Brussels city guide

The steady sweep of gentrification in Matongé continues with this café/bar behind the Boniface church. Making use of a corner site with a large pavement area, STAM offers ample outdoor seating and a friendly, local vibe.

The concept is akin to a traditional Paris brasserie, stripped of any fussiness and adapted to the Brussels bar style. Like its Parisian counterparts, STAM serves light meals and snacks by day and by evening, for those whose hunger matches their thirst. They have a breakfast deal every morning of coffee, pastry and juice and do a larger brunch on Sundays.

The food isn’t the highlight but this isn’t a restaurant after all. I recommend going for the laidback atmosphere and the friendly mixture of locals and drinkers from further afield. On sunny days, the backyard and huge front terrace are serious assets.