Le Lys has probably been the most anticipated opening in Luxembourg this year. Ever since Villa Pétrusse announced its comeback, everyone in the foodie world started whispering about what the restaurant would be. The location alone is enough to make anyone curious: perched in that dramatic, beautifully restored building, with views and interiors that feel more Paris than Luxembourg. You’re almost tempted to book a table just for the setting.

I had already visited Brasserie Ciel earlier in the year — also inside Villa Pétrusse — and while the room itself was stunning, I left unimpressed by both food and service. So when a friend casually mentioned (sometime back in August) that he managed to secure a table for Le Lys in November, I jumped on the wagon immediately. The waiting list, especially for tables of two, is infamous. People wait weeks. Sometimes months. So I knew this meal was going to be a bit of an event.

The Welcome – Champagne, Bites, and A Very Cinematic Start

The experience starts in a first, smaller room — almost like a salon — where you’re welcomed with an apéritif and three little “champagne bites.” They’re prepared in front of you, which sets the tone for the entire evening: polished, theatrical, intentional.

You also receive the menu here. There are three different menu lengths, all seasonal, and all designed as tasting journeys. You can add the optional wine pairing, the optional truffle supplement on one dish, or even elevate your main course to a Kobe beef version. We stayed classic: full menu, full wine pairing, no supplements.

After the bites, you’re taken to the main dining room — and wow. If Ciel is beautiful, Le Lys is another level. Chandeliers, baroque touches, a sense of grandeur that manages to feel warm rather than intimidating. Tables are quite close to each other, but the spectacle of the room makes you forget that quickly.

The Menu – Fast, Slow, and Everything in Between

The first half of the menu came very fast — almost too fast — but the dishes were genuinely enjoyable. I loved the mackerel with caviar (clean, elegant, well balanced), but my favourite was the sweetbread: rich, comforting, and surprisingly refined.

Then came one of the highlights of the evening: we were invited into the kitchen for a surprise stop. The chef is young, super cool, extremely welcoming, and honestly just a pleasure to meet. No ego, no stiffness — just passion and a big smile. In the room next to the kitchen we were served a surprise dish: a revisited version of the traditional Luxembourgish Kniddelen. Warm, fun, nostalgic without being heavy. I loved it.

Back in the main room, the rhythm finally slowed down — which I appreciated. Here the standout dish was definitely the doe, paired with cacao and wine. Deep flavours, slightly dramatic, very memorable.

Wine Pairing – Some Peaks, Some Dips

The wine pairing started strong. Then we had a Jura wine served while we were in the kitchen, which for me was a complete mismatch. After that, the reds were “fair” — fine, correct, nothing wrong but nothing exciting either — and then a beautiful sweet wine at the end that closed the pairing on a high note. So, a bit of a rollercoaster.

The Bill

For two people:
800€ total
→ Including: full menu + full pairing, 1 cheese supplement, 2 apéritifs, 2 coffees and 2 grappa.
So, 400€ per person.

Final Thoughts – Absolutely Worth Going, With a Little Room to Grow

Was the dinner good? Yes. Absolutely.
The dishes are creative but not crazy, beautifully plated, enjoyable to eat. The atmosphere is stunning — honestly one of the prettiest dining rooms in Luxembourg. The chef is a star in the making, and meeting him adds a personal touch to the evening.

But… at this price point, food alone isn’t enough. For me, the service still needs a bit of fine tuning. Nothing dramatic — just the kind of details that matter in a high-end experience:

• I wasn’t given the hand towel on arrival (my friend was).
• They don’t ask you to taste the apéritif; they just pour it.
• The early part of the meal was too fast — dishes arrived almost instantly.
• At the end, the departure felt rushed: chocolate handed over while we already had our coats on.
• And yes… there was no hand cream in the restrooms. Silly? Maybe, but in a place like this, those micro-details matter.

Still, Le Lys is an experience absolutely worth doing.
The food is good, a couple of dishes were truly “wow,” the setting is spectacular, and the chef is genuinely delightful. With just a bit more refinement in service, this place could easily become one of the most special dining experiences in Luxembourg.

Tags: Le Lys, Villa Pétrusse, fine dining, Luxembourg restaurants, tasting menu, wine pairing, restaurant review

📍 Le Lys – Villa Pétrusse, 1 Avenue Marie-Thérèse, L-2132 Luxembourg City