Stirwen, where the truth of the product becomes a golden thread

In the heart of Brussels’ Jourdan district, within this elegant house where diners come seeking precision and sincerity, François-Xavier Lambory continues his work with the same integrity as on day one. Here, the product is no pretext: it is a companion. Land and sea fuel his inspiration, and the chef reveals their nobility with rare consistency, transforming the turbulence of our time into a driving force for creation.

Over the years, François-Xavier has shaped Stirwen in his own image: a redesigned bar, a private lounge, a reimagined dining room, a rethought kitchen… A luminous, comfortable setting where classical gastronomy is reinvented with refinement and a hint of fantasy. Nothing is showy; everything is controlled.

On the plate, the line is clear: seasonal, precise and inspired cooking, faithful to exceptional producers. A cuisine of truth, where every gesture is an homage to the living world.
The culinary journey unfolds in carefully crafted sequences: Port-en-Bessin scallops, carpaccio, Isigny special oysters, variations of celery; Gambero rosso di Mazara, tartare, stracciatella, Carnaroli saffron risotto; veal sweetbreads fricassée, leek fondue, lardo di Colonnata, Parmigiano; special “Octave” oysters Florentine-style, champagne sabayon, spinach; day’s catch with mussels and squid from Mont-Saint-Michel, saffron; sweetbreads meunière with salsify, parmigiano vacche rosse, lardo di Colonnata; or venison fillet Rossini-style with black truffle, foie gras and Madeira. To finish: warm and cold Taïnori chocolate, salted butter caramel and Piedmont hazelnuts.

In the dining room, attentive service sets the tone. And it is not rare for the chef himself to come forward to explain a dish, discuss a cuisson, evoke a lièvre à la royale or a patiently composed game menu. This direct exchange is part of the house: Stirwen cultivates not distance, but transmission.

The wine cellar extends the experience through a generous, sharply curated selection featuring standout bottles from France, Italy and Spain.

For years, Stirwen has remained one of Brussels’ most trusted addresses. A place diners return to with confidence, knowing that each season finds its voice here, and that François-Xavier Lambory remains, above all, what he has always been: a storyteller, a bearer of delicate and delicious narratives.

LD