Latest research shows that two out of three Belgians are dining out less than they did five years ago.
The latest restaurant barometer by payment platform Edenred asked 4,099 Belgians on their restaurant habits so far in 2024 and 36% of Belgians said their budget to eat out is less than it was in 2019.
Their tastes, however, remain the same. People in Belgium prefer Belgian and French dishes– the same results as for 2019 – and still spend about €40 per person while 11% pay less than €30 on average, per person, per visit. More than half of respondents (54%) said they look for online restaurant reviews before making a decision on where to eat.
With a campaign having to be launched to drum up support for the struggling catering sector here and restos facing an uncertain future amid skyrocketing costs, these are tough times for horeca.
One well-known Brussels restaurant has undergone something of a facelift, however, in order to try and stay ahead of the game.
Brasserie La Terrasse, located close to the city’s Parc Cinquantenaire, ticks lots of boxes when it comes to restaurant choice. And its best-selling dish (carbonnade, or Flemish stew) is, of course, a classic Belgian dish.
Like other restaurants in the city it has had to deal with the twin ravages of, first, the health pandemic and, second, the cost of living crisis which sparked “J’aime mon Horeca”, a new campaign that calls on Brussels residents to support the resto sector by signing an online petition and sharing the campaign on social networks.
The restaurant, which has a sister resto in the city centre, on the Grand Place (Le Roy d’Espagne), has introduced a “dome” (roof cover) on its famous terrace at the heart of this ever-bustling area (the Merode metro is directly outside making it very easily accessible from the city centre.
This allows you the chance to sit out and eat or drink in the fresh air but – and this is most useful this wet summer of ours – to stay dry in case the heavens suddenly open.
This large and pleasant space can also be used for private functions such as birthday and cocktail parties, walking dinners, for groups of up to 50 people (look out also for the impressive tree in the garden which is 100 years old).
The owner attaches a lot of importance to so-called short circuits – using, wherever possible, locally sourced products and ingredients in the food. This helps local producers, of course, and reinforces the restaurant’s eco-responsible credentials. This laudable policy also guarantees that only the most seasonal products are used in the kitchen.
Credit to the Moroccan-born chef Mohammed, who has, in fact, worked here for some 20 years.
His menu is a real discovery in itself and includes another customer favourite, moules, alongside other great Belgian classics like croquettes, File Americain, vol au vent, stoemp, chicon au gratin and boulets a la Liegeoise.
You will also find a nice choice of meat (including another Belgian favourite from a bygone era, les rognons du veau a la Dijonnaise), fish dishes, burgers and also salads. Tapas is a house speciality and there’s a great choice, each prices just a few euros.
The kids are not forgotten with a nicely priced menu for the little ones (main, desert and drink).In fact, considering the top-notch quality of the food here, the prices are very affordable, not something to be taken for granted given that research showing Belgians these days can afford to eat out much less than in the relatively recent past.
This place has been on the culinary scene for over 125 years no less (a huge achievement in the constantly-evolving horeca sector) and is now something of an institution in Brussels.
It prides itself, rightly, on its lush green setting (there’s lots of greenery everywhere) and the quality and affordability of its food offerings. It is also a great place to just have a drink on a long summer evening – the drinks/wine list is mightily impressive – if that’s your thing.
But you will also be struck by another, equally important feature – the sheer friendliness and conviviality of its young staff. Recommended.
Brasserie La Terrasse
Avenue des Celtes 1, Brussels
02 732 2851
[email protected]
