Air of Time

Belgium is definitely a destination of choice for vegetarians. In the ranking of the 100 best vegetable restaurants in the world, recently unveiled by We’re Smart World, no less than 18 are located in the flat country, including three in the top 10. Last year, there were already four.

After La Distillerie in Luxembourg and De Nieuwe Winkel in the Netherlands, Vrijmoed in Ghent completed the podium. ” Nature and its seasons are an incredible source of inspiration for us, as are the discovery of new flavors and techniques during our travels. ”Admits Michaël Vrijmoed, two-star chef in the Michelin Guide who offers a“ pure vegetables ”menu, but also cooks fish and meat.

Further on, respectively in ninth and tenth place, we then find Humus x Hortense by Nicolas Decloedt, in Ixelles, and L’Air du Temps by Sang-Hoon Degeimbre, in Liernu. Two addresses already well known to vegetable lovers as they sublimate the vegetal. The rest of the ranking is completed, on the Belgian side, by other starred restaurants such as Arabelle Meirlaen in Marchin (14th), Bon Bon in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre (27th), Pastorale in Reet (46th) but also more affordable establishments. , like Graanmarkt 13 in Antwerp (36th), Heritage in Ghent (63rd) or even Tero in Bierges (64th).

Vegetable boom

For its guide development, We’re Smart World uses establishments on at least two fruits and vegetables in their menus, but also on culinary creativity, ecological footprint and social criteria. ” We are finding that a growing number of chefs are discovering the culinary possibilities and ecological benefits of fruits and vegetables, and shows on the menu with impressive mastery. », Rejoices its founder Frank Fol.

This trend can also be seen in households. The vegetarian diet is attracting more and more Belgians, especially the youngest. Nearly a quarter of those under 34 now exclude meat and fish from their plate at least three times a week, according to a survey carried out in 2020 by the ASBL Eva. In 2016, they were 12%.