Brasserie Le Coq Rouge

Le Coq Rouge in Helsingborg is a restaurant I have had my eye on for a long time – and this summer evening it was time to find out whether it could deliver genuine brasserie atmosphere and classic French food of the kind you know from Paris. Happily, the experience lived up to expectations.

The restaurant sits in the centre of Helsingborg and offers seating both indoors and out. We chose to sit outside – an obvious choice in the mild weather, and you still get a sense of the restaurant’s classic style and the cosy atmosphere around you.

The menu is clearly inspired by the French brasserie – no modern reinterpretations or clever techniques, just solid dishes you know and love. I started with chèvre chaud – the warm goat’s cheese I always order when I see it on a menu. Here it was served entirely classically: warm, lightly caramelised, with salad and a touch of acidity to balance the richness. Simple but good – and exactly how that kind of starter should be.

For my main I chose confit duck – another French classic, prepared here just as it should be. The meat was tender and juicy with a crisp edge, served with a creamy sauce and classic accompaniments. Again, no surprises, but the craftsmanship was sound.

We also ordered escargots – six of them, with plenty of garlic and parsley butter – and an entrecôte with sauce Café de Paris. Both hit the mark and felt like a trip to France without leaving Skåne.

For wine we went with a glass of Martel & Co Brut Prestige Champagne – a fine companion to the starter and a good way to set the tone for the evening – and we finished with fondant au chocolat and a splash of Cointreau. It is always a pleasure when a restaurant sticks to the classics and does them properly – and Le Coq Rouge did.

The service was attentive and friendly – never overdone, but present in just the right way. We felt well looked after, and the pace of the meal suited the mood perfectly.