Brussels’ iconic Café Métropôle re-opens doors

Five months after closing its doors, Café Métropole in Place De Brouckère has re-opened its doors to clients, reports RTBF

Although the hotel remains closed, the establishment’s former restaurant manager has relaunched the brasserie with the help of previous employees.

And it’s already attracting business. "When I found out it was open, I came as soon as possible. It's an extraordinary place, the decoration, the setting, the atmosphere," said one happy customer.

On the terrace, another recounted how she had been a habitual client for 35 years. "I used to come here every week! It's been closed for too long," she laments. "But now I will come back regularly."

There was also nostalgia for the days when film stars stayed at the landmark hotel. "In the past, when French actors came to Brussels, they all stayed at the Hotel Métropole and we found them on the terrace. So I was able to chat with Jean Marais, Pierre Arditi. It was really 'the place to be'," confirmed one client.

Enthusiasm for the re-opening is shared among employees. “The recovery makes us all happy,” said Alexandre Lopes, a waiter at the café for the past 26 years. "Frankly, we were all sad to see such an establishment closed. And staying at home did not make us feel good at all".

Responsible for the renaissance is former food and beverage manager Manuel Rodrigues. "The employees are all veterans who had a great nostalgia for the place. That's what prompted us to relaunch the ship," he explains.

Although the team has taken over the brasserie until a new buyer for the hotel is found, they’re all hopeful that there’s a long-term future for the famous address.