Resort experience at Pairi Daiza

What’s to see/read in this blog?

Welcome to the captivating world of Pairi Daiza, a truly unique destination that seamlessly marries the wonders of the animal kingdom with the pleasures of fine dining. Nestled amidst the lush landscapes of Belgium, Pairi Daiza is not just your average zoo; it’s a breathtaking resort that promises an unforgettable experience for both animal enthusiasts and food connoisseurs alike. In this blog, we will embark on a culinary journey, exploring the delectable offerings of Pairi Daiza’s breakfast spread and the exquisite dining experiences that await within the zoo’s enchanting confines. Get ready to savor not only the flavors of gourmet cuisine but also the sights and sounds of an incredible array of wildlife, making Pairi Daiza a one-of-a-kind destination for both the palate and the soul.

What is Pairi Daiza?

For those who may not be familiar with Pairi Daiza, let’s begin with an introduction to this hidden gem. Nestled in the picturesque heart of Belgium, Pairi Daiza is not your typical zoo. In fact, it’s more accurately described as a “zooasis” – a sanctuary where the boundaries between the human world and the animal kingdom blur into a harmonious coexistence.

Spanning over 140 acres of lush greenery, Pairi Daiza is a haven for both wildlife and visitors. Its name, which means “enclosed garden” in ancient Persian, hints at the paradise-like experience that awaits. What sets Pairi Daiza apart from other zoos is its commitment to creating authentic, immersive habitats for its resident animals. You won’t find barren enclosures here; instead, you’ll witness animals thriving in environments that closely resemble their natural homes.

As you stroll through this mesmerizing botanical garden, you’ll encounter awe-inspiring creatures from around the globe, from majestic elephants and playful pandas to colorful tropical birds and graceful big cats. The zoo’s dedication to conservation and animal welfare is evident in every detail, making it a place of wonder and education for visitors of all ages.

But Pairi Daiza is not just about observing wildlife from a distance. It’s about becoming a part of their world, if only for a fleeting moment. This extraordinary intimacy with nature sets the stage for an equally exceptional culinary experience, where the boundaries between fine dining and the wild merge seamlessly. Now, let’s delve into the delightful culinary offerings that await you at this enchanting destination.

Small peak of the room

In Pairi Daiza, they have several rooms with different animals. While browsing during the reservation process, we noticed they had Tigers, Bears, Wolves, Penguins, Walruses, and Polar Bears (I hope I’ve listed them all; it seems like they might be adding another hotel where you can see farm animals as well). In the end, we chose the Polar Bear room! They are incredibly cute, fluffy, and white. It will be a lot of fun to watch the bears swim past our window.

Also, I forgot to mention, we can also choose between a face-to-face encounter with the animal or a horizon view (we chose face-to-face). From what I understand, if you choose a water animal, you’ll have a window with a view into the water for a face-to-face experience, and if you prefer a horizon view, it will be above the water. For the land animals, I observed while walking around the zoo that there are ground floor windows for a face-to-face view, and you can also go to the 2nd floor if you prefer to observe them from above.

We were offered a trial session for their new spa facility. If you book a room at the resort, you also have access to the spa, which includes a sauna, ice bath, steam room, and more. We tried it out, and it was quite relaxing, at least for me. However, my partner can’t stand the heat in the sauna, so I think he preferred the steam room or none of them at all (he’s not a big fan of saunas). Personally, I’m not a fan of saunas either, but I do enjoy the steam room and the ice bath, as they really help relax your nerves after walking around the zoo all day. Considering the cost and our preferences, we’d choose a massage if available; otherwise, we’d skip the extra amenities. If you enjoy these, the spa is beautiful, clean and the staff is friendly.

Restaurant

When booking a room at Paira Daiza, your package automatically includes dinner. You can choose between a buffet, a 4-course meal (which you can upgrade to 6 courses, as we did), or an à la carte option. Each choice is located in a different restaurant within Pairadaiza, each reflecting the theme and charm of the continent it represents. For the 4/6-course option, you’ll dine at the Mokki restaurant in the cold land, where we had the pleasure of staying with the adorable (though not so little) polar bear.

What’s on the menu!

Once you are seated by the waiter or waitress, they will provide you with a drink menu. However, they did not initially give us the menu for the courses. Therefore, we assumed it might be a surprise, similar to a chef’s table experience. As we progressed through almost half of the courses, I kept asking for the names of the dishes and their ingredients. That’s how I compiled the menu below.

Once you take a look at both menus and start thinking about which one to select, you might find yourself wondering, “Okay, which one do I want to choose?” I noticed that some couples opt for the 6-course menu, and it might be for the same reason as us – to fully explore everything Pairi Daiza has to offer. If you decide to upgrade to the 6-course menu, you’ll just need to pay an extra €20 per person.

From my personal perspective, I think the experience is excellent! I believe that with the 4-course menu, you don’t miss out on much since the menu offerings are quite similar. However, it’s worth mentioning that if you prefer not to spend too much time at the table, you might want to skip the 6 courses. We had made a reservation for 19:00 and completed the courses around 22:30, thanks to a request for the bill to speed things up.

Let’s begin with the 6-courses dinner

To start, you’ll be asked to order a drink for both the appetizer, and they will inquire about your drink preferences for the main course. We placed our orders, but it seemed they forgot, so we ended up requesting our drinks throughout the meal. During this time, they will also ask about any food allergies. Since the menu primarily features seafood, I noticed some guests informing the waiter/waitress, and they were provided with an alternative menu.

