Raffat — Restaurant in Leuven

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Raffat in Leuven, and I must say it was an extraordinary experience from start to finish. As soon as we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the attentive staff, who made us feel right at home. The restaurant itself had a charming and elegant ambiance, with tasteful décor and soft lighting that set the mood perfectly.

Now let's talk about the food—absolute perfection! Each dish we tried showcased the chef's exceptional culinary skills and attention to detail. From the appetizers to the desserts, every bite was a harmonious explosion of flavors. The menu featured a wide range of options, including vegetarian and gluten-free choices, ensuring there was something for everyone.

One standout dish that truly impressed me was the seared scallops with truffle risotto. The scallops were perfectly cooked to tender perfection, and the creamy risotto was infused with the rich aroma of truffles. It was a heavenly combination that left me wanting more.

The service at Raffat was impeccable. The waitstaff was knowledgeable about the menu and provided excellent recommendations. They were attentive throughout the meal, ensuring our glasses were never empty and promptly clearing plates without being intrusive.

The attention to detail extended beyond the food and service. The presentation of each dish was a work of art, elevating the dining experience to new heights. Additionally, the wine selection was extensive, featuring both local and international choices, and our server expertly guided us to a perfect pairing.

Raffat truly excels in creating a memorable dining experience. The combination of outstanding food, attentive service, and inviting atmosphere make it a must-visit restaurant in Leuven. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for an exquisite meal, Raffat will undoubtedly exceed your expectations. I can't wait to return and indulge in their culinary...

Overpriced

In short: far too expensive for the actual quality of the food. Overall, we were unfortunately disappointed, especially considering the high prices and the otherwise overwhelmingly positive reviews, which we honestly don’t quite understand.

Positive: We had a drink that was truly delicious and well-balanced in sweetness and acidity. The service was also professional and polite. The cauliflower dish (Gobi Awesome) was tasty as well – the sweet and sour sauce stood out from the typical store-bought versions.

The rest – not great. The vegetables in the Sabzi dish were good, but the sauce was bland and lacked any depth of flavor. The polenta was extremely dry and hard, as if it had been fried hours earlier. In hindsight, I regret not sending it back. The eggplant (Bangan Baby) was overcooked to the point of being mushy and had no flavor at all. We had hoped for exciting spices and fresh herbs, but the only taste came from the tomato sauce – which wasn’t convincing either (no sign of chili). The pasta with shiitake mushrooms was okay, but nothing special at all.

We also thought the concept was to share and enjoy several dishes at the same time, with the table full of food. Instead, our dishes arrived one by one, with sometimes very long waits in between. For example, the naan came 20 minutes before the rest of the food, so we had nothing to eat it with. That didn’t really work for us — even though we do enjoy taking our time over dinner.

Overall, we left the restaurant disappointed. The food wasn’t bad, but it was far from great — which is what you’d expect given the high prices and the way...

This is a 2-star review because their food is very good.

Unfortunately, that is the only positive part of our experience at Raffat. Perhaps Belgians are more used to this type of hospitality but for an upper-tier restaurant (for Leuven) I think the standards should be higher.

When we arrived, we were told that we can order a fixed menu as we are a group of 5+. We soon realised this was not a can but a must and they would not serve us single dishes even if we wanted to. We had to eat a 6 course meal or not dine there at all. We were also not able to substitute or pick the dishes other than vegetarian substitutions. For comparison, average price of a dish is 10 EUR while a fixed menu price is 35 EUR. You are basically being punished for coming in a larger group.

Their cocktails are incredibly overpriced for the quality. The Bartender's Special is not special at all nor are any of their cocktails actually 'smoked' - they simply put a smoke bubble using a machine on top of your drink (from herbs).

To top it off, they would not split the bill for 8 people. This is common in Belgium but I did not expect it from a mid-upper tier restaurant. Does this mean that if someone comes with colleagues, one person must pick up the bill? Just because you don't want to pay a bit more to the bank? This must not be the customers problem.

The service is great. They are kind and informative and were very respectful the whole time. I would just hope Raffat can learn and uphold global hospitality standards instead of charging such prices while treating customers like they're begging...