This autumn they will open a Food Market in Gare Maritime, the bustling commercial heart of Tour & Taxis. It will be an innovative culinary meeting place where anyone with a heart for tasty and healthy food can come and taste the richness of Belgian gastronomy.
Sustainability and positive impact are paramount. The Gare Maritime Food Market will be the largest in Europe and will excel in qualitative details. The project offers space for 10 restaurants, cozy covered terraces and trendy food shops. The Victoria Flagship Bar will be responsible for the necessary drinks. The Food Market will open its doors in the autumn.
The Gare Maritime Food Market is created thanks to a partnership between real estate player Extensa, which transforms Tour & Taxis into a progressive city district, and AB Inbev, internationally renowned for its wide range of top beers such as Stella Artois, Jupiler and – launched in 2020 – Victoria. Both parties find each other in their progressive vision on sustainability and their passion for Belgian gastronomy.
"We embrace contemporary challenges and obstacles. And we expect the same from our allies. Together we are connected by the passion to pioneer, accelerate and activate. Not to make things run the way they always do. It is to stimulate initiatives that have an impact", as it sounds at Kris Verhellen, CEO of Extensa.
Extensa has previously been in charge of the award-winning renovation of Gare Maritime. Once the largest freight station in Europe, today the epitome of circular architecture. This vibrant covered city wants to be a home for young and established brands and companies. That includes talented chefs. The innovative Food Market will be operated by AB InBev, a first in the brewery's rich history.
The Food Market in Gare Maritime wants guests to taste all the flavors belgian cuisine has to offer. The project offers space for 10 different concepts that together offer a culinary view of the varied food scene in our country. AB InBev attracts both young talents and renowned chefs. The focus is invariably on the product: local, seasonal and always top quality.
In the middle of the Food Market comes a large bar with the central beer brand Victoria. With its "Dare to be good", referring to its 100% natural ingredients, it fits perfectly into the Food Market. The slogan also honours the victory of the Archangel Saint Michael, who in 1695 defended Brussels as patron saint against evil.
"Our ambition goes beyond a qualitative culinary concept. We also pay attention to our social impact and want to forge a connection with the Belgians, Brussels residents and the surroundings of Tour & Taxis," says Pieter Anciaux, Director of Hospitality at AB InBev Belgium. ■
The final few days of September will feature mostly tranquil weather conditions throughout the Nation outside of a few areas expecting scattered showers and thunderstorms.