Lost Frequencies Takes Over Brussels Restaurant in Ixelles
Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies is expanding into the hospitality sector, joining a four-person consortium that has taken over the former seafood restaurant Le Toucan sur Mer in Ixelles, Brussels. The internationally renowned DJ, born Felix De Laet in Brussels, is partnering with music industry executives and an experienced restaurateur to revive the establishment that closed in June following bankruptcy, as VRT NWS reported.
A New Chapter for a Neighborhood Institution
Le Toucan sur Mer operated for 17 years at Avenue Louis Lepoutre 17 in the Kasteleinswijk (Chatelain) neighborhood of Ixelles, serving seafood platters, oysters, and fish dishes to loyal customers. Despite reporting an “excellent occupancy rate,” the restaurant filed for bankruptcy in June 2026. Its former owners, Jean-Michel Hamon and Charlotte Resimont Hamon, cited a succession of crises affecting the sector, including the pandemic, inflation, rising energy and raw material costs, increased wage costs, and changing consumer habits.
“Today, being full unfortunately no longer suffices to guarantee the profitability of an establishment,” the owners said in their farewell announcement, as Paris Match Belgique reported at the time of the closure.
The closure was part of a broader crisis affecting Brussels’ hospitality sector. According to Moustique, the Horeca sector lost 5,631 jobs in Belgium in 2025, with restaurants and cafes facing mounting pressures from multiple crises.
The Four Partners Behind the Takeover
The consortium bringing Le Toucan sur Mer back to life brings together expertise from the music, events, and hospitality worlds. Alongside Lost Frequencies are Marvin Weymeersch, CEO of the Brussels-based events company Hangar, which organizes electronic music concerts and festivals; Cameron Heal, Weymeersch’s co-founder and business partner at Hangar; and Victor Roisin, an experienced hospitality entrepreneur who owns the restaurants Gratin and Moutarde and recently opened the bar Petit Bailli in Ixelles.
According to BRUZZ, Roisin confirmed the news but declined to elaborate on specific plans. The deal came together quickly - Weymeersch said the group viewed the property, made an offer, and heard it was accepted just three days later.
“Opening a restaurant has always been a bit of a dream of ours,” Weymeersch told BRUZZ. “We were able to view the property quickly, made an offer, and 3 days later we heard it was accepted.”
A New Concept with a Musical Touch
The new owners plan significant changes to the establishment. According to Brussels Today, the restaurant will receive a new name, a new chef will be hired, and the concept will shift toward Mediterranean cuisine in a younger, more relaxed atmosphere rather than the traditional seafood-focused menu.
The consortium also intends to give the venue “a musical touch,” with occasional DJ performances - though they stress it is not meant to become a club. The involvement of Lost Frequencies, who was the first Belgian musician to reach one billion streams on Spotify for a single track, brings significant star power to the project.
A Symbol of Resilience in a Challenging Sector
The takeover represents a notable vote of confidence in the Brussels hospitality market. The involvement of high-profile entrepreneurs from the entertainment world comes at a time when the sector continues to face significant headwinds, as 21News reported in its coverage of the broader challenges facing Brussels restaurants, including parking costs and accessibility concerns raised by Horeca.Brussels.
The consortium targets January 2027 for the reopening. The adjacent Toucan Brasserie remains open as before, continuing its operations alongside the site of the future new restaurant.
What to Watch For
As the project moves forward, several questions remain: What will the new restaurant be called? Who will lead the kitchen? And will the DJ sets feature Lost Frequencies himself or other performers? The success of this venture could influence other celebrities and entrepreneurs considering hospitality investments in Brussels, potentially signaling a new trend of experiential dining concepts in the Belgian capital.
For now, the revival of Le Toucan sur Mer stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of prime Brussels locations - and to the growing convergence of nightlife and dining cultures in one of Europe’s most dynamic cities.