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 295 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Brussels
Chez Monsieur Yang
Chinese Hot Pot
You order a bouillon, which can have different bases, meat or veggie options. Add the sauces, what you would like to eat and then the magic happens.
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Piscine Espadon
Splash away
Piscine l'Espadon has three pools; a normal one, a small one for kids and even a mini heated one for babies and toddlers, with slides!
by
Sarah
Filion
CHARDIN
Salty waffles and tasty burgers
The crispiness of the chicken perfectly matched the softness of the freshly made waffle, and the teriyaki sauce was just the “savory” cherry on top.
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
JeanBon
The best of the basics
"JeanBon" Comptoir Gourmand in Brussels offers freshly prepared products that are homemade with love, for your breakfast, lunch and apéritivos at home.
by
Charlotte
Mewis
Café Mercedes
Spanish class
Spanish-souled "Café Mercedes" in Brussels tells the history of its neighborhood through the eyes of its owners who've been here since the '60s...
by
Davy
Verbeke
Joseph Marien Stadium
Art Deco in sport
"Joseph Marien Stadium" in Brussels doesn't look like a stadium - it's another Art Deco building that fascinates me with its long, beautiful facade.
by
Renata
Riva
Altitude 100
Highest point in town
"Altitude 100" in Brussels is a fascinating place in the commune of Forest in Brussels. I like it's a church in the center of a big roundabout!
by
Renata
Riva
To Meli
Greek Delicatessen in Schuman
My favorite is Spanakopita, a buttery & flaky phyllo pastry with a filling of cooked spinach and feta cheese. For dessert I recommend a slice of Bougatsa!
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
La Boule d'Oro
Brasserie as good as gold
"La Boule d'Oro" is my personal no. 1 brasserie in Brussels. This corner cafe resembles my primary school cafeteria & has excellent Belgian food & beer.
by
Davy
Verbeke
Cemetery of Brussels
In the city of the dead
The "Cemetery of Brussels" (opened in 1877) was designed as an English landscape garden - get lost among avenues and cobbestone streets here...
by
Davy
Verbeke
Le Monts des Arts
Magical sunset view
"Le Monts des Arts" is my favorite place in Brussels, as all my friends know already - especially the esplanade at the end of it. Just go at sunset...
by
Renata
Riva
Théâtre l'Improviste
Creative evening ensured
They look at each other and then it starts right away, no time to think, they just do. What I love most is the conversations you have afterward...
by
Anna
van Wuijckhuijse
Heading to Brussels?
295 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 295 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:
