6 connoisseur restaurant tips

'Safar' is the Arabic word for travel. At the back of the atmospheric art-deco building that houses hotel Maison Hustinx & Spa, you go on a culinary exploration of Lebanese and Levantine cuisine. The latter originates from the eastern Mediterranean. Fresh herbs such as za'atar (a kind of wild oregano), cardamom and cloves are a standard part of the various dishes to give them even more flavour. Those same dishes are also designed to be shared in pairs or more, according to a centuries-old Beirut tradition.

Brandsøn surprises you right away with its décor. A catering establishment in Montreal was the inspiration for the large, round bar at the entrance. In the restaurant area, you are transported to Scandinavia. And in a central place, you will find a mosasaurus or mesh lizard in the Brandsøn logo. The mosasaur refers to Maastricht as the first location where the fossil remains of this prehistoric animal were found and to the restaurant's location: right on the Maas near the 13th-century Sint-Servaas bridge. Brandsøn is at least as surprising when it comes to shared, fine and private dining. A reservation at the chef's table is among the possibilities.

This restaurant just off Our Lady's Square received a Michelin star in 2002. To this day, it has endured all seasons radiantly. Those same seasons determine the menu. On it are eight small dishes that change every month. Tout à Fait has a preference for classic cuisine with recognisable dishes. There are no Asian influences. Yet apart from tradition, there is more than enough room for creativity and originality. This is because the staff at Tout à Fait constantly inspire and challenge each other.

NOON 's open kitchen is half Mediterranean and half Asian. Inside - soft yellow marl wall, cheerful murals, lots of (hanging) plants - there is room for around 70 people. On the outdoor terrace close to the Maas, that's more than double. From the terrace you can wave to passing boaters and have a particularly nice view of (left) the Sint-Servaas bridge, (right) the Wilhelmina bridge and the Maastricht skyline. NOON is known as a quirky hideout amidst the local restaurant scene. Not for nothing do many people know how to find it quickly. Because of the uncommon dishes, the distinctive cocktails ánd the distinctive wine list.

A classically decorated French restaurant serving classic French dishes such as steak tartare and confit de canard. Bouchon d'en Face concentrates mainly on the rich flavour of meat and, to a lesser extent, nouvelle or haute cuisine. About the name: Lyon used to be a textile city. Small cafés sprang up in various districts where you could also get a simple meal as a textile worker. Those cafés were recognisable by a straw bundle on the facade. Those little bundles were called bouchons. Later, the eateries were also called bouchons. But to what does 'd'en face' (across the street) refer? A friendly staff member at Bouchon d'en Face will be happy to answer that.

In January 2020, Beluga Loves You new style received its first Michelin star. You are welcomed in Bosco, a mystical, wooded setting. This is followed by the main room Aqua, overlooking the Maas and Maastricht. To conclude the meal, there is Terra, an intimate underground location. Beluga Loves You works according to the principles of the RAW cooking style: simplicity of cooking and use of the animal from head to tail go hand in hand with sustainable products from the region, among others. Such as Maastricht chocolates alongside herbs, flowers and plants from Margraten and trout from the Voerstreek. All in all, Beluga Loves You offers more than enough 'ingredients' to love Beluga too.