Now Open, à la carte openings
- François Remy
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
NEW SECTION - From trendy cafés to disruptive caterers, from small neighborhood establishments to Michelin-starred restaurants, our new "Now Open" section offers a glimpse of the newest venues.
As the months go by, new locations flourish, unique concepts emerge, and bold talents take the plunge. Gondola Foodservice aims to help map what's driving the industry.
Not to simply list the openings, but to identify the potential success stories, the experiences at the origin of tomorrow's trends, the actors and actresses who define or reinvent the Belgian culinary landscape.
“Now Open” is a good little source of information to get an idea of the dynamism of the restaurant market.
The 120th McDonald's restaurant in Belgium
The golden arches brand is opening a new address in Dinant on June 25th, perched on the heights of the city, close to various shops, electric charging stations, the Dinant University Hospital and its many workers. Multi-franchisee Xavier Gérard thus adds an 8th McDonald's to his collection extending from the province of Namur (2) to that of Luxembourg (3), passing through the Liège region (3). Fifty-five people work there, including 25 students, to serve up to 136 seats inside and 70 on the terrace. But the McDonald's in Dinant is still looking to recruit.
A week earlier, in the Rive Gauche shopping area of Charleroi , the American fast-food chain marked its return to the city center. The "young" franchisee Thomas Desmarets, who opened his first McDonald's in Anderlues a few months ago, also employs 55 people here to take care of around 200 indoor seats. With the possibility of adding 80 terrace seats. A special feature: a private entrance has been installed for deliveries via the platforms.
The Nano, to the power of 3
The Mouscron institution Nano left its historic quarters of the Grand-Place and reopened on June 24 in a new establishment housing three concepts: a brand new fishmonger, l'Écailler, headed by Chef Hervé Hage; the new Nano, with the same teams in the kitchen and in the dining room but with a redesigned menu, based on "to share or solo" (50 seats inside, 20 on the terrace); and finally, upstairs, the Cabane du nano, divided into a stone grill area and a cocktail bar area, finger food included.
Chaga, "elevated experience"… at the Faubourg21 Hotel
Chef Kevin Lejeune, awarded a Michelin star in 2019 in his former establishment La Canne en Ville, now orchestrates the dance of dishes in two restaurants united under the same roof: Le Noisette, a high-end bistro, and Le Chaga, a gastronomic restaurant , both nestled respectively on the 1st and 4th floors of the new luxury Faubourg21 hotel.
Freed from the burden of running a hospitality establishment, the chef can fully immerse himself in culinary creation and preparation. "Seated around the majestic enameled lava counter, guests are invited to experience an immersive culinary journey... tasting a memorable dish while interacting with the team working their magic" from the open kitchen, explains the chef.
Are you about to open the doors of your establishment? Have you just inaugurated it? Let us know! We'll help you share the good news. Contact us to provide us with all the relevant information.
