Belgium and gastronomy often go hand in hand, but generally when it comes to beer, chocolate and waffles. This time, it is vegetables that have placed Belgium on top of the podium.
Brussels (Ixelles) restaurant humus x hortense won the award for the best vegan restaurant during the We’re Smart Taste Summit in Amsterdam. Its chef, Nicolas Decloedt, pays particular attention to the quality of the produce that comes from his own garden or local farms and is accompanied by local beers and natural wines. Before opening his own restaurant, he learnt the ropes at Bon Bon and at Le Chalet de la Forêt, among others.
The “We’re Smart” association promotes establishments that encourage healthy, ecological and sustainable food. It has members in around 40 countries and has created a list of the 100 best vegetable restaurants in the world. The best vegetable restaurant is not necessarily 100% plant-based, but it gives prominence to vegetables by making them the central part of the dishes it serves. Vegetables must make up at least two thirds of the plate if the restaurant wants to compete for the title of best vegetable restaurant.
As well as humus x hortense, the Top 10 includes three other Belgian restaurants: Vrijmoed in Ghent, Graanmarkt 13 in Antwerp and Arabelle Meirlaen in Marchin.
This competition captures the spirit of the times and has rewarded restaurants in all three of our Regions.