Le Gastronome

The story

Le Gastronome, Paliseul – Contemporary Belgian Michelin-Starred Dining

A duo in the kitchen

Since 2018, chefs Jean Vrijdaghs and Sébastien Hankard have been at the helm of Le Gastronome, a restaurant and hotel in the Belgian Ardennes town of Paliseul. Their cooking is a study in balance — between tradition and innovation, between local products and ingredients from further afield, and between the food and the wines chosen by their sommelier. The result is contemporary cuisine that feels both grounded and refined.

Season-driven menus

The kitchen offers lunch menus in five, six, or seven courses, with prices starting at €60 for the Menu Gourmand and €85 for the Menu des Gastronomes. A Discovery Formula (€310) and a Prestige Menu in six services (€200) are also available. The Prestige Menu showcases dishes such as langoustine with cucumber, ponzu, and shellfish jus; lobster with morels and colonnata lard; and A5 Wagyu with peppers, artichokes, and soufflé potatoes. A cheese selection from the region can be added. A signature dish changes throughout the year, following the rhythm of the seasons.

Local producers, handmade details

Le Gastronome works with a network of nearby artisans: meat from Jaspart, flour from Moulin de Vencimont, vegetables from Terracines, bread from baker Florian Didriche. Ceramic plates are made by hand by Charlotte Vandyck, and the cutlery is custom-made by Lonjacraft. These collaborations reflect a shared commitment to craftsmanship and a human-scale approach to hospitality.

Michelin recognition

In 2026, Le Gastronome was awarded a Michelin star for high-quality cooking. The same year, it received a 15.5/20 rating from Gault&Millau, which named it Revelation of the Year 2020. The chefs describe their philosophy as an "équilibre" — an equilibrium between respecting tradition and embracing innovation, between the comfort of the dining room and the energy of the open kitchen.

A place to stay

For those wanting to linger, Le Gastronome also operates a small hotel with eight rooms. Guests can enjoy a breakfast of local produce and fully immerse themselves in the Ardennes setting. Whether for lunch or an overnight stay, the experience is one of quiet, self-assured hospitality — contemporary cooking backed by strong convictions and close relationships with the land.