Alter

The story

Alter Tongeren – Michelin-Starred Dining in a Converted School, Belgium

Alter in Tongeren

Just a stone’s throw from the historic centre of Tongeren, Alter occupies the former municipal school of Riksingen. The name is Latin for “different” – a nod to the city’s Roman roots and a promise of what awaits at the table.

This second chapter began in 2023, when chef Jo Grootaers and his wife Lana Kelchtermans took the reins. Grootaers cooks with instinct and respect for the product, drawing out maximum flavour without masking it. His style is described as “out of the box,” yet every dish remains pure and readable.

A typical meal might open with sea bass, smoked eel, pea and verbena, or Breton lobster with cauliflower, sea urchin and salty greens. Main courses follow the same logic: turbot with white asparagus, squid, yuzu and saké; or Racan guinea fowl with truffle, cherry and shiso. Desserts stay true to form – apricot with carrot, vadouvan and saffron, or a classic Dame Blanche.

The kitchen’s precision and clarity earned Alter a Michelin star, a recognition that fits naturally with the restaurant’s philosophy. The wine pairing, called the Alter Wine Experience, is built to match the same careful progression.

The setting remains simple and welcoming, with outdoor seating for warmer months and full wheelchair access. Alter serves dinner from Thursday through Sunday, with a market menu offered on Thursday lunch and Friday lunch – three courses built around the day’s best produce.

In Tongeren, a city shaped by centuries of trade, Alter has found its own language: direct, seasonal and quietly confident.