Le Cirque

The story

Le Cirque in Sint-Niklaas - Creative Belgian Cuisine by Nicky Van Goethem

Le Cirque: A Creative Kitchen in Belsele

In Belsele, just outside Sint-Niklaas, chef Nicky Van Goethem runs Le Cirque, a restaurant where innovation meets classic technique. His cooking is described as a "vernieuwende keuken mét klassieke toetsen"—an innovative kitchen with classic touches—infused with Eastern accents and technical finesse. The result is a refined, modern take on Belgian cuisine, built on day-fresh ingredients.

The restaurant’s recognition by the Michelin guide for 2026 underscores the consistent quality and ambition of the kitchen. Le Cirque offers a range of dining experiences, from a multi-course "Menu Le Cirque" that changes with the seasons to a "Crazy Monday" eight-course surprise menu. The lunch menu, available on Mondays and Fridays, provides a lighter entry into the chef’s world, while the Sunday "all-in" formula includes aperitifs and wine pairings.

The seasonal menus showcase a clear, confident style. Recent dishes have included gravad lax with Moroccan couscous salad and guacamole, sea bass on the skin with asparagus and fregola sarda, and slow-cooked guinea fowl with patatas bravas and shiitake. Desserts like mango with white chocolate and yoghurt, or strawberry with basil and meringue, offer a bright finish. An à la carte selection changes with the seasons, ensuring the menu always reflects what is best.

Le Cirque’s atmosphere is welcoming and professional, with facilities for private parties, outdoor seating in good weather, and wheelchair access. It is a place where the chef’s passion for creative, technically precise cooking is evident in every dish, making it a notable destination in the Waasland region for those seeking a memorable meal.