Café d'Hautvillers sur Hautvillers

A lovely stop if you are driving the Champagne Route!

An experience that nearly turned into a nightmare… before being saved by truly excellent food. We were a group of 15 people, arriving with about ten classic cars, as part of an organized outing. The reservation had been made more than two weeks in advance, with several phone calls to confirm it. Yet, upon arrival, we were told that there was no reservation under our name. We were even nearly turned away at the entrance. The waitress then informed us that she was calling the owner, who was supposed to arrive “in two minutes.” The result: more than 20 minutes of waiting in the blazing sun, with 15 people who were understandably starting to lose patience, especially since some of them were elderly. As organizers, it was frankly not a pleasant situation to manage. Fortunately, the owner finally arrived and immediately acknowledged the mistake: the reservation had been entered a week late. He apologized and finally found a solution to seat us. And this deserves to be emphasized, because many would have simply shifted the blame elsewhere. Honesty is appreciated. One small regret, though: after such a long wait and the stress it generated, a small gesture of goodwill—even a symbolic one—would have been appreciated, even if it was just a coffee or a digestif offered to the organizers. Another slightly complicated point, but one that is obviously not the restaurant's fault: we had come with ten classic cars, and there isn't really any suitable parking nearby. We had to park more than a kilometer away, which isn't ideal for this kind of outing. And one thing must also be acknowledged: the place is a victim of its own success. Seeing the long line at the entrance and the barriers put in place can give a somewhat "factory-like" impression, but it mainly shows how popular the establishment is. But then… once seated, everything else was forgotten. The food is simply excellent. The tartares were impeccably fresh despite the intense heat, the grilled meats were perfectly cooked, the portions were generous, the wine was decent, and the setting was pleasant. Honestly, we received almost exclusively positive feedback from the entire group. This just goes to show that even after a very difficult start, quality cuisine and an owner who admits his mistakes can salvage the experience. Fiatissimo

We were here 2 years ago as well; it was a bit less impressive back then. Now it's top-notch: delicious food, customer-friendly service, and good value for money. Highly recommended

Very beautiful place to stop and have a meal at. Reasonable prices, and food is amazing. Highly recommend!

Beautiful and large terrace in the center where we ordered a glass of wine. The house white wine was excellent and at a very reasonable price of 5.50 EUR per glass.

We loved the sunny terrace, great staff & ambiance!

Clearly, the Easter weekend was underestimated in terms of organization; the service was deplorable despite the very good food.

Excellent traditional French dishes! Quality champagne and a lovely location in the village center. Friendly and smiling staff. Highly recommended!

We had a truly delicious meal with, of course, bubbles. It was very busy, so reservations are essential. Friendly staff, but sometimes the wait is a bit longer due to the crowds.

I'm a regular at this restaurant and I've never been disappointed, whether in winter or summer when the influx of tourists is impressive. I ordered our Valentine's Day meal there and it was a real treat for €90, including two glasses of Champagne. Unbeatable value for money. We'll gladly return.