Housed in the famous Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels city centre, the Bozar Restaurant now ranks among the best restaurants in the world, coming in 63rd on the extended '51-100' list in the UK's 'World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024' ranking published on Wednesday.
Every year, the ranking – compiled by 1,080 independent culinary experts such as chefs, food journalists and restaurateurs – lists the 100 best restaurants in the world. The restaurant rankings are published in two batches: first, those in 51st to 100th place, then the 50 best released about two weeks later.
"Bozar is the culinary jewel in the crown of Brussels' art deco Centre for Fine Arts – the last building ever to have been designed by architectural luminary Victor Horta," the organisation said on its website. "In 2018, upon being awarded a Michelin star, Armenian-born chef Karen Torosyan fulfilled a long-held ambition by buying out the venue he had helped to establish."
Karen Torosyan of Bozar restaurant celebrates his second star during the presentation of the new edition of the Michelin 2023 restaurant guide. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
"While the descriptor has changed from 'Brasserie' to 'Restaurant', the menus still feature the same sort of artisan-led, New Belgian fare with which Torosyan made his name," they added.
Last year, the Brussels restaurant was also awarded two stars by the Michelin Guide, and received a 17/20 rating from the Gault et Millau gastronomic guide as well. Bozar is the only Belgian restaurant in 2024 to be included in this extended ranking and is one of 12 new entries located in 11 different cities, including Berlin, Mumbai, Seoul and Sydney.
On social media, the restaurant announced that it made it onto the ranking: "I have no words, this is just unbelievable!"
In 2023, the two-Michelin-starred Antwerp restaurant The Jane was ranked 39th on the list. Whether it will have moved up or down in the ranking will become clear on Wednesday 5 June.
