Felix François comes from a family of restaurateurs. This “Jong Keukengeweld” chef, along with his wife Nel Desmet, took over Het Vliegend Tapijt from his parents. Before stepping into the family business in Marke, Felix honed his skills at renowned establishments like ’t Oud Konijntje and La Durée.
Last year, the restaurant underwent a full transformation. The former retro brown café made way for a sleek yet warm interior, where the young couple wins over their guests with flavorful, authentic dishes.
Felix cooks with respect for high-quality ingredients, drawing inspiration from classic Belgian cuisine. The menu features refined combinations such as homemade ricotta with pumpkin and za’atar or frog legs with artichoke and nuts.
During the week, guests can enjoy a 3-course menu (€40) alongside the 4-, 5-, or 6-course menus (€50, €65, and €75). Seasonal, traditional dishes are always given a modern twist. Examples include rabbit with eggplant, broccoletti, and choron sauce or North Sea fish with oyster, Jerusalem artichoke, and sorrel. Ingredients remain the stars of each dish, presented in honest, no-nonsense preparations. Each course comes with a carefully selected wine pairing, often natural wines from small-scale winemakers, personally chosen by hostess Nel.
Felix is also one of the driving forces behind Café Paté, a chefs’ collective—founded with Matthias Speybrouck (Va et Vient)—aiming to bring innovation and fresh energy to the Kortrijk dining scene.
Het Vliegend Tapijt: a perfect blend of tradition and modern culinary creativity.
