating selection of 30 or more champagnes available by the glass, spanning grandes maisons and grower-producers. This depth is unusual even by Reims standards and reflects the restaurant's relationship with the local champagne trade.
Is the food worth visiting for on its own?
Yes — the kitchen delivers reliable classic French brasserie cooking above the average for the city. The wine focus does not come at the expense of the food, and dishes like the sole meunière and millefeuille maison are prepared with genuine skill.
What is the price range?
Mains cost €18 to €32. A full meal with two glasses of champagne runs approximately €50–€70 per person, making it an accessible mid-range brasserie by Reims standards.
Is the restaurant suitable for champagne novices?
Ideal — the staff are knowledgeable and happy to guide through the list. The breadth of the by-the-glass programme allows side-by-side comparisons between houses and styles without committing to a full bottle.
Is the restaurant wheelchair accessible?
The brasserie is on the ground floor with standard street-level access. Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the restaurant to confirm table access.