This post is also available in: 
English 
Français 
Deutsch
Brussels, the vibrant capital of Belgium, attracts food lovers with its rich and diverse culinary scene. Forget the good old Belgian fries and embark with us on a foodie weekend through this captivating city.
Join us on a culinary adventure as we discover the best spots in Brussels for a memorable foodie weekend.
Coffee Shops & Brunch Extravaganza
Start your day on a delightful note by indulging in a mouthwatering brunch experience. Woodpecker, known for its stylish decor and scrumptious brunch options, offers a menu filled with both sweet and savoury delicacies. Treat yourself to wonderful pancakes or enjoy their gourmet eggs benedict. A haven for brunch enthusiasts. They have several locations in Brussels, so just pick your favourite!
In the same vibe, step into Frank, a café-bar that takes inspiration from an Australian adventure, where breakfast/brunch is celebrated with a capital B. This vibrant spot serves speciality coffee and breakfast crafted from the finest local ingredients. With two levels of cosy seating, it offers the perfect setting to start your day with an indulgent and authentic brunch experience. The place is also home to Francine, a sustainable vegetable-focused gastronomy concept that specialises in creating innovative dishes that highlight the natural aromas of seasonal vegetables, from Thursday to Saturday from 6 pm to 11.30 pm.
Bouche is a must-visit spot for coffee lovers in Brussels. With a focus on speciality coffee, it takes great care in delivering a memorable coffee experience. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by a beautiful interior that sets the stage for a cosy and inviting atmosphere. The coffee served at Bouche is nothing short of exquisite, with each cup meticulously crafted to perfection. Try their cinnamon buns – trust us, you won’t regret it!
Speaking of cinnamon rolls, if you’re hooked like us, be sure to check out Have a Roll. They’re vegan, and with so many flavours to choose from, making it hard to decide.
Kafei (coffee in Chinese pinyin), is a Brussels-based business with three coffee shops and one workshop bakery. Locals and tourists alike flock to Kafei for its speciality coffee, homemade drinks, fluffy pancakes and eggs benedict egg.
Another favourite is MOK, a roaster dedicated to purity, integrity, and quality. They are passionate about working highly seasonally and ensuring full traceability in their coffee supply chain. The roaster also has two cafés in the family, one in Brussels and the other in Leuven, which offer their customers a complete coffee experience, from bean to cup, thanks to a range of exquisite variations.
Located just a few minutes walk from the Apple Store in Brussels, Buddy Buddy is the first nut butter café that opened in Europe. Throughout the day, you’ll be able to indulge in nut-based treats and signature drinks, all topped off with top-quality organic nut butters made in their Brussels workshop. Moreover, they have recently expanded and opened a new store in Paris, France.
Our final destination for coffee lovers takes us to Wide Awake. Yet another brilliant coffee roaster that curates and roasts some of the finest coffees in Brussels. Their brew bar & shop, located in the Dansaert district, is a must-visit destination for coffee aficionados. With expert baristas and roasters on hand, you can taste a superb brew of your choice and explore their range of coffees available for purchase.
Italian Delights
Indulge your taste buds in the genuine flavours of Italy at exceptional Italian establishments in Brussels.
Experience the authenticity of Italian cuisine at Nuovo Rosso. The restaurant is a pasta lover’s paradise, offering a wide range of truly delicious pasta dishes directly in the pan at the table. Immerse yourself in the traditional techniques and superior ingredients used to create these culinary masterpieces.
Transporting you to the vibrant streets of Naples, Monella offers a real Italian street food menu with a special twist. Known for its speciality of Bomba Fritta and deep-fried pizzas, creating an absolute flavour explosion that will leave you wanting more. With every bite, you’ll experience the perfect combination of crispy crust, delicious toppings and a burst of savoury goodness.
Nona, known for its Pizzas and Pasta, is committed to serving proper Italian food made with organic Belgian ingredients, emphasizing the importance of quality and seasonality. They source their produce from family-run farms, adhering to sustainable practices and working closely with local suppliers. With Neapolitan-style pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven and pasta dishes made with al dente perfection, their culinary offerings showcase the essence of Italian cuisine.
Sina Pasta Bar stands out for its commitment to using fresh and carefully selected ingredients. They handcraft their pasta daily, ensuring optimal control over quality and minimising food waste. With imported products from Italian producers and locally-sourced meats, eggs and poultry, Sina Pasta Bar offers an original taste experience. Let yourself be tempted by their tasty pasta dishes and embark on a delicious gourmet voyage.
Asian Fusion
Experience the fusion of tastes from the East at remarkable Asian-inspired culinary hotspots in Brussels for your foodie weekend.
Embark on a dining adventure to Vietnam at Knees to Chin, specialising in Vietnamese rice paper rolls. This eatery offers fresh and healthy options with a variety of mouth-watering food combinations. A real must-visit for lovers of Asian cuisine, with vegetarian choices available and three locations in Brussels.
Another local gem is nénu, located in the Louise neighbourhood, a Saigonese eatery that offers a modern twist on traditional Vietnamese food. With a focus on small dishes meant for sharing, the restaurant creates a social and interactive eating experience. You can enjoy tasty Vietnamese delicacies while sipping on a refreshing drink in a laid-back and friendly atmosphere.
