Our Story
The building that now houses Belga in Debrecen has always welcomed guests. In the late 1800s it operated as an inn, with rooms on the upper floor. When the Posta Restaurant on Széchenyi Street was full and could not take more guests, visitors were directed to the inn on Piac Street.
In the early 1900s, the writer Gyula Krúdy rented an office upstairs while publishing for the newspaper Debreceni Ellenőr. From the mid-1930s, Sándor Pál took over the operation of the building; he signed a contract with Dreher—Hungary’s first brewery—and renamed the venue Pál Söröző. The garden terrace was already hugely popular at the time, as were the excellent dishes, for which Mrs. Pál, head of the kitchen, received well-deserved recognition. On the cellar level, wine still played the leading role, handled with expertise by the cellar master and his assistant.
Guests of Pál Söröző included Debrecen citizens, civil servants, army officers, and teachers—making it a truly reputable establishment. After nationalization, operating rights were transferred to the Hajdú-Bihar County Catering Company, and the former Pál Söröző continued under the name Szabadság Restaurant.
Each day, meals were prepared for 600–800 people in a set-menu system; the canteen operated upstairs, while à la carte dining was also available on the ground floor. It was a popular, well-regarded restaurant—alongside Arany Bika and Hungária—one of the three most renowned downtown venues.
Live music entertained guests as well: a Gypsy band played on the ground floor, while dance music was featured upstairs. Fridays and Saturdays were usually sold out, and on Sunday mornings “Sunday beer music” was played, during which guests could enjoy pogácsa or lángos with their beer at a discount—or sometimes even free of charge. At that time, many coach tour groups arrived in Debrecen, and they often chose Szabadság Restaurant as their lunch venue.
After that, the building changed operators several times within a short period. One tenant renamed it Krúdy Restaurant, but unfortunately it could operate only briefly. By then, the building had fallen into such poor condition that it stood completely empty for around one and a half to two years.
The building was finally transformed into the Belgian Restaurant and Pub on August 21, 2001. The vision—to once again make it a central hub of Debrecen’s gastronomy and social life, just as in earlier times—has been fully realized. Today, it welcomes guests with an exceptionally wide selection of Belgian beers, unique dishes, and a covered garden area open year-round. The lower level consists of several smaller and larger rooms, making it an ideal setting for a friendly beer, an intimate date, or any special occasion. On the upper level, the Belgian Boutique Guesthouse offers 9 distinctive, elegant, and comfortable rooms for visitors.
