Chez Léon

Chez Léon is a family-run Brussels brasserie founded in 1893 by Léon Vanlancker on the rue des Bouchers, in the historic heart of the Belgian capital. It is today described as the largest restaurant in Brussels and is best known for its signature dish, moules-frites (mussels with fries), served in the simple Belgian style. The restaurant traces its origins to 1867, when Léon Vanlancker opened a five-table establishment called "A la Ville d'Anvers" a short distance from the Grand Place; in 1893 he moved to 18 rue des Bouchers and founded "Friture Léon". The business has remained in the hands of the Vanlancker family across five generations. Paul Vanlancker joined the family business with his wife Dany, and Rudy Vanlancker later took over as the fifth generation. The restaurant expanded over the decades, opening a second location at Bruparck, launching its own Léon beer, and undergoing major renovations. In 2010 it participated in the Belgian Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai, selling over 5,000 portions of chips per day for six months. A pilot Léon restaurant opened in London's Covent Garden area. Chez Léon is a fixture in tourist guides such as the Guide du Routard, Michelin, and Lonely Planet, and is popular with both Belgians and foreign visitors. Its guest book is said to contain messages from artists, celebrities, and politicians. The restaurant offers group menus for parties of 15 or more and operates a museum dedicated to its history. Its current owner, Rodolphe Vanlancker, was also behind the development in France of the Léon restaurant chain, which shares the same specialty; that French chain, Léon de Bruxelles, was created in 1989 as a franchise and is now an independent French company with around 78 restaurants, all in France. On 17 January 2012 the chain expanded to London under the same name and with the same specialties.

Chez Léon's history begins in 1867, when Léon Vanlancker decided to set up a five-table restaurant known as "A la Ville d'Anvers", just a stone's throw from the Grand Place in Brussels. In 1893, he moved a few metres away to 18 rue des Bouchers and opened his "Friture Léon". The establishment grew slowly but surely over the years. In 1936 the building at 20 rue des Bouchers was acquired. Paul Vanlancker joined the family business and took over with his wife Dany. Georges Vanlancker, of the fourth Vanlancker generation and father of Paul and Rudy, died prematurely. Rudy Vanlancker later took over, representing the fifth generation. In 1980, Léon Bruparck opened. In 1982, Léon celebrated its centenary in grand style. In 1988, the Léon beer was created. A major remodelling followed in 1993, with a new décor and new logo, marking a new start as Léon stepped purposefully into the 21st century. In 2001, Léon beer was introduced onto Brussels Airlines planes. In 2010, Léon participated in the Belgian Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai, selling over 5,000 portions of chips per day for six months. A pilot Léon opened in the United Kingdom in the heart of London, in the Covent Garden area. In 2018, the restaurant marked 125 years. The restaurant is today described as the largest restaurant in Brussels. Its current owner, Rodolphe Vanlancker, was at the origin of the development in France of the Léon restaurant chain, which shares the same specialty. That French chain, Léon de Bruxelles, was created in 1989 as a franchise and is now an independent French company with around 78 restaurants, all in France. On 17 January 2012, the chain established itself in London under the same name and with the same specialties.

• 2019

  125 years of the restaurant

• 2018

  Opening of the pilot Léon in the United Kingdom in the heart of London, in the Covent Garden area

• 2013

  Expo 2010 Shanghai: Léon made the event by participating in the Belgian Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai and sold over 5000 portions of chips per day for 6 months

• 2010

  Léon beer is introduced onto Brussels Airlines planes

• 2007

  New décor, new logo… New start, Léon stepping purposefully into the 21st century

• 2005

  Grand remodelling

• 2001

  Creation of the Léon beer

• 1993

  Léon celebrates its centenary in grand style

• 1988

  Opening of Léon Bruparck

• 1982

  Takeover by Rudy Vanlancker representing the 5th generation

• 1980

  Premature death of Georges Vanlancker (4th generation VANLANCKER), father of Paul and Rudy

• 1963

  Paul Vanlancker joins the family business and takes over with his wife Dany

• 1936

  Acquisition of the building 20 Bouchers street

• 1893

  Move to 18 Bouchers street and foundation of "Frituur Léon"

• 1867

  Opening of the restaurant "Á la ville d'Anvers", Little Bouchers street 14

• 1845

  Birth of Léon Vanlancker

Traditional Brussels brasserie and tourist destination, known for simple Belgian cuisine and a historic atmosphere.

• Moules-frites

  The signature dish, mussels with fries cooked in the simple Belgian style.

• Jumbo Zeeland Mussels

  Plumper, more generous mussels served in a generous pot with crispy fries.

• Léon beer

  The restaurant's own beer, created in 1988 and served on Brussels Airlines planes.

1. 1Home - Chez Léonchezleon.be
2. 2Our restaurant - Chez Léonchezleon.be
3. 3Group meals - Chez Léonchezleon.be
4. 4Chez Léon - Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5Chez Léon - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org