The central area of Schaerbeek around Chaussée de Haecht isn’t currently known as Little Istanbul, but I’m hoping the moniker will catch on. Shamefully overlooked by many, this part of Schaerbeek is joyously filled with Turkish shops, teahouses, cafés, restaurants and pizzerias.
Of all the pizzerias on the street, Lale, a relative newcomer, is undoubtedly my favorite. The menu boasts a variety of vegetarian and meat-filled Pide, a wood-oven baked Turkish take on pizza, filled with such goodies as spinach, eggs or aubergines. The gargantuan Pides come with a mixed salad, yoghurt dip, spicy salsa and a basket of freshly-baked bread. In short, prepare yourself for an Anatolian feast. They also have an excellent lentil soup and a selection of Turkish pastries with tea, if you can make room.
