Grand Casino Brussels isn’t just Belgium’s largest casino in terms of both size and revenue—averaging an impressive €800,000 a day—it’s also home to one of the city’s most underrated dining experiences.
Tucked inside this dynamic venue is a restaurant that defies expectations. “We are an atypical restaurant,” explains maître d’hôtel Spiros. “Because we’re located in a casino, the rhythm here is very different. People come in at all hours—some before the theater at 6 p.m., others after 11:30 p.m. when the casino really starts buzzing. We’re open until 2 a.m., and we can serve up to 1,000 guests over a weekend. Around 200 of those dine with us, but at staggered times. It’s not your typical restaurant flow.”
Despite the unusual setting, or perhaps because of it, the culinary offering is anything but an afterthought. The star of the menu? Dry-aged premium cuts of meat, presented in a glass-fronted fridge that gives guests a peek into the maturation process.
“This week we’re serving a Tomahawk steak from Black Angus—1.2 kilos for €79, perfect for two,” says Spiros. “Other weeks, we might have Hereford or Simmental beef. When the meat arrives, it’s already been aged for three weeks. We then age it for another two in our fridge, using Himalayan salt blocks and precise temperature control. From five weeks on, the flavor really develops. The meat loses moisture, but becomes more tender and gains a deeper, more intense taste.”
Thanks to this method, the restaurant can mature meat for up to eight or even ten weeks. “It’s a bit like curing sausages,” Spiros adds. “The salt allows the meat to develop a crust that protects it, and the flavor becomes richer. For me, five weeks is perfect. That’s when the taste really peaks.”
Aside from the weekly special, the menu features a selection of cuts including ribeye, entrecôte, and filet pur—all carefully chosen for quality and marbling. “Our filet pur is exceptional because it’s Black Angus. Normally, filet pur has less flavor than a ribeye, but this one is different—it’s well-marbled, tender, and full of character. But if the marbling is too much, like in Japanese Kobe beef, it’s no longer ideal for filet pur,” Spiros explains.
Of course, there’s more to the menu than just steak. Starters range from prawns in garlic butter and Caesar salad to goat cheese with toasted hazelnuts, cèpes soup, and beef tartare with truffle crisps.
One of the standout dishes that we tried is the Nordsea croquette, filled with a generous mix of grey shrimp, mussels, and cod—not overly creamy or stuffed with sauce as lately is the case in many restaurants, but well-balanced and packed with flavor.
During our visit, we also opted for the beef tartare with truffle crisp—a perfectly balanced dish with just the right amount of truffle and Tabasco, never overpowering.
But the real highlight was the Tomahawk steak, served exactly à point as requested. Juicy, deeply flavorful, and paired with golden fries and a fresh side salad, it was a meal that left a lasting impression—and remarkable value at €79 for two.
There are also rotating appetizer specials, often tapas-style snacks like chicken wings or fried scampi, adding even more variety for repeat visitors. “We change things up all the time,” says Spiros. “Many of our guests come regularly—some after a game, others before a poker night. There’s always something new to discover.”
Final Verdict:
Grand Casino Brussels offers more than gaming thrills—it delivers a high-quality, late-night dining experience that rivals the city’s better-known restaurants. With expertly aged meats, a refined but accessible menu, and service that adapts to its unique environment, it’s a culinary gem hiding in plain sight.
Practical Information – VIAGE
Location:
Entrance via the Anspach Gallery (Place de la Monnaie, at the intersection of Kleerkopersstraat and Schildknaapsstraat)
Nearby Parking Options:
Schildknaap, Munt, De Brouckère, Parking 58
Metro: De Brouckère
Special evening rate: Thanks to a partnership with Interparking Schildknaap, visitors can benefit from a unique parking rate of just €5 from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
At a Glance:
- Since 2010, VIAGE has been located in the heart of Brussels, housed in a listed building spanning over 14,500 m² and featuring a modern interior.
- VIAGE is part of the international Casinos Austria International (CAI) group.
- Grand Casino Brussels is the largest casino in Belgium, both in size and in revenue.
- As a major economic player in the city center, VIAGE provides over 250 direct jobs and supports numerous indirect employment opportunities.
- Grand Casino Brussels operates under the VIAGE brand, a comprehensive leisure and entertainment complex that includes a concert hall, casino, bars, and restaurant.
- Open to all: Brussels residents, tourists, business travelers, and even families are welcome.
