Nr.12 by Helsen

The story

Nr.12 by Helsen in Herentals: A Bib Gourmand Restaurant’s New Chapter

A Bittersweet Farewell

After 16 years on the Grote Markt in Herentals, Frédéric and Wendy have announced that May 7 will be the last day of their restaurant in its current form. “This is not a goodbye,” they write, “but a new chapter.” The same passion for cooking remains, but the focus is shifting toward takeaway and fresh plans for the future.

Bib Gourmand Recognition

The restaurant earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026, a nod to its good quality, good value modern cuisine. That standard of cooking—built on careful technique and generous flavors—will carry forward into everything they do next.

A New Direction: Takeaway and the Food O Mat

Nr.12 by Helsen continues at the same location, Grote Markt 12, but now with a takeaway-oriented approach. Perhaps the most surprising addition is the “Altijd Honger” Food O mat, a 24/7 vending machine at Meidoornlaan 1, Herentals. It offers a rotating selection of their modern cuisine, available any time of day or night. Daily updates on Instagram and Facebook show what’s inside. “Always hungry” is the motto, and the machine is always ready.

It’s a quiet evolution—from a sit-down restaurant to a more flexible, accessible way to enjoy the same careful cooking. The warmth of the farewell message matches the confidence of the new direction: “Thank you for years of trust—this is not an end, but a new chapter.”