The Bozar Restaurant in Brussels has been named among the 100 best restaurants in the world – coming in 63rd on the extended '51-100' list in the UK's 'World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025' ranking published on Wednesday.
Housed in the famous Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels city centre, the restaurant is now featured on the list for the second year in a row – at exactly the same spot as in 2024.
"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, Armenian-born chef Karen Torosyan fulfilled a long-held ambition by buying out the venue he had helped establish."
While the descriptor has changed from ‘Brasserie’ to ‘Restaurant’, the organisation stressed that the menus still feature "the same sort of artisan-led, New Belgian fare with which Torosyan made his name."
'Immensely proud'
On social media, Torosyan said he was "honoured and immensely proud" to be included in the ranking for the second consecutive year. "For 15 years, our restaurant has never stopped evolving. I like to think of our house as a living entity, shaped with patience, exacting standards, and precision."
He stressed that the restaurant team and cuisine all uphold the same values – "true to our heritage, and always looking ahead" – and thanked the entire team and everyone who came to eat. "The dedication and shared values of our team make achievements like this possible, keeping our spirit elegant, warm, and inspiring."
Bozar is the only Belgian restaurant in 2025 to be included in this extended ranking. It was also awarded two stars by the Michelin Guide, and received a 17.5/20 rating from the Gault & Millau gastronomic guide as well.
Chef of restaurant 'Bozar' in Brussels, Karen Torosyan, pictured during the presentation of the 2025 edition of the Gault&Millau restaurant and hotel guide for the Benelux region, Monday 04 November 2024 in Brussels. Credit: Belga/Dirk Waem
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.
In 2024, the two-Michelin-starred Antwerp restaurant The Jane was ranked 36th on the list. Whether it will have moved up or down in the ranking will become clear on Thursday 19 June.
