
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.
Address and Contact Information
Address: Rue des Bouchers 18, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Phone: +32 2 511 14 15
Website: http://www.chezleon.be/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: chezleon.be
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Chez Léon, restaurant au cœur de Bruxelles : CHEZ LEON
La carte – CHEZ LEON
Chez Léon 1893 | Brussels – Facebook
Reviews
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
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 🙂
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!
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.
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
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.
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!).
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.