Vallée du Ciel

In Brussels since 2007

Belgium's first Romanian restaurant

Our story: from Rustic to Vallée du Ciel

Vallée du Ciel is an authentic Romanian restaurant at 13 Rue Grétry, in the very heart of Brussels. Founded in 2007 as "Rustic" (later "Restauration roumaine - Rustic"), it is Belgium's first Romanian restaurant and the oldest still in continuous operation. For close to 20 years, Carmen and her team have carried on culinary know-how passed down through generations, with the same passion and the same insistence on quality. Our guests come from Brussels, but also from Antwerp, Liège, Ghent, Namur, Charleroi and Mons (from all over Belgium), to find the real flavours of Romania.

The change of name to "Vallée du Ciel" marks a new chapter, while keeping the identity that built our reputation: Romanian family recipes, fresh produce, and warm hospitality. If you knew us as Rustic, you will find the same cooking, the same faces and the same spirit, simply under a new name that reflects what we set out to do: give every guest an authentic culinary journey to the edge of Eastern Europe.

What sets us apart

  • Close to 20 years of experience in authentic Romanian cooking, Belgium's first and oldest Romanian restaurant, open without interruption since 2007.
  • #1 on Google for the search "Romanian restaurant Brussels", a position built on quality and consistency, not on advertising.
  • Family recipes passed down through generations, prepared every day with fresh, seasonal produce.
  • Ranked #214 on TripAdvisor among more than 4,800 Brussels restaurants, a standing built one review at a time.
  • 100% homemade cooking : no pre-cooked dishes, nothing frozen. Every plate is made to order in our own kitchen.
  • A small, family atmosphere : our dining room is a piece of Romania in the middle of Brussels, with a warm welcome in three languages.

Our signature dishes

Mici (Mititei)

Small rolls of beef and pork grilled over charcoal, seasoned with garlic, cumin and bicarbonate following the traditional Romanian recipe. Served with strong mustard and fresh bread. Mici are Romania's street food par excellence, on every summer terrace and at every village fair since the 19th century.

Sarmale

Fermented white cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat, rice and spices, then simmered slowly for several hours. Sarmale are the dish of every Romanian celebration (Christmas, Easter, weddings), and every family has its own version. We serve ours with mămăligă and smântână (sour cream).

Ciorbă de burtă

A traditional sour soup of beef tripe, simmered slowly with vegetables, garlic and borș (fermented wheat bran). Served with a hot pepper and sour cream, it is widely held in Romania to be the best cure after a long night. A classic our regulars order every single time.

Mămăligă cu brânză

Romanian polenta, served creamy with brânză (traditional Romanian cheese) and smântână. An age-old staple on every Romanian table, mămăligă takes the place of bread in the traditional cooking of the Carpathians. Here it goes perfectly with sarmale and grilled meats.

Papanași

Fritters of fresh cheese (brânză de vaci), fried and served with forest-fruit jam and smântână. This emblematic Romanian dessert is a fixture of our menu. Soft inside, golden outside, the right ending to an authentic Romanian meal.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know before your visit

What is the connection with the Rustic restaurant?
Vallée du Ciel is the new name of the "Rustic" restaurant founded in 2007 at 13 Rue Grétry. The team, the recipes and the spirit remain identical. Another establishment called "Rustic" opened at 3 Rue Grétry, it is a different restaurant, with no connection to ours.
Can I book online?
Yes, you can book directly by WhatsApp at +32 474 26 17 48 or by phone. We strongly recommend booking on weekends and public holidays, as our intimate dining room fills up quickly.
Do you offer delivery?
Yes, we offer delivery through Takeaway.com. You can order our full menu online and have it delivered anywhere in Brussels. Pickup on site is also available.
Which dishes do you recommend to discover Romanian cuisine?
For a first taste, we recommend mici (grilled meat rolls), sarmale (stuffed cabbage leaves) and ciorbă (traditional soup). Pair them with a mămăligă cu brânză and finish with papanași, you'll get a complete picture of Romanian flavors.
Is Vallée du Ciel the best Romanian restaurant in Belgium?
Vallée du Ciel is the first and oldest authentic Romanian restaurant in Belgium, founded in 2007 in Brussels. Ranked #1 on Google for "Romanian restaurant Brussels" and #214 on TripAdvisor among 4,800+ Brussels restaurants, it is praised by a Romanian and Belgian community coming from all over the country (Brussels, Antwerp, Liège, Ghent, Namur, Charleroi, Mons), for its loyalty to traditional recipes and its family atmosphere.