5 restaurants to discover in Brussels in 2023!

They opened just a few weeks or days before Covid, or have just opened their doors. Gourmet addresses continue to flourish in the capital, much to the delight of epicureans...

Variétés, the Belgian revival

No sooner had it opened, than it had to close its doors... a reason to forget about it? But no, this institution, now under the management of Serge Litvine, is a resounding success. In a vintage, art deco setting, Le Variétés, a former stamcafé and legendary address on Place Flagey, has won us over.

The menu features classic Belgian dishes such as shrimp croquettes, cod in mousseline sauce, Variétés-style vol-au-vent and traditional dame blanche, alongside house specialties. A particular favorite is the spit-roasted chicken (with its mouth-watering sauces), which plays a central role in the establishment.

Dante, Italian-style brasserie

Luca's little brother has arrived among the capital's many Italian restaurants. Like Luca's establishment, Dante 's aim is to be authentic, with carefully selected products from the Botte region. On the menu of this Italian-style brasserie are dishes typical of the region, concocted by chef Stefano Sibilla: pasta al ragù, vongole, antipasti, vitello tonnato and grilled fish.

It smells of sunshine! The best part? Pasta and pizza dough are entirely homemade! And when it comes to decor, you're guaranteed a convivial trip. The Apulian tableware is inspired by grandmother's terracotta and ceramic plates, hand-colored with an olive branch. An address likely to become your new favorite Italian...

Bagheera, in show-on mode

The kind of restaurant that's been missing from the capital. Chic and fun. In an urban jungle setting, tasty dishes and a festive atmosphere come together. Lobster, caviar, king crab, Angus meat, morels... In the dining room, the experience is enlivened by live dressing, cutting and flambéing.

In the center of the restaurant, the shakers echo behind the large square marble bar. By 11pm, the mood is set, the music kicks in and a DJ livens up the evening on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to get diners dancing!

Villa Lorraine: the star resurrected

After a year of renovation, the Litvine family (again!) and chef Yves Mattagne have taken the house out of its straitjacket and reinvented it. Villa Lorraine marks its comeback with a magnificent new decor and two-Michelin-starred chef Yves Mattagne(at Sea Grill) in the kitchen. The decor has been dusted off, the spaces aired, the lounges superbly treed and a zenitude of powder pink and gold emanates...

The mix of materials (marble, brass, felt, ceramics, travertine...) is very successful. La Villa offers a single cuisine, but two different concepts depending on whether you opt for the loungebar or the main dining room. At the bar, you share and order as you go, with a more relaxed atmosphere, subdued lighting and more appropriate sound. In the restaurant, choose from one of the menu options (either the chef's signature dishes, or dishes inspired by his travels) or à la carte.

Savage, plant first

It's sorely lacking in the capital. A restaurant that puts plants in the spotlight. The result is astonishing. Chef Joel Rammelsberg concocts a €36 menu featuring 4 dishes that are 100% plant-based. A complete experience based on local, seasonal plants, vegetables and flowers.

If you wish, even if the menu is self-sufficient, you can add meat or fish. Trout? Mackerel? Holstein? The icing on the cake is the attractive decor and pleasant terrace! A new restaurant right in tune with the times...