How Two Belgian Brothers Brought New York’s Burger Culture To Brussels
Inspired by Manhattan’s famous landmarks, Manhattn’s burgers bring American character and Belgian craftsmanship together in every bite.
The Brothers Behind Manhattn’s
Belgian brothers Jerome and Philippe Vandermeulen built Manhattn’s around New York inspiration, combining burgers, distinctive interiors and welcoming teams as their Brussels business expanded across Belgium and into Paris restaurants.
Taking a bite of the “Big Apple” has never been more appetising than at Manhattn’s.
For the uninitiated, Manhattn’s is a very popular burger joint in Belgium, named after New York, nicknamed Big Apple.
From relatively humble roots, this particular “Big Apple” has flourished and grown to the extent that it’s now even crossing borders.
The brand’s official restaurant directory lists three Paris locations: Saint-Michel, Montorgueil and Beaubourg.
This fantastic Belgian culinary/business success story all started, though, in Brussels.
The launch came way back in October 2014 at Avenue Louise, the chic shopping street in the Belgian capital.
The business was started by two enterprising Belgian brothers Jerome and Philippe Vandermeulen.
The brand’s official history describes its October 2014 opening: “It felt like Manhattan’s energy had found a new home. And from that day on, every burger we serve has carried that same promise: bold, unapologetic, and unmistakably New York, done our way.”
Other venues soon followed in other parts of the city, including the Bourse, Merode and Boondael in Ixelles, alongside Fox Food Market in Watermael-Boitsfort and Wijnegem shopping centre. You will also find Manhattn’s in other parts of the country now, including Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges and Leuven.
In a relatively short space of time Jerome and Philippe have very cleverly turned what is a fairly basic concept – serving burgers – into something of an art form.
Timeline — From Manhattan To Europe
- 2011 — The New York Experience — Jerome Vandermeulen travels to New York, selling Belgian waffles on Manhattan’s streets and absorbing the city’s food culture.
- 2013 — Returning With A Vision — After two years in New York, Jerome returns to Belgium, where he and Philippe develop their New York-inspired restaurant concept.
- October 2014 — Manhattn’s Is Born — The brothers open their first burger restaurant on Avenue Louise in Brussels.
- Following Years — Belgian Expansion — More locations follow across Brussels and other Belgian cities, including Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges and Leuven.
- By October 2026 — The Paris Chapter — Manhattn’s expands internationally, with its Place St Michel opening becoming the brand’s third Paris location.
The Avenue Louise venue, where it all started, remains as popular as ever and that is partly down to the sort of very friendly and welcoming staff there (as at the other branches of Manhattn’s).
Charly, the manager at Avenue Louise, relocated from his home in Paris three years ago and explains one of the secrets of the Vandermeulen success story.
He says, “When you are selling burgers you must do something a bit different to others.
“The difference you will find at Manhattn’s is the friendliness of the teams.”
That includes Charly’s welcoming and cheerful young colleagues like Ines whose friendly demeanour should be copied by some of the surly staff you find at other eateries in Belgium.
It is their Unique Selling Point but, so too, is something else that rather matters – the quality of the burgers.
They are, imaginatively, named after famous landmarks in the Big Apple (New York) such as Rockefeller Burger (one of the best selling ones); Empire Cheeseburger; Brooklyn Falafel Burger; Central Park Kids’ Burger and Harlem Chicken Burger.
The décor is decidedly inspired by the famous American city. The design blends New York-inspired elements like art deco, subway style, and industrial metal with bright taxi-cab yellow and comic-style illustrations.
All this, in essence, started in 2011 when Jerome went to work for a spell in New York City with “nothing but ambition and a Belgian waffle iron.”
For two years he baked waffles on the streets of Manhattan, soaking up the city’s hustle, its flavours, its rhythm.
Returning to Belgium, he and his brother set out to reinvent the Big Apple ambience in their home country.
The theme even extends to the loos where you will find large artwork invoking the United States’ great Gatsby era.
It is, as they say, all “bold, unapologetic, and unmistakably New York but done our way.”
The menu itself is pretty much standard at all Manhattn’s: there’s a choice of brilliant burgers, including four classics like the Gotham Burger, plus a couple of flame-grilled chicken options; a veggie burger; Madison chicken salad.
Look out for the choice of toppings, such as grilled bacon and pickled cucumbers, plus the rather special homemade sauces (including “smokey BBQ sauce, smoke aioli and one, slightly mysteriously called a “secret sauce”).
Sides include fresh, Belgian fries, spicy mix fries and parmesan truffle fries.
The card remains constant throughout the year but what does change, seasonally, are the “Broadway specials” which, at the time of reporting, featured a “Butcher’s Bearnaise Burger” and “Sweet Potato Parmesan Truffle Fries.”
One important notable feature about this and with all Manhattn’s is that they use 100 percent grass-fed Irish Angus beef.
They NEVER use frozen meat because, as the card itself says, “great burgers start long before they hit the grill.”
The Manhattn’s method is to “seal in the juice” (of the meat) so that it lands on the plate “exactly how it should: rich and honest.”
According to Manhattn’s official food philosophy, its Belgian fries are made from fresh local potatoes and cooked twice.
That is but one reason why the Avenue Louise branch – the original Manhattn’s – is frequented by so many regulars, some of whom love the burgers so much they visit 2 to 3 times per week.
The portions are generous and if you still have room for more you can get your sweet fix by sampling a lovely homemade chocolate chip sea-salt cookie, served with coffee or Madagascar vanilla ice cream.
Some really great grub can be washed down by a great choice of drinks, including “Manhattn’s Margarita” or “Homemade Arnold Palmer,” listed as a signature cocktail and mocktail, those famous Belgian beers like Brugge Tripel, Steenbrugge and a tasty IPA from the Brussels Beer Project.
It is all very reasonably priced – the official Belgian autumn 2026 menu lists the Empire Cheeseburger at €12.90 – and the whole Manhattn’s concept reflects very well on a couple of enterprising Belgian blokes and their very hard-working and bubbly staff. Open daily from 11.30am to 10.30pm.
Manhattn’s
164 Av. Louise, Brussels
t 02 649 8595
Review by Martin Banks. Read his original report in Active News.
