The Thrill

The story

The Thrill: Michelin-Recommended Grill Restaurant in Genk | Chef Rik Vandersanden

The Grill at the Heart

Step inside The Thrill and the first thing you notice is the crackling fire. The open grill hearth is the restaurant’s beating heart, filling the air with the aroma of seared meat and vegetables. It’s a place where the passion for cooking is tangible, and where chef Rik Vandersanden translates his years of experience into dishes that are both honest and surprising.

The restaurant’s interior was refreshed in June 2023, with a makeover that has drawn immediate praise. The look is warm and inviting – a space where you can truly settle in. In summer, the terrace opens up, shaded by elegant star-shaped tents, with robust wooden furniture that echoes the character of the grill.

Honest, Seasonal Cuisine

The menu changes with the seasons, built around fresh, high-quality ingredients. Chef Vandersanden’s signature style is rooted in the grill tradition, but with a creative edge. Starters include a creamy bisque of beach crabs and shellfish, or a tartare of house-marinated Scottish salmon with Isigny cream, honey, mustard and dill. For those who love lobster, The Thrill runs a dedicated Lobster Festival, offering preparations from classic à la Nage to a civet with baby carrots and ginger.

Main courses showcase the kitchen’s confidence with meat. You’ll find a Dry Aged Rubia Gallega Rib Eye, a tagliata of roasted Black Angus rump with green bean salad, Parmesan and pine nuts, and a roasted Holsteiner beef fillet with bone marrow and duxelles. The Holsteiner beef rib, roasted over fruitwood for two, is a share-worthy centrepiece. Even the vegetarian options, like crispy calf sweetbreads with artichoke lasagna, spinach and mushroom duxelles, are executed with the same precision.

Desserts range from a classic Dame Blanche to a chocolate moelleux with English cream and candied physalis, or a selection of aged cheeses with quince chutney.

A Michelin-Recommended Address

The Thrill’s commitment to quality and flavour has earned it a place in the Michelin guide as a Recommended restaurant. It’s a recognition that aligns with the team’s everyday philosophy: give the best of themselves to spoil every guest. The restaurant also offers a “small menu” lunch concept – a three-course menu at a friendly price, designed to bring people back to the table after the pandemic.

Beyond the dining room, The Thrill extends its hospitality through catering under the name Cariva, and hosts events like Thunder Nights and live music evenings. Whether you come for a weekday lunch, a Saturday dinner with friends, or a private party, the experience is consistently driven by the same passion and pride.