Two Belgian restaurants ranked among the world's best in prestigious listing

The famous ranking of the World's 50 Best Restaurants has been unveiled, with two Belgian restaurants placed in the top 100.

In the 23rd edition of the prestigious listing featuring restaurants from 32 cities and 22 countries, Willem Hiele (pictured above) near Ostend achieved 62nd place and Bozar in Brussels followed in 63rd.

“Chef Willem Hiele moved from his Flanders fishing hut to quite different surroundings: an impressive architectural building which used to be a residential house in the historic polders of The Keignaert nature reserve,” said the listing of the restaurant which was awarded a Michelin star in 2023.

“Although well hidden, up close the brutalist building is imposing. Step inside to experience Hiele’s stellar seafood-led cooking, which moves to the rhythm of the seasons and the ocean, with dishes often touched by fire, a light playfulness and accompanied by intense, powerful sauces,” it added. The restaurant’s experience menu is priced at €235 per person and is available for both lunch and dinner.

The second gastronomic establishment cited by the World's 50 Best Restaurants experts is the two-Michelin star Bozar Restaurant in Brussels (pictured above), headed  by Armenian-born chef Karen Torosyan. It is the culinary jewel in the crown of Brussels’ arts centre of the same name and occupies an Art Deco building designed by pioneering architect Victor Horta. “While the descriptor has changed from ‘Brasserie’ to ‘Restaurant’, the menus still feature the same sort of artisan-led, New Belgian fare with which Torosyan made his name,” said the listing. 

It highlighted his puff pastry preparations, including wellingtons and pithiviers that are presented at the table before going into the oven. The ingredients sealed in a rich crispy crust include sweetbreads, foie gras, Corrèze veal, cabbage and black trumpet mushrooms that are sealed in the cooking juices. “A delight!" it said. Bozar offers the seven-course Bozar menu (€245), the five-course Horta menu (€195) and the three-course lunch menu (€115).

The top restaurant in the world according to the listing is Maido in the Peruvian capital Lima. Garnering more votes from the 1,120 expert voters that form The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, it specialises in Peruvian-Japanese cuisine.  

“It is serious about researching and promoting previously lost products of the Amazon, but equally dedicated to delivering the results of that work in as uplifting a manner as possible.”