Awarded “Asian Restaurant of the Year 2023” by Gault & Millau, Old Boy takes Asian fusion cuisine to new heights. With a reputation for innovative dishes that blend various Asian aromas and techniques, the restaurant offers a dining experience that is both exciting and satisfying. Whether you choose to dine in their stylish restaurant or opt for a quick bite at their takeaway joint, Lil Boy, you can expect a delightful culinary journey that showcases the best of Asian-inspired dishes.
Combining Asian street food with good music, great cocktails, natural wines, and craft beers, Kaiju offers a vibrant and eclectic atmosphere. The menu features a variety of Asian-inspired dishes meant for sharing, allowing you to sample a range of flavours and textures. The establishment’s unique decor adds to the overall experience, making a meal at Kaiju a feast for the senses.
Middle Eastern Pleasures
Brussels also offers a vibrant Middle Eastern food scene, showcasing a rich variety of flavours and dishes.
Kamoun offers an authentic and immersive food-sharing experience. During lunchtime, their speciality is stuffed bread, a tasty and satisfying option for a quick and delicious meal. In the evening, the restaurant presents Levantine cuisine, bringing the vibrant dishes and traditions of the Levant region to your table. On weekends, you can indulge in their marvellous brunch, featuring a variety of mouthwatering dishes.
Semsom, another delicious option, presents wonderful Lebanese recipes with a modern twist. They take pride in their shift towards organic and local products, aiming to offer the best quality to their customers. Semsom brings together the delights of Lebanon and a Western touch, creating a unique fusion of culinary treats.
Step into Le Conteur, a lively and modern restaurant with a vintage design and an open kitchen. This Middle Eastern-inspired eatery offers a gastronomic experience with a menu focused on sharing. From the Chou Grillé Confit to the Chicken Mussakhan and the Octopus Mashawsha, each dish tells a story of flavours and influences from the region. The establishment invites you to gather with loved ones, create joyful memories and savour the delights of Middle Eastern dishes.
Fine dining discoveries
A foodie weekend in Brussels wouldn’t be complete without a fine dining experience. Indeed, the city boasts a thriving gastronomic scene, where top restaurants captivate diners with exquisite food, meticulous craftsmanship and extraordinary eating experiences.
Sanzaru is a gastronomic gem in Brussels, where Chef Nathan Urbanowiez showcases his talent through a Nikkei cuisine that is bursting with aromas, presented on elegantly crafted plates. Here, you can sample a modern fusion of Japanese and Peruvian-inspired cuisine, with breathtaking results. And if you’re looking for an extra treat, don’t miss the Mizaru cocktail bar upstairs, where creative and tempting cocktails await you.
San Sablon offers refined and innovative cuisine centred around bowls and spoons. Led by chef Baptiste Villanneau and his team, each dish showcases a specific ingredient, exploring its various aspects through a skilful blend of techniques and textures. With a commitment to seasonality and creativity, San Sablon delivers generous, passionate and exciting cuisine.
Discover Barge, which this year received one Michelin star and one Michelin green star. Chef Grégoire Gillard’s culinary expertise shines in this sustainable catering establishment. Embracing local ingredients and creative combinations, Barge offers an ever-changing surprise menu influenced by micro-seasons. The carefully curated wine selection enhances the extraordinary dining journey.
Humus x Hortense is a sustainable plant-based fine dining experience. Their botanical gastronomy concept, championed by chef Nicolas Decloedt and sommelier Caroline Baerten, has earned them Michelin Red and Green Stars, as well as recognition from Gault & Millau and the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Exceptional ingredients, ancient conservation techniques and zero-waste cocktails contribute to their outstanding gastronomic experience.
Other worth-visiting experiences
Clair/Obscur located in the Châtelain neighbourhood, is a modern gastropub that combines the charm of traditional English pubs with a diverse menu of homemade, gourmet dishes. The cosy ambience invites guests to enjoy coffee and brunch during the day, while the evening brings a wide selection of craft beers and cocktails. The unique space, housed in a former Alsatian building, offers an eclectic atmosphere with lush greenery and a foosball table.
Tatar offers a unique experience that combines the worlds of catering and mixology. The concept was born out of a passion for bistronomy and a desire to create the first tartar bar in Brussels. Here guests can embark on a culinary journey, exploring tastes from the Mediterranean to the Japanese peninsula, both in their glasses and on their plates.
Verigoud, a Mexican gem in Châtelain, offers homemade corn tortillas, mouthwatering cochinita pibil and impeccable ceviche. With a curated selection of tequila and mezcal, it delivers an authentic culinary experience. The sleek design and attentive service add to its appeal. A must-visit for Mexican cuisine lovers in Brussels.
Looking for exceptional burgers? Rambo is definitely the place to go! They specialise in delicious smash burgers, inspired by American diners. With three locations in Ixelles and Waterloo, it offers flavours of authentic American-style burgers. “No fuss, simple, quality burgers.”
You can’t make a choice or you don’t know what you’re looking for? Wolf Sharing Food Market is there for you! Indeed, it’s a culinary world tour featuring international street food stalls and a microbrewery serving draught beer and wine.
That’s a wrap, you’re all set for your foodie weekend in Brussels. We hope we triggered your curiosity and your appetite!
Keep in mind that these are some of our personal favourites, but Brussels is full of hidden gems to discover or rediscover. Now is your time to book a getaway in the charming capital of Belgium.
Be sure to check out our other best spots in and around Luxembourg.
Header Picture: Frank Brussels