Vegan hotspots in Hasselt to get your plant-based fix
With the climate marches everywhere in the news, it is no surprise that people are becoming more aware of their impact on the climate. Living greener seems like an overwhelming challenge, but there are lots of small things you can change in your daily life. Veganism is one way to reduce your ecological footprint. Luckily, eating vegan isn’t as difficult as it was a few years ago. New restaurants are popping up constantly. Although Antwerp and Ghent are frequently seen as the major vegan-friendly cities in Belgium, Hasselt is turning into the new place to be for vegan food lovers. Below are our favourite vegan hotspots in Hasselt where you can enjoy some good food, without harming any animals.
Article and pictures by Eline Rymenans & Nicoletta D'Ambrosio
ALL ABOUT EVE
The place to go if: you’re in the mood for some comfort food and want eating out to feel like coming home.
Eveline started out as a beautician who had trouble finding natural cosmetics. She opened up her own cosmetics shop and after a while decided to start selling food as well. Combined with her husband Giuseppe’s Italian roots, their goal is to serve vegan comfort food in a homely atmosphere. That’s why they don’t define 'All About Eve' as a restaurant, but as an experience instead. All their groceries come from local businesses so you will be supporting independent brands while also eating good food. Their pasta is homemade and has the Italian stamp of approval, what more can you ask for?
Ridderstraat 5. Open Monday to Thursday from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PEAS
The place to go if: you have a sweet tooth and want to treat yourself.
The owners of PEAS started out 2 years ago in their own kitchen. At first, they sold vegan lunches, which people could pick up at their home, but then they noticed the demand for vegan dessert and opened up their shop in Hasselt. They believe that small people making extreme choices won't have a big enough positive impact on the environment. Instead, they want to encourage everyone to be aware of their lifestyle and make an effort to live more sustainable and ecological. That's why they want to introduce plant-based food, and what better way to reach people than by selling sweets? Their offer may seem small but they have a wide variety of different toppings that change every month. PEAS is planning on opening a new location soon, so be on the lookout for that!
Minderbroedersstraat 32. Open Monday to Saturday from 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LENTO
The place to go if: you want to take your time to enjoy some fine dining.
Lento is the latest newcomer in the vegan Hasselt scene. Their name is Spanish and translates to “slow”, so don't expect any fast food here. The owners are a young couple who loved to eat out but found it difficult when they became vegan. That’s why the main goal of their restaurant is to serve people food that takes time. They put time and effort into their dishes to bring you a fine dining experience. Even though they have only been open for a couple of months, Lento has already won the Belgian Vegan Award for Best Restaurant.
Zuivelmarkt 34. Open Tuesday from 5.30 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Wednesday and Thursday from 11.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Friday and Saturday from 11.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
DE SLADERIJ
The place to go if: you’re looking for a healthy spot where you can enjoy some good vegan food, while also appeasing your meat-eating friends.
Owner Geraldine has been vegan herself for 1,5 years but chooses to cater to a diverse public. She wants everyone from meat-eaters to vegans to feel welcome and enjoy some food together. Her focus is on healthy and seasonal food. That’s why she makes everything herself, from the little bread rolls to the dressings. Be sure to try the veggie balls on a salad, as the recipe changes every month at De Sladerij.
Havermarkt 39. Open Monday to Saturday from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
DE LEVENSBOOM
The place to go if: you want a variety of refined plant-based tapas without having to decide what to pick from an enormous menu.
The restaurant itself has an extensive history: under previous ownership, it was one of the first macrobiotic restaurants in Belgium. The current owner decided to start serving plant-based food 3 years ago, a first in Hasselt. De Levensboom has a fixed three-course menu, consisting of different vegan tapas, that changes according to the seasons. This is perfect for indecisive people who never know what to choose from the menu! The owner strives for the most conscious and seasonal food possible. That's why he avoids plastic packaging and buys his ingredients from local farms. "Every restaurant should operate like us, with a healthy and honest kitchen."
Leopoldplein 44. Open Wednesday to Thursday from 12 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., on Friday from 12 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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