Renata Riva

Brussels

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Spotter since 2024

My spots (26)

Les Dodi – Ice cream like in Italy

It's a real Italian ice cream, there's not much more to say. Good ingredients, perfect texture, Italian flavour, everything homemade.

Snacks

Renata

Riva

Sep 16, 2024

Chou Sando – Sandwiches Japanese style

Sando is a nice nickname Japanese use for sandwiches. I love it! Sandwiches have a sauce more or less spicy and are filled with veggies and/or meat or tofu.

Restaurants

Snacks

Renata

Riva

Sep 16, 2024

Elevator to the Sky – Brussels panorama

From this Brussels spot in Marolles you can catch the "elevator" to go from "uptown" to "downtown"! And when you reach the top... believe me: THE VIEW!

Art & culture

Renata

Riva

Oct 1, 2024

Cphagen – Nordic happiness

"Cphagen" is a little Nordic corner in Ixelles, in Brussels. It's a neat, welcoming shop with stylish products at affordable prices...

Shopping

Renata

Riva

Sep 16, 2024

La Cambre Abbey – Abbey, park and arts in the city

"La Cambre Abbey" is an abbey tucked away in a corner of a small square in Brussels. I'm sure most visitors never notice it. It's a precious gem.

Relaxing

Renata

Riva

Sep 16, 2024

Zinneke – The other statue

The "Zinneke" in Brussels is a statue of a dog that, to me, is an accurate symbol of my city with so many contrasts, but that likes to laugh about them...

Art & culture

Renata

Riva

Sep 16, 2024

Le Corbeau – Fun dancing on tables

There's nothing in Brussels like "Le Corbeau". It's a brasserie, a local restaurant/bar, but at night it becomes the opposite of Cinderella's fairytale...

Bars

Music

Renata

Riva

Sep 16, 2024

Parc Viaduc – Brussels and its hidden parks

"Parc Viaduc" Brussels is a secret park that I discovered which surprisingly lives up to its secrecy - quietness guaranteed...

Relaxing

Renata

Riva

Aug 19, 2024

About me

About me:
I was born and raised in Torino, in the North of Italy. Studying engineering allowed me to live in many different countries. When I came to the point where I needed to look for a job I decided I wanted to have another experience abroad. In 2003 the job offer came from Brussels, for a big multinational company. I wasn’t that excited, didn’t know Brussels very well, and I always thought it was a grey and boring city. But I moved anyway and less than 6 months later this city had already changed my opinion and I have now declared it my hometown. I’ve even bought an apartment here now!

My biggest passion is to travel, I want to discover the whole world, to understand cultures, food, people, music. But I always happily return home to brussels, ready to discover what has changed while I was away.

Why Brussels?
I am a real city girl, I love being close to the “happenings” in town, to be able to walk or bike anywhere, to get anywhere in less than 30 minutes. I am hardly ever home, I take any excuse to be out, to explore new places, to go to concerts, exhibitions, theaters, bars, anything. And Brussels is just perfect for this, not too big, not too small, and full of things happening!