Maven — Restaurant in Antwerp

I was conflicted about what rating to give. If it was at least 50% cheaper, I feel like 3 stars would be justified. At this price point, I have to admit I was inclined to give it 2 stars.

I honestly don't understand the high scores, is it just people with too much money who want to show it off and don't want to admit they didn't like it? Or do people actually think this is great food?

Let's start with the positives: the decor is very nice, it's a very cool place, and walking in through the big doors certainly has a bit of a wow effect. Staff is also super friendly, can't fault them at all.

Unfortunately, that's pretty much it... There's a DJ who's blasting inoffensive but not particularly good music at a level that's much too loud for what's supposed to be a nice dinner. Sign of the times, I'm sure, people love their DJs, but I still had hopes of going to dinner without feeling like I'm in a club.

Then, the food, since that's what we're here for, right? I had high hopes for this place, after the reviews and from the general look of it. After reading the menu, my expectations were already knocked down a step. I spotted the Thai Veal Tartare. Great, I love thai food, I love tartare, this is right up my alley, right? Except looking at the ingredients, none of them are even remotely Thai. Soy (ok, could be Thai, albeit it not very typical), yuzu (nope, that's Japanese, not a thing in Thailand), bonito flakes (again, Japanese, not a thing in Thailand) and veal (can't make veal tartare without it, so we'll leave this one out of it). A supposedly high-end restaurant that can't keep their basic cuisines apart, not very promising.

So we decided on the following:

(Appetizer on the house was bread with ham and pickles, quite nice, but the pickles overpowered everything, which would prove to be a trend throughout the meal. Bread was very nice. 7/10)

Secret Iberico with pan con tomate: my boyfriend loved this, I was not particularly impressed, had much better and much cheaper in Spain, meat was a bit flavorless and the tomate was more like pizza sauce. 6.5/10.

Wagyu croquettes: nice enough, but essentially just slightly fancier "bitterballen". Came with a bunch of sauce that I didn't really see the point of, but luckily it was on the side, so no harm done. 7.5/10

Carpaccio with truffle: somebody slipped and landed on this plate with the bowl of truffle facing down... It was hard to find the meat under all the truffle. Generally, I would say that's a good thing, because I love truffle, but it was just too much, could barely taste the meat at all and I felt like I was eating truffle for hours after. 7/10 just because I love carpaccio so you can't really go wrong with that, but boy were they trying.

For the mains we got the Txogitxu (?) and the Mirandesa entrecôtes, bleu chaud, which were presented to us on a plate beforehand, looking good, we're excited. Unfortunately they were a little disappointing. Not a ton of flavor and both of them were really quite chewy. If they'd been 25-30€ I wouldn't have been mad, but at roughly 60€ per piece, I was expecting much more. We went to another place nearby months ago that was also horribly overpriced, but at least their meat was very, very good. Can't say the same for this. 6/10

As sides we got:

Brussel sprouts: nice enough but definitely not great. 6/10

Ratatouille: nice, but some flavors going on that didn't really make the dish any better, bit too salty/sharp? 6.5/10

Fries: decent fries, bit greasy, but nice enough. 7/10

Mushroom sauce: way too salty, don't know if it was just reduced down way too much? I love mushroom sauce, but I didn't even finish this one. 4/10

Also had a glass of rosé champagne, not bad, but at 17€ a glass? Yikes.

We wanted to go for dessert because it looked interesting, but we didn't want to spend even more money only to be disappointed again, so we just had a cocktail. Boyfriend's smoky cocktail seemed nice, my blood orange margarita was a bit watery, and while the "satékruiden" seemed like a cool idea, it didn't really work in...

Maven stands out as the top of excellence when it comes to meat dining in Antwerp. From the moment you set foot in this culinary oasis, you will begin a gastronomic journey like no other. Maven restaurant, a stunning culinary destination in the centre of Belgium, guarantees a memorable dining experience. Maven is a favourite among food lovers alike and because of its tantalizing menu, chic setting and first-rate service.

The meat at Antwerp’s Maven restaurant offers the highest quality in town. It was an amazing experience for me to try the Wagyu beef. The meat’s flawless quality, exquisite flavour, and remarkable tenderness showcased the culinary expertise and dedication to excellence that Maven is known for.

Furthermore, when I walked into the restaurant, I was drawn to one of the decor's standout elements right away. There was a sizable glass exhibit showcasing an astounding variety of premium cuts of meat as I walked up to the eating area. This special addition made the dining experience more theatrical and exciting by allowing diners to see the premium ingredients that would soon be on their plates. The restaurant’s stylish and modern décor, along with subtle lighting and attractive furnishings, produced a refined and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant’s meticulous attention to detail could be seen in every element from the tastefully decorated walls to the immaculately furnished tables.

The service at Maven Restaurant sets a new standard for excellence. The staff is not only attentive and professional but also genuinely passionate about ensuring a memorable dining experience. From the moment you enter, you're greeted with warm smiles and courteous gestures. The waitstaff is knowledgeable about the menu, providing helpful recommendations and accommodating special requests. Throughout the meal, they strike the perfect balance between attentiveness and giving you space to enjoy your meal. The seamless service at Maven contributes to a relaxed and enjoyable dining atmosphere.

In conclusion, Antwerp’s Maven Restaurant in a renowned example of fine dining. It is a must-visit location for food enthusiasts because to the mouth-watering culinary selections, decoration and excellent service. It was a dining experience that will forever remain etched in my memory, and I cannot wait to return for another extraordinary culinary journey at Maven. Whether you're seeking a memorable fine dining experience or a place to celebrate special occasions, Maven exceeds expectations...

The place has a hell of an entrance. You push open these two wooden doors and you’re greeted by a dim, moody glow that wraps around you like a worn leather jacket. Large cuts of meat are presented like it's a piece of art, which immediately sets the tone of 'taking meat serious'. It’s got that urban, industrial thing going—unfinished walls, raw concrete, but in a way that feels deliberate, not half-assed. A DJ spins somewhere in the background, and damn, if the bathroom isn’t one of the nicest I’ve seen in a restaurant. Yeah, that’s right—the bathroom.

The meal starts with some real promise. The beef tartare? Perfect. Smashed carpaccio? A solid punch of flavor. The kind of dishes that make you sit up a little straighter and really take notice. Then the main course rolls in—the steak. Here’s where the magic falters. Sure, the meat is tender, practically melts in your mouth, but it’s bland. Like, buttery but lacking any personality. Maybe that’s the style, but for God’s sake, just put some salt and pepper on the table if you’re going to serve a steak that timid. I’ve had better, and at this price point, you should too.

The sides? Generous, flavorful. No complaints there. And the presentation of everything was on point—modern, clean, good use of green herbs and spices to make it extra appealing.

But let’s talk about the real problem: the pace. We barely had time to get into our cocktails before the starters hit the table. No amuse-bouche, no bread, just bang, here’s your food. It felt rushed, like they were trying to flip the table as fast as possible. Even when we asked them to slow down before the main course, it still came out like they had a timer ticking. Not cool.

And then there’s the temperature—it’s cold. Like, really cold. The kind of cold that makes you want to eat with your jacket on. It sucks the comfort right out of the experience, and paired with the rushed service, it’s just... not what a night out should feel like.

Staff is friendly, nothing to fault here, the lower rating for this part is purely the rushing of food.

One last thing—this place is slightly overpriced. It’s good, but...