Chapeau Blanc Brussels
Anderlecht culinary heritage
All good things come to an end. Unless you refuse.
Brasserie Le Chapeau Blanc is an Anderlecht institute. Yet, it’s one of those Brussels-endangered restaurant species. It went bankrupt in 2023. Until 16 friends saved this emblematic business.
The traditional restaurant Le Chapeau Blanc (‘Witten Hoed’ in Dutch; ‘White Hat’ in English) was founded in 1890. The wooden interior boasted a fin-de-siècle splendour for the common people. At that time, Anderlecht was still just a small village close to the city of Brussels.
When, after World War I, the Anderlecht football club moved to their new stadium nearby (read the Stade Constant Vanden Stock article), Le Chapeau Blanc quickly became a home base for supporters. With Belgian dishes and beers, wins were celebrated, and losses obliterated. The legend goes that in the ‘70s, when Anderlecht won the UEFA Cup, supporters celebrated for two consecutive days, stopping every tram passing by to decorate it in purple and white (listen to the heritage podcast Stadsoren to find out more). Refusing the victory to come to an end.
Anderlecht’s football glories faded. And so seemed Le Chapeau Blanc’s when the restaurant went bankrupt in 2023. But 16 friends came to the rescue. They invested €80.000, took on a loan and organized a grow funding.
The new Chapeau Blanc retained its soul. The classic menu was preserved yet modernized with vegetarian options. The wooden interior was renovated, and the upstairs ballroom was open for festivities again.
Once more, it's a place for bon vivants refusing good things to come to an end.
Find your way with 294 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Brussels
Rambo
LA-style smashed burgers
"Rambo" in Brussels will make you feel like you're in LA. Loud music, an open kitchen and three amazing types of burgers!
by
William
Mertens
Tero
Small plates to share
"Tero" in Brussels is so much more than a restaurant - it's a philosophy. It offers tasty, natural cuisine that follows the seasons!
by
William
Mertens
Certo
Hungry and thirsty
"Certo" in Brussels is a tiny Italian restaurant on a corner just behind Place Saint Boniface and one of my favorites. Federico Mazzoni is the perfect host!
by
William
Mertens
Les Petits Bouchons
Zwanze kitchen
"Les Petits Bouchons" is a typical Brussels bistro with a lot of wood, some mirrors and old-skool lighting. Zwanzers love it!
by
William
Mertens
Belga & Co
Coffee roasters
"Belga & Co" in Brussels is one of the city's great coffee places. Everything made in-house, friendly service, big window, no frills - just good coffee.
by
William
Mertens
Glacier Zizi
Best ice cream in Brussels
Even though it's a little out of the route for most, Glacier Zizi is definitely worth the detour! Ice cream, waffles, crêpes, smoothies... Your pick!
by
Anna
van Wuijckhuijse
BATCH
Brunch and small plates to share
A simple but still refined style characterizes this café, which at night becomes a warm wine bar with small plates to share.
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Sunset view Duden park
The best viewpoint around
I haven't yet been able to identify all the villages/churches marked on the small stone wall but I'm sure I will at some point!
by
Anna
van Wuijckhuijse
Le Fabiola
Wine bar de quartier
With an extravagant vintage decore, the bar takes its name from Queen Fabiola, a Spanish noblewoman who was a very beloved Queen consort of the Belgians.
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Heading to Brussels?
294 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Brussels?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 294 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Bars
Our team loves Brussels
Get to know our other Spotters from Brussels
As featured on:
