Top 10 culinary specialities in Amiens

In the Top 3 of things that make Amiens famous, there’s of course the medieval cathedral, the hortillonnages and, last but not least, the gastronomy. However, this last point deserves to be better known! The lack of publicity for Amiens’ culinary specialities is probably due to a lack of knowledge about Picardy in the broadest sense of the term.

Logically, the media spotlight is generally focused more to the north, around the Lille area.

Yet the influence of the two Hauts-de-France regions on their gastronomy is undeniable. They are renowned for their simple, yet tasty, local cuisine. Basic” ingredients, ingeniously blended and full of gourmet delights in the purest local tradition.

In short, Amiens gastronomy has the flavour of childhood, as in the days of “our grandmothers”.

In Amiens, you can also forget about diet food! Here, at the bottom of a pan, there’s butter and that’s that. Followed by local fruit and vegetables, grown closer than you think! Just take a trip to the Hortillonnages – the floating vegetable garden that supplies local restaurants – to see the pretty colours of the old vegetables. The Bay of the Somme and its delicious seafood are also nearby.

What to eat in Amiens Our selection of 10 Amiens specialities

Where do the products on an Amiens plate come from? As we all know, Picardy is a flat, vast and fertile land. Abundant harvests are favoured by a humid climate, regularly punctuated by long periods of rain. This humidity makes cows and cheese lovers happy. All this produce gives the region a superb variety of fresh products, which you’ll find in most recipes from Amiens.

1. Picardy string cheese

Ficelle picarde is definitely the signature dish of Amiens and, more broadly, of Picardy. Concocted in 1955 by chef Marcel Lefebvre, ficelle continues to delight locals and visiting epicureans alike. A good ficelle consists of a light pancake topped with finely sliced mushrooms, sautéed with shallots and white wine. The mushrooms are then wrapped in a slice of white ham, drizzled with crème fraîche and baked au gratin with grated Emmental cheese. The original recipe is protected by the Confrérie des Compagnons de la ficelle picarde. In Amiens, you can laugh at anything, but not at ficelle!

2. Duck pâté en croûte

In Picardy, there’s never a bad time to spread a little pâté on crusty bread! Among the local pâtés and terrines, the most famous, specialised in Amiens – and loved by all – is the pâté de canard en croûte. While the original recipe involved a whole duck, Amiens pork butchers now prepare it using boned duck. The bird is stuffed with a mixture of meat, foie gras and apple sauce. The whole thing is then baked in the oven, surrounded by a crust of golden pastry, not puff pastry but shortcrust pastry. Pâté de canard en croûte is an irresistible speciality to enjoy as a starter, accompanied by a small salad.

3. Picardy cheeses

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Rabotte, Tricorne Picarde, Rollot, Tomme au foin or au cidre de Picardie… The region’s cheesemakers are so zealous! Cheese is a distinctly French pleasure, and Amiens’ gastronomy puts it to good use. Order a cheese board to share, or follow the advice of one of the region’s cheese-makers to find out more. Soft or creamy cheeses and cow’s milk cheeses will undoubtedly be the favourites of the selection.

4. Oysters

The Baie de Somme and its delicious seafood are just a few beats away from the Picardy capital. Seafood is a regular feature on the menu. Among them the famous Baie de Somme oysters, which the people of Amiens are crazy about. There’s nothing too far-fetched about tasting them: some fine local oysters, a squeeze of lemon, a good glass of wine and that’s it!

5. Moules marinières with chips

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There are many similarities between the culinary specialities of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais and those of Picardy. Starting with the omnipresence of seafood! Following on from the arrivals from the Baie de Somme, you’ll find Bouchot mussels on the menu of every local restaurant. There are many different sauces, each more delicious than the last. But nothing beats a litre or two of Moules Marinières. Cooked in white wine and celery (and other herbs), they are a real treat. Accompanied by a generous plate of fresh fried potatoes, which only Northerners know how to cook. A real local speciality, well worth the diversions.

6. Chocolate tiles

Fancy a sweet treat? Go in search of these typically Picardy chocolate sweets, which originated in the 20th century. You’ll find tuiles of roasted almonds and dark or milk chocolate scattered around Amiens town centre. The special feature of Amiens tiles is that the entire tile dough is replaced by chocolate! A more recent variant includes candied orange peel in the preparation. Just imagine the level of indulgence…

7. The beaten cake

This is the star brioche of the Picardy region! Even the locals don’t hesitate to confess to the excess of goodness that goes into it. The beaten cake is made with a large quantity of egg yolk and butter. The dough is beaten for a long time (as the name suggests) to make it softer and airier than a traditional brioche. The cake is then baked in a large fluted mould, which gives it its distinctive chef’s hat shape. The beaten cake is an emblem of Picardy viennoiserie, a favourite for all occasions, starting with a hearty breakfast.

8. The Amiens macaroon

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Amiens macaroons are probably the city’s most famous speciality. Where does this craze come from? From their history, from the registered trademark “Macaron d’Amiens” in 1989 to the grand prize for “best regional speciality” at the Intersuc international trade fair in 1992. Yes, but above all their flavour! These sweet little blocks have a firm, slightly grainy texture – pure deliciousness. In the mouth, they release a delicious almond flavour. Some Amiens artisans add honey or a fruity touch to their preparations: candied fruit, apricot marmalade or apple compote. The Maison Trognon is one of the leading manufacturers of this local delicacy! Trogneux macaroons have won over the people of Amiens thanks to their intense almond flavour, due to the sweet almond oil and bitter almonds they contain.

9. Beer crêpes

Crepes hold a very special place in the hearts of the people of Amiens (dixit la ficelle picarde). Just like the crêpe à la vergeoise in Lille, the crêpe à la bière in Amiens, topped with sugar, is a pleasure you just can’t live without! For a snack on the way home from school, on a terrace after a shopping trip or as a theme for an evening out with friends: the people of Amiens are crazy about crêpes. To give the batter that special flavour, some add a little lager to the milk, while others replace it altogether! You can enjoy one, two or three fluffy crêpes on the terrace of most of the restaurants and bistros in Amiens. It’s up to you to choose which one does them best.

10. La Bière

Northern France is synonymous with beer, and Amiens is no exception. On the contrary, Amiens bars boast superb selections of beers: blonde, brown, white or amber, there’s something for everyone. You’ll recognise beers from the North by their pronounced flavour. Always to be enjoyed in moderation, Amiens beers go perfectly with most local specialities.