Looking for a good meal and a good cause to support? Be sure to check out Groot Eiland. This Brussels organisation is in fact a work experience project for long-term unemployed people. Groot Eiland gives them a chance and offers subsidised jobs and education in the catering industry or the joinery, and offers job coaching.
On weekdays you can go there for a cheap lunch, on Thursday and Friday they also serve dinner. An extra plus: most of their vegetables are organic and local, and come from their own garden. In short: a meal at their restaurant, aptly named Bel Mundo as they want to include everyone, cannot disappoint. Be sure to check out the specials of the day and try their cake.
On Sundays, they used to host Mary Pop-in and its 'magical brunch'. This non-profit organisation offers a delicious vegan buffet based on products that otherwise would have been thrown away. Most food they collect is donated to good causes, but a part is used to seduce our tastebuds to raise awareness for food waste. Highly recommended if you have a heart for food and/or people. The weekly collaboration between Bel Mundo and Mary Pop-in has stopped, but rumours say it may resume soon on a less frequent basis.
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With an extravagant vintage decore, the bar takes its name from Queen Fabiola, a Spanish noblewoman who was a very beloved Queen consort of the Belgians.
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With a cozy interior and a pleasant scent of toasted coffee beans, Caleo offers different options for brunch, from viennoiseries to delicious pancakes.
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The name Nenu comes from the Vietnamese concept of “an nhau”, a style of drinking and eating culture, sharing small and large plates with friends & family.
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If you come with a group, I suggest taking the “Moriawase” (Japanese for “assortment”), a larger plate that is easier to share and to try different things.
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As a meat lover, I absolutely enjoyed the dishes based on Iberic pork, including the spare ribs and the Jiang Rou Bao, which literally melted in my mouth.
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Peaking at my neighbors' plates, I decided to try the bass with garlic oil, ginger, and furikake, and the tartare de boeuf with pepper mousse and pickles on the side.
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The stars of the menu are the homemade fluffy pancakes - an explosion of flavors, which come in different flavors, including a tiramisu and matcha version.
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Mexican dishes with popular central American influences. But be ready to share: the options are way too many (and delicious) to just get one dish.
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One bite and you will forget all about your next day’s meetings or other adult-life tasks. Crispy fries and fried chicken come as an extra...
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At Piola the specialty of the house is the “Siciliana o’ Cornicione” pizza, but it is only for the bravest: it comes with a ricotta cheese stuffed crust.
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Kaiju are giant monsters featured in Japanese fantasy and science fiction films and television programs. Once I stepped into this place, it all made sense.
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Jackie is a minimalist café with the smell of toasted coffee and freshly baked pastry (including a carrot cake you will want to steal the recipe for).
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292 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
✓ 292 Insider Tips from our local Spotters