Ember

The story

Ember Mechelen: Wood-Fire Grill and Seasonal Belgian Cuisine | Michelin Recommended

Ember is a return to basics. In Mechelen’s Guldenstraat, Zino Jacobs and Arthur Doppee run a restaurant that revolves around smoke and fire, using wood as the primary heat source. They use minimal electricity and gas, letting the primal power of smoking and grilling over an open flame define their cooking. The result is a cuisine that is honest, pure, and deeply connected to the local landscape.

The menu changes daily based on what the market, local farmers, and nature provide. Fish, vegetables, and unique meats take turns as centrepieces, all sourced from Belgian producers. A dedication to sustainability means every part of an ingredient finds a purpose, whether on the plate or in a matching drink. Two tasting menus are offered: a standard Ember menu and a vegetable menu, both at €119. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, a shorter “Discover Ember” menu is available for €90, offering an accessible introduction to the kitchen’s style. A cheese supplement from Schockaert is also an option. Guests with dietary needs can request a vegetarian or gluten-free adaptation, though the kitchen cannot accommodate other allergies.

Zino Jacobs grew up surrounded by gastronomy. His father, Jean-Pierre Jacobs, passed on the cooking bug, and travels during childhood sparked a fascination with global flavours. After training at Hotelschool Ter Duinen, he worked as a chef at KV Mechelen before founding Zcatering in 2020, a catering company focused on wood-fire grilling. Inspired by grill master Lennox Hastie, Jacobs now builds his dream with partner Arthur Doppee, aiming to put Mechelen back on Belgium’s gastronomic map. Their effort has already earned the restaurant a Michelin Recommended distinction, a mark of the kitchen’s integrity and skill.

The restaurant itself is warm and contemporary. A spacious dining room, an inviting terrace, and the constant scent of the grill create an atmosphere that is both elegant and relaxed. A private meeting room above the restaurant is available for groups up to 25, offering the same menu and service seven days a week. With its focus on local, seasonal ingredients and the elemental craft of wood-fire cooking, Ember brings a distinct and honest voice to Belgian dining.