L'Etoiles d'Or - Rouen

If, like me, you are looking for a restaurant where the food, NOT the fixtures, does the talking then look no further. This warm, friendly, family run restaurant is home to great North African food their Tagine combinations make it a challenge to narrow your choice. But whatever you choose, you can be assured of an authentic taste experience. Sit outside (if the weather allows) and soak in the sights and sounds of this delightful corner of Rouen.

It was Monday (first night in Rouen and restaurants are typically closed. Our host, Aminata, recommended this restaurant knowing it was open on Mondays and had the best couscous in Rouen. She was absolutely correct! We would not have ventured in except for her recommendation. It is family owned, son now the owner and youngest daughter, Sarah (or Zara waited on us. She guided us through the meal, spoke good English (although I do speak some French!! and just was an overall lovely person. We had lamb kebabs which were wonderful. Instead of ice cream for dessert she said to us: why have ice cream that you can get anywhere. Please try our dessert tray . It also didn 't disappoint along with Moroccan tea we had! We ended the evening chatting with her about her family and how her dad came from Morocco without family and eventually purchase the restaurant 30 years ago! We will remember this evening as a highlight of our France trip!

We were staying at the Mercure in Rouen, Champs de Mars, on a wet, cold, dreary Sunday evening. The hotel restaurant had one sad rep sitting alone at his table, and we didn 't fancy warmed up, overpriced food, so we went for a quick scout round and found l 'Etoile d 'or. It 's never going to win accolades for its cooking or its ambience but it was a warm restaurant, with a friendly patron. The couscous, tagine and pastries were all very tasty and very generously portioned. I also tried a half bottle of some 'interesting ' Algerian wine. There were a good number of diners, always a good sign, and not a few takeaway customers too. The wine, a cocktail, two mains and two deserts with tea and coffee was only just over 50 euros. Brilliant winter warmer!

A good time for family sharing! Delicious couscous

Very good duck. Next time I try the tajine!