Before we delve into the food review, I’d like to mention that I heard from the chef, who greets you during the dessert course, asking how everything is. They mentioned that the menu will change periodically. Their plan is to introduce a new menu in November 2023. If you happen to read this review after that period, I hope it still provides you with some insight into the style of food you can expect to experience.

While waiting for our appetizer drinks, they served us a selection of bread: bacon bread, parmesan bread, and raisin bread. I chose the parmesan bread, and it was amazing! My partner went for the bacon one, and it disappeared without me even getting a chance to look at it. It must be a must-try!

In the small bowl, they provided us with butter. Its texture was smooth and creamy, with a delightful hint of saltiness from the Himalayan salt. Both of us agreed that we should keep the bowl within arm’s reach. Just the bread alone deserved a solid 10 out of 10. Now, we’re eagerly anticipating the rest of the courses!

After we had settled in with our drinks and bread, the amuse-bouche arrived. They informed us at the table while serving that it was a ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach, accompanied by a parmesan foam. There was a small bowl next to it containing a potimarron soup. We found ourselves pondering what “potimarron” meant, leading to a debate about whether it was a reference to “potiron,” which is French for pumpkin. Regardless, the ravioli was incredibly delicious and paired perfectly with the foam (I felt like I was in heaven!). As for the soup, it turned out to be pumpkin, confirming our suspicion that “potimarron” was indeed “potiron.” However, after our trip, I did a quick Google search, and to our surprise, the server was correct. We had a good laugh about our debate during the meal.

P.S. The soup was absolutely exquisite!The texture was so soft light. I would love another serving, please, sir!

First Entree: Alaskan king crab, daikon, cucumber, Hendrink’s gin mayonaise with curry crown.

Oh! What a lengthy description for this tiny, beautiful plate. As you can see, the plate is incredibly aesthetically pleasing, and I’m not sure where to begin. I decided to take a bite that combined every element in one mouthful, which I assumed was the chef’s intention. The flavor of the king crab is truly outstanding. I particularly appreciate the way they’ve wrapped daikon around the crab, providing both the freshness of the sea and a delightful crunch in each bite. The mayonnaise adds a nice touch, and the cucumber lends another layer of freshness. Personally, I loved the curry crown on top; it added a subtle kick to the dish. However, my partner didn’t quite enjoy the curry crown, perhaps finding its taste a bit complex for their liking. I would describe this plate as an open canvas, allowing for various interpretations and preferences.

Second entree: Sarda Pastina with squid ink, bouchot mussels and chorizo foam.

This plate is a “wow” for me. I’ve never had Sarda Pastina before, and since I love squid ink, I have no criticisms for this dish. Every element is precisely where it should be, and they complement each other perfectly. The only thing both of us agreed on is that the squid portion is quite small, and we wished there were two more pieces because it’s so delicious! My partner mentioned that the mussels could have been a better variety that Belgians prefer, but I personally found them acceptable, although they were on the smaller side. We kept critiquing the portion size, but we often forgot that it’s a tasting menu, and many more dishes are yet to come. I think it’s safe to say that it’s so delicious that we wanted more!

Last entree: Carpaccio secreto 07; Breton lobster, avocado guagamole with wasabi and pickled radish.

They presented to us that the beef is marinated with 7 spices for 7 days. This is one of the best dishes for my partner; I mean, he loves beef. The only part he didn’t like was the wasabi. As for me, I didn’t enjoy the dish as much. I found the beef to be a bit too salty for my taste, but the pickles helped balance it out. The lobster also provided a refreshing contrast and reduced the overall saltiness. I suppose it comes down to personal preference. I tend to prefer my carpaccio raw and fresh rather than marinated or smoked.

Main course: ikejime line – caught sea bass, champagne beurre blanc sauce, black garlic and mashed potatoes robuchon style.

This dish is the best, our favorite! The fish is perfectly cooked, firm yet tender. The sauce complements the fish wonderfully, and when combined with the fish eggs in the sauce, it’s simply amazing! The mashed potatoes are incredibly smooth, and I believe they’ve added cheese to them; they’re quite cheesy. Overall? It’s a “hmmm hmm,” no need for words with this dish! Easily a 5 out of 5.

First dessert: The hive, honey apricot and salted caramel ice cream.

First of all, we love desserts so much! However, this one is a no-go for us. There’s no taste of honey, which we believe should be the main ingredient (or maybe we’ve watched too much Masterchef xD). In one sentence, the ice cream was the only element that was good, along with the presentation, of course.

Last element of the menu: reimaginated black forest.

When we asked for the bill, it arrived, and I assume it includes charges for the coffee and tea, but we were feeling quite sleepy, so we decided to forgo ordering anything else and headed home. Overall, everything was good, but I must say that the chestnut cake is out of this world, it’s so delicious!

Breakfast

Breakfast is included with the room, and it is served at the Izba restaurant. During the day, they offer a buffet for breakfast. The restaurant is conveniently located not far from the Cold Lands area, making it easy to walk there.

Food line

When you arrive, you’ll need to provide your room number, and then you can choose any available seating. The breakfast is served buffet-style. They have sections for sweets, savory items, fresh daily selections, pastries, and drinks/coffee. (I apologize for not taking many pictures as I was quite hungry, and there were many others waiting in line at the buffet.)

Our plate

For us, there isn’t much to review, as we are more inclined towards a savory breakfast; we rarely opt for sweet breakfast items.

If you’ve read up to this point!

Thank you so much for reading all the way through. I hope this blog has provided you with valuable insights and helped you make decisions for a better journey with your partner or family. In any case, this place is amazing, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy it regardless! 😄 Have a pleasant journey, and consider heading out early to avoid traffic. Staying at the resort is a genuine privilege, I can assure you of that! Wishing you a wonderful time!