After ten years in Saint-Gilles, Crab Club is opening a new chapter in Ixelles. The restaurant , conceived by chef Yoth Ondara, has taken over the former premises of Bistrot Marie, just a stone’s throw from Flagey, with its ambition intact: to bring Brussels to life withan instinctive, vibrant, and deeply personal seafood cuisine. More than just a move, it’s a transformation.
A more intimate setting
The first thing that changes is the pace. No more large-scale service for a hundred guests! Crab Club is scaling back to prioritize a more attentive experience and an open kitchen directly facing the dining room. The venue retains a discreet elegance (retro benches, mirrors, soft lighting) while letting in a rawer vibe. On the plates, the sea remains the central theme, but without the usual trappings or a standard shellfish platter. Here, shellfish arrive according to the seasons and the fishermen’s catch. Razor clams, cockles, mussels, scallops, and lobsters make up a dynamic menu that changes almost every week.
A cuisine that travels between Brussels, Asia, and the Mediterranean
Born in Thailand, raised across multiple cultures, and long based in the south of France, Yoth Ondara cooks as if recounting memories. His dishes play on contrasts: briny notes and umami, softness and tension, land and sea. Octopus paired with pork belly, raw scallops accented with grilled notes, fish prepared with seaweed and seawater… each combination seems designed to evoke an emotion rather than a mere effect. The chef champions a free-spirited cuisine, sometimes surprising, but always coherent. Here, technique never seeks to steal the spotlight from the ingredients.
Wines without dogma and ideas that break the mold
The same spirit prevails in the wine cellar. Crab Club continues to champion vibrant wines, without getting lost in labels or trends. Natural, organic, or classic: what matters is the pleasure of the perfect glass. And then there are those hybrid creations that perfectly capture the spirit of the place: a sake-poached oyster, a briny Bloody Mary, or pairings with yuzu-kombu accents that blur the lines between cuisine and cocktails. A unique, dynamic, and vibrant spot that confirms one thing above all: Brussels hasn’t finished talking about Crab Club.
📍Address: Rue Alphonse de Witte 40, 1050 Ixelles
