Brussels has recently gained a new culinary hotspot: AUM, a vibrant meeting place on the ground floor of the Quatre Bras Tower in Kraainem. The founders are Lucka Wahba, former manager at AB InBev and co-founder of UNAH Mind Body Soul, and Maxime Gillet, a passionate hospitality entrepreneur and co-founder of the Japanese-Peruvian restaurant SANZARU in Woluwe. The two close friends have conjured up what they call a High Energy Fine Dining concept: at AUM, you savour the bold and spicy flavours of Indian cuisine against a backdrop of dynamic Eastern vibes. The venue combines restaurant, bar and lounge in one, and from Thursday to Saturday it transforms late at night into a sultry nightclub where DJs send hypnotic Indian beats across the dance floor. We spoke with both founders about Brussels’ newest crowd favourite and about the menu, which perfectly captures the unique style and atmosphere of the place.
Maxime: “AUM is the most important mantra and the holiest symbol in Hinduism. It represents the sound of the universe and the three main gods of the religion: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer. The concept beautifully symbolises what our restaurant stands for we want to create a kind of magical world with its own customs, rituals and dress code. That vibrant energy is at least as important to us as the food itself. AUM is a place where you can leave all your worries behind and fully immerse yourself in the moment. Music plays a key role in that. Our playlists have even been studied by musicologists to create an authentic AUM vibe.”
Lucka: “AUM combines a fine dining restaurant and a food-sharing lounge, separated by a central bar that sets the tone for the atmosphere we want to create. Both zones share a similar energetic musical vibe but offer completely different experiences. In the fine dining area, guests can enjoy à la carte innovative Indian-inspired gastronomy. In the lounge, the mood is more relaxed and laid-back you share smaller dishes with your company at a low or high table.”
Maxime: “Exactly. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can really spend your entire evening here. As the night progresses, we gradually turn up the energy level. The absolute highlight is the AUM Bonfire, inspired by a ritual from Indian culture: we invite DJs for a campfire moment and transform our venue into a sultry dance space, with a focus on ethnic, oriental and minimalist sounds.”
Lucka: “Yes, our interior was designed by WeWantMore. Months of hard work went into making it truly special. From the scenography to the materials, the furniture and the decoration — everything was carefully conceptualised, designed and custom-made to create a unique atmosphere. The interior exudes a touch of glamour, yet it remains closely connected to the oriental influence that defines the entire concept.”
Maxime: “That’s right. The menus are an essential element of our story. Tactility is very important to us. The different fabrics, textures and materials in each area are designed to stimulate the senses in their own way. Our menu follows that same principle. You printed them for us on a chic velvet material — you almost need to hold them with velvet gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints. It’s something quite special. Even reading the menu becomes a small sensory experience.”
Laat hier je gegevens achter. Doorgaans beantwoorden wij je vraag binnen 24 uur.
Na je aanvraag nemen wij contact op om je aanvraag te bespreken.
