Chez Leon

  3.9 – 14,226 reviews   • Belgian restaurant

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Situé à deux pas de la Grand-Place de Bruxelles, « riche théâtre », pour reprendre l’expression de Jean Cocteau, se situe l’îlot Sacré. Au coeur de ce quartier, le Restaurant « CHEZ LEON » existe depuis plus de 130 ans et est devenu un des monuments incontournables du vieux Bruxelles. Notre restaurant, par sa simplicité, son accueil direct et chaleureux ainsi que son atmosphère pittoresque, a su capter la sympathie du public et la halte du gourmand. En 1867, Léon Vanlancker s’installe pour exploiter un restaurant baptisé « A la Ville d’Anvers » avant d’ouvrir, quelques années plus tard, et sous son prénom, ce qui allait devenir le symbole de la cuisine belge. Les années passent et la Maison grandit petit à petit.

Family-owned restaurant, established in 1893, known for regional cuisine including mussels & fries.

✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery Chez Leon lgium

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Chez Léon, restaurant au cœur de Bruxelles : CHEZ LEON

CHEZ LEON, probablement la Friture la plus bruxelloise du monde !

La carte – CHEZ LEON

… Bruxelles. Notre restaurant, par sa simplicité, son accueil direct et … 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique · +32 2.511.14.15 · [email protected] · Le restaurant …

Chez Léon 1893 | Brussels – Facebook

Details. . 88% recommend (3,626 Reviews). . $$$. . Closed now. . Beenhouwersstraat 18, Brussels, Belgium, 1000 ; Links. . chezleon.be ; Contact info. . +32 …

Reviews

Sara Pasquali
Perfect experience!
We were welcomed immediately at the door and the interior is peculiar and curated. Original furnishings with a different vibe from the ground and first floor where you can feel the care in the choices.

A special thank you to Ahmed who was very attentive to the needs of the guests, knowledgeable and kind in our requests even in a different language – he made the lunch better even if the other server was a bit more careless

The food was very good, high quality/price ratio and good portions. We got the lunch menu and were satisfied but you can also find a huge seafood selection which I recommend.

A must stop if you visit this city!
PET FRIENDLY
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Saithida Wongrueachai
It was my first time visiting this place and it was absolutely amazing! Food came in big portions and tasted really good as well.

What impressed me most is the way they decorated their place. Every corner is perfectly photogenic which describes well about Brussel.

Really nice to have lunch here. Of course I will definitely come back again 🙂
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Sophea Son
At first, we were unsure because the Google rating was low and the restaurant is right in the middle of a tourist area. We didn’t plan to eat here, but it was late and raining, so we decided to give it a try and we’re so glad we did!

When in Brussels, of course we ordered the mussels & frites and mashed potatoes with sausages. Everything was delicious. The mussels were fresh and flavorful, the fries were crispy, and the sausages with mash were comforting and tasty. I paired it with their LEON beer and it was perfect together.

The staff was friendly and fast, which we appreciated. The ambiance was cozy and warm, especially nice on a rainy night. It ended up being a great experience. Definitely give it a try!
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Scott Pinner
Our first stop for food in Brussels. We were very happy with the food. Service was very efficient. Dishes were pretty tasty. We had lasgna, french onion soup, amongst other dishes. We would definitely recommend to others
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Yovo Zhelyazkov
We visited this restaurant as a family and had a wonderful experience. The service was very friendly and attentive, which made us feel welcome from the start. We tried the local beer and really enjoyed it — definitely worth ordering.
I highly recommend the mussels; they were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. The desserts were also excellent and a great way to finish the meal. Overall, a very enjoyable dining experience that we would happily recommend.
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Mandy Leung
The restaurant has a nice, cosy atmosphere, and the staff were very polite, friendly, and humorous, making our dining experience enjoyable. The food was well prepared with good flavour and portion sizes. One dish, similar to Asian-style frog legs, was especially impressive with an excellent sauce. Overall, the pricing is reasonable and we had a lovely time dining here.
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Uyen Ta
This was the first place we visited after arriving, found by chance while walking around. It was very crowded, so we guessed it must be good..
The mussels with cheese were tasty, though the mussels were a bit less fresh than at another place we went to the next day.
The Leon beer is a must-try
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Netta Nicole
You can’t come to Brussels without trying Moules-Frites (Mussels & Fries). We decided to visit Chez Leon to indulge in this popular Belgian cuisine. I’m a big fan of mussels at home, so I knew that I’d enjoy them here. We tried the pot roasted Mussels, which is kind of traditional, the fried Mussels (En friture) served with tarter sauce and the Mussels baked with butter, garlic, tomato and cheese (Moules Provençale / Provençaalse). The latter were truly superb. I’d never tried Mussels this way before, but I thoroughly enjoyed them paired with crispy, golden fries and a crisp, chilled beer.

