Le Croque Bedaine

While the brasseries along this stretch of Neudorf tend to hedge their bets with long, catch-all menus, Croque Bedaine does the opposite — it narrows down, doubles up on croque variations and craft-ish beers, and lets that focus do the talking. It's a different proposition from Aux Magots or Le Schluthfeld, and it knows it.

The lunch menu is the main event: generous croques, decent fries, and a price point that doesn't make you feel like you've been taken for a ride. For a casual weeknight dinner or a low-key business lunch where you want actual conversation instead of stiff tablecloths, this is your spot in Neudorf. The staff are genuinely friendly on most visits, and the vibe is the kind of relaxed that the neighborhood does well — unpretentious, social, a bit loud in a good way.

The beer selection is the other reason to show up. It's not a wall of obscure Belgian imports, but it goes well beyond the usual suspects — enough to make the apéro stretch into dinner without anyone complaining.

A few honest caveats: plastic cups have appeared on busier nights, which feels off given the prices. And more than one review flags that families with young children haven't always been made to feel welcome by staff — worth knowing before you plan a group outing with kids in tow. Service can also be stretched thin during peak hours.

Reservations are worth making for group dinners. Walk-ins are generally fine at lunch. Takeout is available if you'd rather eat along the Ill.