Our history

Niels Family

The origin of the Niels family’s restaurant and hotel adventure begins with the founder of the group, Joseph Niels, son of farmers in Pajottenland. As a young man, he obtained a position at the Savoy Hotel in London.

In 1915 Joseph Niels returns to Belgium and becomes the manager of “La Taverne Royale” in the “Galeries de la Reine”.

In 1924 Joseph Niels invents the recipe for the “Filet Americain”, which has remained unchanged ever since.

In 1926, Joseph opens the Canterbury Hotel and Restaurant on Boulevard Emile Jacqmain. He manages an independent pavilion at the Brussels World Fair of 1935.

1940 sees the death of Joseph Niels. His sons Albert (1917-1978) and Georges (1919-2000) succeed him.

1948, opening of the Nielsvins wine store. Management of the restaurant La Couronne at the Grand Place in Brussels. Opening of the restaurant Le Claridge in Buenos Aires, Argentina, they are the owners for two years.

1958: At the request of the Argentine government, Albert and Georges Niels run the Argentine pavilion at the World Fair in Brussels.

Albert Niels takes over the business with his three sons, Michel, Philippe and Albert-Jean.

1968: Opening of the restaurant Au Vieux Saint Martin on the Grand Sablon place in Brussels.
1970: Albert Niels introduces the Japanese to Belgian fries at the Osaka World Expo
1971: Opening of the restaurant La Marie-Joseph at the Marché aux Poisson.
1974: Launch of the restaurant “Au Duc d’Arenberg” at the Petit Sablon place in Brussels.
1978: Death of Albert Niels. His three sons succeed him but Michel Niels quickly leaves the association.
1992: Launch of the restaurant “Le Canterbury” at the Etangs d’Ixelles.

The adventure continues...

In 2011, Albert-Jean and Philippe Niels decide to work separately with their descendants. Albert-Jean and his son Frédéric take over the restaurant “Au Vieux Saint Martin” on their own.

2015: Opening of the restaurant “Au Grand Forestier” in Watermael-Boitsfort.
2017: Launch of “Chambres de Martin”, bed and breakfast above the Vieux Saint Martin.
2018: Opening of the restaurant “Au Savoy” Place Georges Brugmann in Ixelles.
2020: Launch of Alfred, a take-out and delivery service for prepared meals.
Fall 2022: Opening of the “Claridge”, a rotisserie located in Waterloo.

2024: Already a century at your service! This year marks the centenary of the invention of the “Filet Américain” by our ancestor Joseph Niels in 1924.

Niels Family

1890

Birth of Joseph Niels, son of farmers from Pajottenland

1908

Joseph Niels gets a job at the “Savoy Hotel” in London

1915

Joseph Niels returns to Brussels and becomes the manager of La Taverne Royale in the Galeries de la Reine

1924

Joseph Niels invents the recipe for the “Filet Américain”,
unchanged since

1926

Opening of the Canterbury hotel-restaurant at 129 Boulevard Emile Jacqmain

1935

Independent pavilion at the Brussels World Fair

1940

Death of Joseph Niels. His sons Albert and Georges succeed him

1948

Opening of Nielsvins
Opening of the restaurant of the Claridge Hotel in
Buenos Aires Argentina

1958

Restaurant of the Argentine pavilion at the Brussels World Fair Albert Niels takes over with his three sons, Michel, Philippe and Albert-Jean

1968

Opening of the restaurant “Au Vieux Saint Martin” on the Grand Sablon in Brussels

1971

Opening of the restaurant La Marie-Joseph at the Marché aux Poisson

1974

Opening of the restaurant Au Duc d’Arenberg Place du Petit Sablon

1978

Death of d’Albert Niels. His three sons succeed him but Michel Niels quickly leaves the association

1992

Opening of the restaurant The “Canterbury” at the Etangs d’Ixelles

2011

Albert-Jean and his son Frédéric take over the restaurant “Au Vieux Saint Martin” on their own

2015

Opening of the restaurant “Au Grand Forestier” in Watermael-Boitsfort

2017

Opening of “Chambres de Martin”, bed and breakfast above the Vieux Saint Martin

2018

Opening of the restaurant “Au Savoy” Place Georges Brugmann in Ixelles

2020

Launch of « Alfred », a take-out and delivery service for prepared meals

2022

Opening of the « Claridge » located in Waterloo

2024

We’re celebrating our centenary!

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Centenary of the Filet Américain by NIELS