Michelin Guide: Two Belgian restaurants receive second star and nine a first
On Monday, the Michelin Guide unveiled its selection for Belgium and Luxembourg for this year at the Handelsbeurs in Antwerp. Two Belgian restaurants have been awarded a second star this year and nine received their first star. Zilte and Boury remain the only three-star establishments in Belgium.
At the highest level, everything remains unchanged in Belgium. Zilte in Antwerp, run by Viki Geunes, and Boury in Roeselare, run by Tim Boury, retain their three stars.
In the two-star category, however, there are two newcomers. Cuines 33 in Knokke, run by Edwin Menue, has been promoted from one to two stars. Nick Bril’s The Jane has been awarded two stars again, immediately following a relocation and reopening, which is a relief for Bril, particularly following his recent conviction for negligence and hit-and-run in connection with a collision involving an employee. The Michelin Guide for Belgium and Luxembourg now lists a total of 22 two-star restaurants.
Nine Belgian restaurants have been awarded one star by the Michelin Guide for the first time. In Luxembourg, Le Lys of Kim De Dood also received its first star. In total, there are 115 one-star restaurants in Belgium and Luxembourg.
For Abel Demeestere (27) of restaurant Est in Heverlee, there was double good news. Not only did he secure his first Michelin star, but he also won the Young Chef Award.
There was also room for a new award: The Opening of the Year Award for a new establishment or an impressive reopening. La Villa Lorraine in Brussels took home the prize. The restaurant reopened in early 2026 under chef Reuben Christiaens after chef Yves Mattagne left the establishment in 2025.
Michelin also awards green stars to establishments that focus on sustainability. Seppe Nobels’ Instroom in Antwerp won one this year, as did Nova in Sint-Niklaas and Màloma in Rixensart. For Nobels, this is not the first time he receives this star. He previously won it for his former restaurant, Graanmarkt 13. Now he has received one for Instroom, a project that works with newcomers to the workforce, ex-prisoners, school leavers and girls who have ended up in prostitution.
Seven restaurants were also added to the list of Bib Gourmand restaurants, i.e. places where you can enjoy a particularly tasty meal at a great value. In Flanders, Ching Ching in Emblem and Den Bourgondiër in Wilrijk were added. This year’s selection in this category also shows that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find excellent food at a great value.
The Michelin Guide for Belgium and Luxembourg lists a total of 764 restaurants, 139 of which have at least one star.
Presentation of the Michelin 2026 restaurant and hotel guide for Belgium and Luxembourg © BELGA PHOTO MAARTEN WEYNANTS
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