One of the most whimsical places in Brussels is definitely ‘Le Chalet Robinson’. This restaurant-lounge in the middle of an island in the La Cambre woods (Ter Kameren Bos in Dutch). If you want to go there, you have to cross the lake with a boat. This short trip takes you immediately back into time. You can imagine couples from the beginning of the 20th century walking around the island. Men with top hats wooing women with lace parasols on a perfect Summer day. Having a light lunch or a tea with biscuits in the afternoon on the terrace of the chalet.The Chalet was built in 1877 but burnt down in 1896. After it was rebuilt in 1924 (yes, 24 years later), it burnt down again in 1991. But last year, in the Summer of 2009, it opened its doors again. Let’s hope there isn’t a curse on the chalet. We’re sure they have enough fire extinguishers around nowadays… The I Love Belgium team paid the chalet a visit on Valentine’s Day and had the most wonderful time. The enormous heart on the balcony of Le Chalet Robinson and the snowy landscape made it a picture perfect place to spend the afternoon. It made us forget that sometimes the perfect was a little slow, but hey the place was packed. The pancake was okay, but not extraordinary. But Le Chalet Robinson is an experience and the surroundings makes up for everything. We’ll certainly check it out again to get some exercise on one of the rowing boats….

Le Chalet Robinson

Bois de La Cambre

Sentier de L’Embarcadère

1000 Brussels

Opening hours: 7 days a week from 10am till 2.30pm and from 7pm till 11pm

© I love Belgium