Belgium

The Devil's Chapel, an appellation that inevitably gives envy! Near Mont Noir, a few kilometres from the border, this superb tavern is located. The decoration impresses. Here a huge fresco represents a terribly sexy angel who turns his back on the Malin. There, gargoyles who watch the entrance, gueules wide open. Later, chandeliers come out of the walls, restrained by hands with a strong hand. The atmosphere that reigns here is different from At Jeannot, the café of the corner, you will have understood it! Yet all the ages, all the social environments are found there. We could have believed in an institution that essentially séduirait young people: not even. A solid reputation continues La Chapelle. The map is roast: small ribs, carbonade, stew, famous giant pasta, huge ice creams, etc. Choice in beer, beautiful special coffees. And of course, Belgian prices! An address that we recommend without hesitation!

Restaurant, scaling bench and caterer specialising in seafood... so far, nothing very original even in Wavre, 150 km from the coast. But the owner of the place had a good idea: to enlarge her restaurant by attaching a barge to it. We are transported on the waves! To perfect the impression of sailing, the crew dressed as trawler captains at lunchtime. The cook offers monthly suggestions where freshness and seasonality are paramount. A beautiful terrace and small garden for the river-sick monkeys.

Jean-Luc Collin's beautiful brasserie was born in the 1900s and was then called Café de l'Espérance. It honours the winegrowers with a hundred or so wines on the menu, including quite a few natural or biodynamic wines. Inside, there is a restaurant area, a brasserie area and an open kitchen where you can keep an eye on the brasserie or local dishes, good cuts of meat or offal such as brains and marrow bones. Non-stop scaling and take-away seafood, suggestions and excellent lunch. Pleasant and professional service.

Thierry Van Damme, who collects fine breweries like others collect classic cars, launched this one with his partner Michel Grenier. A brasserie overlooking the Meuse at the foot of the Luxembourg Bridge, it boasts a shellfish bench (oysters, mussels, clams, langoustines, North Sea shrimps...). The menu features regional classics: croquettes crevettes, entrecôte, américain, sole meunière, vol au vent... Afternoon drinks service only. In fine weather, superb outdoor terrace.

As with all trendy restaurants, chef Kim Devisschere operates on emotion and season: the menu is unique, changing every lunchtime and evening, like an invitation to culinary discovery. For a lunch menu, you can try lacquered veal cheeks, followed by brandade de morue au cognac, roasted carrots and chickpeas, and conclude with a nectarine cheesecake. In the evening, prices are higher but the menu is just as creative and spectacular. Vegetarian options are also available. Reservations are essential, as places are scarce.

Giant clock, suspended passageways, old drawer cabinets and above all this lively brewery atmosphere. A magnificent setting for a kitchen where oysters, fish, seafood and regional recipes are put in the spotlight. The menu changes twice a year and plays transparency with the traceability of the products. Like those from their own farm for Bresse chicken and other meats. Some biodynamic wines complete the menu. La Quinc' has an induction kitchen allowing low temperature cooking and minute preparations.

The name says it all: here, the specialty is lobster. This noble animal is served on a 750 g plate in plain, grilled, thermidor, Armoricaine or waterzooi (a typical Ghent stew) versions. Other house specialties include shellfish platters (oysters, various shellfish, langoustine, crab, razor clams, gambas, shrimp, lobster, etc.), bouillabaisse (which can be garnished with crab or lobster), à la carte fish of the day (sole meunière, swimming halibut, etc.), and traditional Belgian mussels and French fries. The dining room is rather small, so book ahead.

Taken over at the end of 2023, this institution of Liège's gastronomic landscape has benefited from a refreshment while retaining the unique style of the place. The traditional Art Deco brasserie is unique in the region. The kitchen offers a variety of lobster dishes. The menu evolves with the seasons. The seafood platter features oysters, clams, mussels, langoustines, half clams, shrimps and periwinkles. You'll also appreciate the shrimp croquettes, considered the best in the city, as well as the genuine Liège coffee.