In the heart of Brussels’ historic center, a stone’s throw from the Galeries Saint-Hubert, nestles a veritable institution. Founded in 1905, Maison Vincent is much more than just a restaurant. Its UNESCO-listed Art Deco decor and dishes flambéed before your very eyes give it a unique charm. Add to this tasty anecdotes about Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour, Sharon Stone and many others. The result is a century-old brasserie where Brussels gastronomy meets cultural history.
Maison Vincent: a century-old place that breathes Brussels
Originally, in 1905, Maison Vincent was a simple neighborhood rotisserie, located at no. 8 rue des Dominicains. In 1912, architect Maurice Grimme gave the building its current appearance. He transformed it into the “Restaurant Vincent”, a brasserie in the distinctive Art Deco style.
Grimme refurbished the first floor. He commissioned Maison Helman to create monumental frescoes in painted ceramic. Illustrating the craft life of the North Sea coasts, they have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. They still adorn the walls today and, over a century later, continue to amaze visitors and take gourmets on a journey back in time.
In fact, little or nothing has changed since then. The original wooden furniture, the liveried service, the spectacular flambéing in the dining room… People come here as much to feast as to discover a piece of the capital’s history.
Jacques Brel, a loyal customer
It’s hard to talk about Maison Vincent without also mentioning Jacques Brel. The singer loved the place, its friendly atmosphere and its no-frills cuisine. Today, the brasserie is part of the Jacques Brel Foundation’s cultural itinerary, proof of this special relationship.
And the wink continues on the plate: the menu still features the famous “Brel crêpe“, a gourmet tribute to the spirit of the poet. Those who want to prolong the experience need only listen: Monsieur Adelin, Maître d’hôtel for over 30 years, loves to share memories and anecdotes linked to the artist.
Celebrities seduced by the atmosphere
Brel wasn’t the only one to succumb. Charles Aznavour, Line Renaud, Jean Yanne, Christiane Lenain and even Sharon Stone are among the prestigious visitors. Their visits fuel a veritable local legend.
Monsieur Adelin, again, is happy to recount their reactions to the spectacular flambé, their unusual requests and the “pre-theatre” evenings, when artists and spectators would gather at the same table after a show in the neighboring galleries.
A menu faithful to tradition, anchored in its time
At Maison Vincent, Belgian gastronomy is experienced in all its generosity. With meats carved and flambéed in the dining room, seasonal game, shrimp croquettes, mussels and French fries or Brussels sauerkraut, there’s something for everyone. If you’re a fan of quality meats, go with your eyes closed. The menu remains true to its early twentieth-century heritage, and that’s what attracts regulars and the curious from all over the world. Here, the decor does not overshadow the quality of the dishes. In fact, the kitchen is the entrance to the establishment: quite a symbol.
While the menu has remained virtually unchanged since the early days, the house has added a modern touch to this tradition since 2020. It now favors short circuits and relies on local, seasonal produce. An elegant way of remaining anchored in the present without betraying its original spirit.
An address not to be missed
As you may have gathered, Maison Vincent is not just a brasserie. It’s an encounter between heritage, memory and cuisine, right in the middle of the Îlot Sacré. Whether you’re a fan of fine traditional cuisine, culture or exceptional architecture, this is a place that every inhabitant of Brussels should visit at least once in his or her life.