After two successful years in Pétange, Marie Doumbé has brought her restaurant Chez Doudou to Luxembourg City – marking not just a change of location, but a culinary evolution as well.
Now housed in the redesigned former “Sapori” space in the Eich district, the Cameroon-born chef blends her heritage with a modern, refined concept of African fusion cuisine – and with ambition: already awarded 12 out of 20 points by Gault&Millau, she is aiming even higher in her new setting.
From Bookkeeping to the Kitchen
Marie Doumbé’s path to the professional kitchen was anything but conventional. Trained as a bookkeeper, she quickly realised that numbers weren’t her passion. Her heart led her to the culinary world – first to patisserie, then to the stove. After stints in Liège and Luxembourg, including at Parc Le’h, she opened Chez Doudou in Pétange in September 2023. The restaurant’s success – particularly in the evenings – confirmed her vision: African flavours, reinterpreted with elegance and tailored to a European palate.
A Fresh Start in Eich – with an Open Kitchen and Terrace
Since May 2025, Chez Doudou has found a new home at Place François-Joseph Dargent in Eich, in the space formerly occupied by the Italian restaurant Sapori. The premises have been completely transformed: an open kitchen, bright interior, 49 seats indoors and 16 on the terrace. “I wanted to step out of the isolation of the kitchen and connect with my guests directly,” Doumbé says. The lunch menu (two courses for €30, three for €38) changes weekly, while the evening menu is renewed monthly.
Cameroonian Roots – and So Much More
While her dishes are deeply inspired by her Cameroonian grandmother, Doumbé doesn’t serve folklore. Her cuisine is a graceful fusion of African flavours – from Ivory Coast to Morocco, Ghana to the Caribbean. She uses authentic ingredients like palm nuts, kola nut, fermented cassava or real charcoal powder, but prepares them with European finesse – often alongside premium fish such as cod or sea bream. “I want to show that African cuisine can also be refined and modern – not just heavy or rustic,” she explains. She deliberately avoids excessive spice or overly rich sauces.
A New Chapter with a Clear Vision
Expectations are higher in Luxembourg City, and competition is tougher – but Doumbé welcomes the challenge: “I want to grow, and for that, I need a demanding environment.” The new location brings her closer to her clientele – many of her former regulars from Pétange have followed her. With a small but dedicated team, she is working to impress not only the critics at Gault&Millau, but most importantly, her guests.
Chez Doudou
11, place François-Joseph Dargent
L-1413 Luxembourg (Eich)
Tue–Sat: 12:00–14:00 & 19:00–22:30
Closed Sunday & Monday
chezdoudou.lu
