A wonderful universe of fine dining
Flanders is a place of and for lovers of life. You can sense this in Flanders’ wealth of top gastronomic restaurants, which guarantee a marvelous culinary experience. More and more of these trailblazers take a noticeably sustainable approach and are building a veggie and vegan universe. Flanders’ culinary future is veggie, creative and sizzling. Here are just a few of Flanders’ green hotspots for gourmets.
Souvenir, Ghent
Fifteen years ago in Ghent, the city threw its weight behind “Thursday Veggie Day”, an initiative to raise enthusiasm among the public for vegetarian food — with great success! These days, Ghent is teeming with green hotspots. Souvenir is a great example. This cozy, top restaurant is run by chef Vilhjalmur Sigurdarson and his partner Joke Michiel. They give vegetables the starring role, following the rhythm of the seasons. The result is a sparkling menu filled with surprising, avant-garde dishes. As a result, Souvenir has been awarded both a “regular” and a green Michelin star. That latter star is recognition for top restaurants with a forward-looking focus on sustainability.
Souvenir happily extends its pioneering approach to the outside world: That’s why co-owner Joke is also an Ambassador for GOESTING, a group of foodies who embody Flanders and aim to share its unique food culture with the world.
Humus x hortense, Brussels
Much the same applies to Nicolas Decloedt and Caroline Baeten of the renowned restaurant humus x hortense. These Brussels natives are also GOESTING Ambassadors, and their restaurant also proudly carries the Michelin awards: one green and one classic star.
In the setting of an old teahouse in an almost kitsch rococo style, you’ll savor only plant-based dishes. The ingredients for these dishes come straight from the field of their wild farmer. The kitchen operates according to what the farmer, who religiously follows 24 (!) micro-seasons, is offering. At humus x hortense, sustainability is not an empty word, it’s a sacred principle. Staff wear modern uniforms of organic cotton; tables are made from responsibly harvested oak and all drinking water comes from the tap. Intrigued? Discover more in humus x hortense’s sustainability policy.
Camionette, Antwerp
Of course, the trendy metropolis of Antwerp can’t be left out off list. In a former warehouse somewhere between the heart of Antwerp and the former military hospital you’ll find Camionette. This brainchild of hospitality friends Camille Dubois and Boqion De Pooter is an all-natural restaurant and wine bar. Camionette proves that fine dining is more than just traditional cuisine. Using 100% plant-based, seasonal produce, they put together an enticing vegan menu every time. That menu can also pivot to vegetarian, through the clever addition of a few organic cheeses. Either way: delicious.
These three culinary standard-bearers prove that fine dining can also be vegan or vegetarian today, as do many other restaurants. It’s your turn to sample this feast. Enjoy!
