Brussels has a new gastronomic champion! On Monday, February 9, the verdict was announced at the sixth edition of the famous competition for the best shrimp croquette in Brussels: the Journal restaurant, located in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, took home the prize. A true outsider facing well-established institutions, this restaurant on Avenue Orban won over the prestigious jury with its unique recipe! This is a crowning achievement for this establishment, which opened just a few months ago. So let yourself be tempted by the new temple of Brussels gastronomy, a modern venue that is already a must-visit.
The meteoric rise of Journal: from Stockel outsider to Brussels champion!
Opened just a few weeks ago, in November 2025, the Journal restaurant was then a promising family-run establishment located on Avenue Orban in the municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre in Brussels. However, the fate of this “All Day Kitchen” concept took a turn on Monday, February 9, 2026, when it won the 6th edition of the competition for the best shrimp croquette in Brussels. Facing 17 other competitors, this newcomer was able to impose its revisited version of an authentic classic.
© @journal.brussels
Located in the Stockel district, the establishment, which already boasts an impressive rating of 4.8/5, offers modern cuisine in a bright and contemporary setting. Its short and evolving menu focuses on healthy and natural products through brunch dishes and other revisited pastries. The “All Day Kitchen & Coffee Break” concept makes this place a gourmet destination for everyone, from breakfast to dinner.
Crispy and creamy: how Journal won over the expert jury
To win this supreme title, Journal’s croquette won over an exceptional jury composed of food journalists, the winner of the previous edition, and Belgian chef Lionel Rigolet. During a blind tasting, the crunchiness of the breadcrumb coating, the creaminess of the béchamel sauce, and the perfect amount of shrimp were carefully analyzed by the judges. And it was the recipe from the restaurant represented by chef Alexandre De Groodt that stood out!
This victory over the institutions of Brussels cuisine highlights the high standards of this competition. By placing authenticity and precision at the heart of their creation, Journal has redefined the codes of artisanal croquettes. Come and discover the Journal experience in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre without further delay and taste the best the capital has to offer this year. And for those who are still unsure, see you on Thursday, February 12, at the Bright Brussels Croquette Feest, the “All Star Game” of fried food, at Place Royale!
📍Avenue Orban 231, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Belgium