Much as I love my aunt, there was much four-yearold whining on my part in preparation for visits to her house. “There’s nothing to eat there!” (I guess the roots of my current career were evident even then.)

Vegan – and vegetarian – food has come a long way. Many Belgian establishments may still be lagging behind the vegetarian trend, but others have excelled in feeding this particular demographic – so much so that even a carnivore can feel satisfied.

When it comes to vegetarian restaurants in Belgium, Greenway is an institution. Since 1997 in Ghent, and since 2004 in Leuven, they have supplied Belgian palates with simple, straightforward fare. Prices are low, helped by the basic setup: you order at the counter and bus your own table before you leave. But the décor is bright and comfortable, so you’ll hardly feel like you’re in a cafeteria.

In some ways, the menu is not so different from a Belgian brasserie – salads, soups and pastas are as typical as they come, except for being vegetarian (or vegan, where indicated). You’ll find a few sandwiches, including “Join the club sandwich”, a haloumi-cheese-andtempeh combo, voted best sandwich in Belgium at Flanders Expo’s 2008 Horecabeurs (hotel and restaurant trade fair).

The veggie-burger market has always been a tough one. Greenway offers three contenders, made especially for them by local veggie-burger specialist La Vie Est Belle: cheese and potato, spinach and carrot. A world food section finishes off the menu, including chili, curry and lasagne, and daily specials feature vegetarian proteins: beans, tofu and tempeh, oh my!

Desserts are one area that often seems to suffer in vegetarian establishments, particularly vegan attempts. Greenway’s selection is not as rich as your local bakery, but they do offer a good selection of brownies, tiramisu and pies.

Greenway can also be enjoyed at home. All dishes are available for take away, or for the true fans, seek out their catering service. For the lazy and/or sceptical, you need look no further than your local Delhaize. Greenway chef and founder Paul Florizoone contributed several dishes to the store’s line of ready-made meals, each inspired by local, well known chefs. His resulting microwavable concoctions are enjoyable renditions of typical Greenway meals.

www.greenway.be