Table Vaccin

The story

Table Vaccin in Oostmalle: Modern Cuisine by Chef Ivan Daelemans – Michelin Recommended

From Haute Cookure to Table Vaccin

In May 2023, a familiar name in Belgian gastronomy evolved. Chef Ivan Daelemans, 52, and hostess-sommelier Cindy Mertens, 49, closed their long-standing restaurant Haute Cookure and reopened with a new identity: Table Vaccin. The name nods to the building’s past as a doctor’s surgery, and the change signals a deliberate shift in style. The couple wanted “a new vibe” – one that keeps the à la carte classics but introduces more food sharing, more choice, and shorter, more flexible dining options. Gault & Millau recognised the new energy immediately, awarding 14/20.

What the Critics Say

The Michelin Guide has also taken notice, bestowing its “Recommended” distinction on Table Vaccin. This is no small feat for a restaurant that reinvented itself so recently. The recognition underscores the kitchen’s consistent quality under chef Daelemans, who has been at the helm since the original Haute Cookure opened in 2003.

The Experience

Table Vaccin describes itself as “a gastronomic experience.” The menu is built around a la carte dishes, but the focus is on sharing. Guests can choose from small bites, starters, mains, and a six-course Experience Menu (€95) designed for the table. Lunch is served Wednesday through Friday, with a fixed-price Lunch Menu (€45) or an All-in Lunch (€65) that includes dessert and coffee. The Chef’s Deal, a three-course choice menu at €80, is available from Wednesday to Saturday.

The restaurant’s own words: “A la carte dishes, but also much more food sharing and choices, so you can dine shorter and there is more experience.” The atmosphere is relaxed but polished, with outdoor seating, air conditioning, and wheelchair access.

The Team

Chef Ivan Daelemans creates the “spetterende gerechten” (sparkling dishes). Cindy Mertens handles the wine, drawing from the restaurant’s own cellar. The team includes a rotating cast of front-of-house and kitchen staff, all working to keep the energy high and the service personal.

Table Vaccin is open for lunch Wednesday to Friday (12:00–14:00) and dinner Wednesday to Saturday (18:00–21:00). Closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.