r/brussels • u/Legitimate_Frame_683 • 2d ago

Question ❓ Fancy restaurant for 30th birthday

Hello😊would you have any suggestions for a restaurant in Brussels to celebrate my 30th birthday? I can also go outside Brussels if really worth it . Thank you !

8 Upvotes

79% Upvoted

41 comments sorted by

17

u/tropictonic 2d ago

Humus x Hortonse is amazing! It has a Michelin star, it's delicious and the space is beautiful, but they are also very nice!

12

u/Obvious-Cry6591 2d ago

To be clear this is a rare vegetarian michelin star. Not a bad thing but to prevent surprises

4

u/tropictonic 2d ago

Oh yes, of course, should have mentioned it! It's even vegan! But every dish is exceptional, very thought through, local ingredients, often part of the circular circuit with other local vendors.

9

u/Teragon92 2d ago

Funny, of all the Michelin restaurants I did, Humus x Hortense is the only one I thought absolutely did not deserve its Michelin star. So much so I bothered to write to the Michelin guide. While the food was good, there was quite a few remixes of the same dishes through the course, servings of the wines were pitiful, the service was abysmal by Michelin standard, all in a cramped, hot setting. Maybe it was a bad day, but I’m never setting a foot there ever again. I’ve had better service in regular brasseries.

4

u/tropictonic 2d ago

Really? I've done a couple of Michelin restaurants, and it was my favourite! I've been several times now, and never felt like it was cramped, so probably does depend on the day...

3

u/Teragon92 2d ago

If it was just the small space, that would have been fine, but there was no airco and it was hot as hell when I went, which was really uncomfortable. But really, it’s the service that bothered me. We waited way too long to even get some water, and during the whole service they kept bumping into each other, making mistakes, forgetting what they were supposed to tell us when serving the dishes. Having to take my cuterly from the table myself I was on the fence, could have been quirky but next to the lack of disciplined staff it just felt sloppy. I knew the financial advisor of Comme Chez Soi, a long time ago, and went dining there with him several times. He talked about staff training, and the rigor and was keeping an eye on them at all times when we were there. It’s an essential part of the Michelin experience IMO, the chef and the food of course, but the staff can make or break the experience. They broke it for me.

1

u/electricien_bruxello 1d ago

I have little knowledge of the industry so it might be standard, but I've heard they treat the staff like shit.

11

u/artbarsa 2d ago

La bonne chère. Absolute gem

1

u/myothercarisayoshi 2d ago

Agreed. Surprised it didn't pick up a star already

2

u/artbarsa 2d ago

Me too ! But better, when they receive one suddenly a lot of people will want to go and it will be forever booked

3

u/myothercarisayoshi 2d ago

Very true. I managed to eat at Barge before their first star and it was glorious but only half full. These days it's rammed (and good for them).

6

u/Teragon92 2d ago

Air du temps if you’re willing to go to Eghezee is a superbe fine dining experience. In Brussels, you’ve got Villa Lorraine that’s great as well. Comme Chez Soi is nice too but more traditional, more focus on Belgian fine cuisine, less of an experience. More affordable but great as well is Sanzaru in Tervuren. My choice would be Air du temps, and book a room for the night so you can take the wine pairing and enjoy the breakfast in the morning with a view of the garden in the morning light.

3

u/Letsforbidadds 2d ago

Air du temps is definitely worth the trip!! The chef is a genius

5

u/FullMudder 2d ago

Bozar, Barge, Le Chalet de la Foret have been among my favourite fancy restaurants in Brussels.

Neon in Lier, EED in Leuven and Atelier Noun in Bertem are worth the trip.

3

u/Mofaluna 2d ago

EED is a real gem

5

u/Neltadouble 2d ago

How fancy? What's the budget?

2

u/Legitimate_Frame_683 2d ago

I don’t have a budget so I can go as crazy as I want

5

u/myothercarisayoshi 2d ago

Well in that case... La Paix has recently moved meaning it is no longer on the Michelin guide. It used to be a 2 star place for many years so no doubt will remain top quality -- it is the same team just in a new location. Worth a visit

1

u/Mofaluna 2d ago

And the location is pretty awesome. I’d be surprised though if they lost their stars because of a relocation.

1

u/myothercarisayoshi 2d ago

Check the guide - La Paix is no longer listed since it moved. This is normal practice as far as I am aware. I'm sure it will re earn them in the next two years but Brussels is technically down to two 2 Star establishments right now.

1

u/Mofaluna 1d ago

Yes, the way their website formulates it - a new chapter - they may indeed not have their stars for the moment. Prices are still on par though.

https://www.corinthia.com/en-gb/brussels/la-paix/

4

u/Ancient_Bobcat_9150 2d ago

Quartz is very nice and cosy. I think you can book a chef's table.

5

u/NuSuntTroll 2d ago

Wanna go super crazy? Go for a multi-course menu at La Villa in The Sky on Avenue Louise.

1

u/FullMudder 1d ago

The Villa in the The Sky setting is really cool, but the prices are super inflated for the quality of food/service in comparable Michelins imo.

5

u/AcademicConfidence84 2d ago

What kind of food you like?

I liked Seino in Uccle very much.

3

u/PatternzS 2d ago

Atelier Noun in Bertem.

3

u/bobburger100 2d ago

Bistro Bobo: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tanTiBGqvGvrYLnP7?g_st=ic

Le Monde est Petit is another great one.

2

u/Mofaluna 2d ago

Surprisingly enough not mentioned yet is Eliane by Kobe Desmaraults. https://www.elianerestaurant.be/

As he tends to move around, it’s a real opportunity if you go for that price range.

2

u/PhysicalPomegranate9 2d ago

La Buvette in Saint-Gilles

2

u/Legitimate_Frame_683 1d ago

Thank you all for the suggestions 😁

2

u/LetterheadNo731 1d ago

I got a dinner at a one star restaurant for my round birthday, and discovered that... I don't like fancy places:) The drudgery of almost 4 hour long dinner (it was a set menu with wine selection) where food arrives in bite size portions with some mysterious foam or dust on top, and you have to listen to blah blah from the waiter about how fancy it is, and then wait for the new bite... Interesting to try once, but not for me.

I enjoy the food and the atmosphere so much more in a simpler place like Colonel, good steak and dessert:)

Tram experience was also nice, more for the setting than for the food.

2

u/lavingan 1070 2d ago

Tram Experience?

1

u/KittenWarriorr 2d ago

Good to know, I'm also turning 30 in 2 weeks and these are fantastic recommendations!

1

u/FerTheFox 1d ago

Petricor: a restaurant that opened this summer and that is still a Brussels' hidden gem (for now)

1

u/too_legit-2quit 1d ago

Comme Chez Soi is an incredible dining experience. The food, service, wine, atmosphere are all worth the price tag for a special dinner!

1

u/serious_saint 13h ago

Try Umami in Antwerp, you will forget this experience.

1

u/Wombatsarecute 2d ago

I really like Old Boy

0

u/dontreachyvngbl00d 1d ago

Kamo in ch. de waterloo if you like Jap