The wait staff was welcoming and friendly upon entry. Once seated, the wait for service was a bit slow to start, but it was pretty busy. The atmosphere was pretty energetic, but also warm and comfortable. I recommend checking out this Chez Leon when in Brussels.
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Francesco Mascellaro
If you’re heading to Brussels, Chez Léon is essentially the “Grand Central Station” of Belgian dining. It is arguably the most famous spot in the city for moules-frites, and while its location on Rue des Bouchers, ​walking into Chez Léon feels like stepping into a well-oiled machine that hasn’t stopped since 1893. It’s loud, fast-paced, and massive—spread across several interconnected historic houses.
​It’s not a “romantic candlelit dinner” spot. It’s a “clinking beer glasses and steaming pots of mussels” spot. Expect paper placemats, brisk service, and a lively mix of tourists and locals.
​The waiters are professionals great service no wait for the meals they are generally friendly if you catch their eye.
​The Gold Standard for Basics
​You go here for one thing: The Mussels.
​Order the Moules Spéciales (mussels steamed with celery, onions, and butter). They are consistently fresh because the turnover here is so high—they go through tons of mussels a day.
​They are classic Belgian style—thick, double-fried, and perfectly salty.
​If you aren’t in the mood for a giant pot of mussels, try the Mussels au Gratin (baked with garlic butter and cheese) or their Tomato Crevette (shrimp-stuffed tomato).
​They brew their own light, refreshing beer called Léon which is specifically designed to cut through the richness of the butter and fries.
​The “Formule Léon”: This is one of the best deals in central Brussels. For around €15–€18, you usually get a solid portion of mussels, fries, and a beer.
​A huge perk if you’re traveling with family—children under 12 often eat for free when accompanied by an adult.
​You want the quintessential “Mussels in Brussels” experience without the stress of being ripped off by a low-quality tourist trap. It’s reliable, historic, and fun.
​You want a quiet, intimate meal or “fine dining” service. It can feel a bit like a factory during peak hours.
​It’s right next to the Grand Place, so it’s perfect for a meal after seeing the square. If you want to avoid the heaviest crowds, try going for an early lunch or a late dinner (they stay open late!).
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Fatih Ayyildiz
Right in the heart of Brussels, Chez Léon drew us in with its warm, welcoming atmosphere. That evening, it wasn’t just a restaurant — it was a true experience. Cozy, lively, and filled with character, the place radiates an authentic Brussels charm that immediately makes you feel at home.

We chose the “Moules gratinées à l’ail” – mussels baked with garlic, herbs, and melted cheese – and it was an explosion of flavor. The freshness of the mussels, the aromatic depth of the butter, and the perfectly caramelized cheese created a dish that was both rustic and refined. The harmony between the bold garlic, delicate herbs, and the natural saltiness of the sea was simply masterful.
What impressed me most was the precision and respect in how the seafood was handled — tender in texture, perfectly balanced in flavor, and full of character. I had never experienced mussels prepared this way before; it was truly eye-opening and unforgettable.

Paired with golden crispy fries and an ice-cold Belgian beer, it became one of those memorable meals that stay with you — not just for the taste, but for the shared joy around the table.
Chez Léon is more than a place to eat; it’s where you taste the culture of Brussels itself. A must-visit for every true food lover.
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