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Happy April Fool’s, Brussels!
Don’t worry, no pranks or misinformation here today (although the weather has been a real joke recently, I must say). And to those celebrating Easter, or just looking forward to having Monday off, enjoy!
Many of you know that I started my entrepreneurial journey earlier this year. I discussed more about it, as well as this newsletter and what I think of events in Brussels, on this podcast. Pietro (the host) and I will be grateful if you give it a listen! 🙂
As for our Thrift shop walk on 9 May, we will start at 14 CEST at heterodoxa_ and finish at 17 CEST at Oxfam Vintage. We will use each stop to talk about slow fashion, how to shop better and the importance of personal style and the messages our clothes carry. Your guide will be Tena (Thinking Threads), a fashion activist, public speaker and comms professional based in Brussels. Registrations will be launched in the next issue!
And last but not least, today’s partner is Intrepid Travel, your agency for organised group trips all around the world. I haven’t personally used them (yet), but I have a friend who has, and she was very happy with them. A click on their ad doesn’t cost you anything, but it directly supports this newsletter. Thank you so much in advance ❤️
In this issue:
💡 New kids on the block: Piro Siro and EU Quarter Homes
🎨 8 craft activities in Brussels
🔍 My recent restaurant and café finds
🗓️ Upcoming events in Brussels (1-14 April)
Adventures led by women, designed to make a difference.
Imagine a vacation that’s not only transformative for you but helps open doors for the local women you meet along the way. That’s what Intrepid’s new Women’s Expeditions in Peru, Cambodia and Bhutan are all about.
Designed specifically for women travellers, these trips offer immersive local experiences that support women-run and owned businesses in each destination. With an expert local leader out front, you could trek the lesser-known Chinchero to Urquillos route in the Peruvian Andes alongside an all-female crew, dive into Cambodia’s street food scene on a women-run tuk tuk tour, or unwind with a traditional herbal hot stone bath at a women-owned farmhouse in Bhutan.
First launched in 2018, Intrepid’s Women’s Expedition range is designed to break down barriers, foster discussion and create meaningful connections for travellers and locals alike.
New kids on the block: Piro Siro and EU Quarter Homes
🌶️ PIRO SIRO: What do you do when you cannot find a chilli oil that would be up to your standards in Brussels? You create your own. Pooja is a spice-loving Nepali entrepreneur on a mission to craft the finest chilli oil in Brussels. This chilli oil is currently homemade by her, and is vegan, gluten-free, and free from nuts and soy. I’ve been absolutely loving Pooja’s social media campaign and bought a jar right when the sales launched last Friday. I sadly have to wait a bit for my delivery, since I’m going out of town, but if you want to get your hands on this spicy treasure, the first stock is limited - shop here.
🏠 EU QUARTER HOMES: If you’re a foreigner reading this, you know how hard it can be to find a good place to live in Brussels. Miguel thought the same. When he moved here, he would spend a lot of time scanning all the different Facebook groups, only worried if he was gonna get scammed. And he hasn’t found it any better recently. This is why Miguel decided to build his own platform - EU Quarter Homes, a platform focused specifically on fixed-term stays in the EU quarter, where users can connect through LinkedIn-verified profiles. According to Miguel, it’s still a work in progress, so don’t hesitate to give him feedback!
Both pictures were kindly provided by them :)
8 craft activities in Brussels
As mentioned at the beginning of this newsletter, the weather has just been insane lately. Remember last Thursday? Rain, sun, hailstone, sun, snow? 😅 So, since it doesn’t look like we’re going to hang out fully outside anytime soon, let’s turn our attention indoors.
According to the survey I ran a few weeks ago, a lot of you would be interested in craft workshops. And I’m happy to say that I already have an eye on someone 👀 (they may even be mentioned below…). But before we do that, you know that I don’t want to keep you from trying things on your own, right? I did some digging, and here’s a list of 8 craft-related activities you can do in Brussels.
La Vie est Belle - I met Belle at a breakfast event for female entrepreneurs. When she said she was making paper flowers, I was immediately intrigued. Not only can you buy these flowers from Belle, but you can also learn how to make them in her workshops.
Wecandoo - When I checked this website on Saturday, it listed 373 different workshop options in Brussels! Activities range from pottery, metal and wood through leather and textiles to plants, paper and jewellery.
Brussels Sunday Craft Club - Meeting at MIR Concept Coffee Store on certain Sundays, you may expect to indulge in clay creations, painting mugs or glass, or making bracelets.
Arts & Crafts at Malina More Studio - Creating a Monstera leaf out of clay sounds pretty cool, I admit. But if you’re more into painting or even knitting and embroidery, then this studio has these opportunities for you, too.
Paintly - What happens when you drink and paint at the same time? I wouldn’t know, but Paintly invites your friends to have fun while doing exactly this. However, they also organise events around bear sculptures and air-dry clay.
Neon Brush - Another painting while socialising activity, but this time, in the dark! And, you can guess what kind of dark - under neon lights.
Jewellery making workshops of Tulipane Design - If you need new bracelets or earrings, and are open to materials such as fishing wire, glass, beads or chains, these workshops might be just for you.
Sample Slow Jewelry - If you want to go a little bit fancy, this atelier offers you to make silver and gold rings and earrings.
My recent restaurant and café finds
9 new recommendations coming your way in 3…2…1!
🍴 Pera (Maelbeek) - both a café and a restaurant, with Turkish breakfast and lunch options. Small, but cute, and I really enjoyed my lunch while drinking none other than Ayran.
🍴 Ratz Food Market (Saint-Boniface) - overlook the 3.4 rating on Google Maps, and give this place a shot. I actually really loved the vibe and the different thematic parts of the space, my Middle-Eastern plate was divine, and prices weren’t as insane as you may expect.
🍴 Rangla Punjab (Saint-Josse) - if you like Indian food like me, you’ve probably noticed how hard it is to find a good restaurant in Brussels. And I think I’ve finally found one. The portions are gigantic, and the taste won’t disappoint.
🍴 Viet Nam (Montgomery) - a brother (sister?) to Hanoi Station, one of my favourite restaurants in Brussels, this particular restaurant specialises in a shared dish experience and plates with add-ons, so it’s a little on a pricier level than the Station. The interior is beautiful, the staff lovely, and my five-spice beef was amazing, not chewy at all!
🍴 Brol (Ribaucourt) - this is such a hidden gem for people who tend to stick to the right side of the Brussels canal. Super cute interior, great vibes, lovely staff and a Millennial playlist. Rich choice of drinks, brunch opportunities, and a separate counter with baked pastries, including pistachio croissants.
☕ Muski Comics Café (Place Jourdan) - this must be one of the most original cafés in Brussels. As the name suggests, upon entering, you get immersed in a comic world. Yes, Tintin and The Smurfs are included. And on top of that, they also have a coworking space that you can use free of charge.
☕ The Coffee (Louise) - so I’m actually still torn on what I think about this place😅. I like the vibes, it’s in a great location, and you can actually really customise your order by tapping on their screens. But I had a small matcha latte for 6.7 EUR, which I think is just way too much 🙈 And if you’re thinking “But Andrea, why would you get a matcha at a place that’s literally called THE Coffee?!”, you’re probably right, and I should give it another shot with a coffee drink!
☕ Café Costermans (Sablon) - I can’t wait to visit this place again during nice weather, because the terrace is absolutely stunning and hidden in a courtyard. The interior is really nice as well, though. I’ve only come for drinks, but you can also get your brunch there.
Upcoming events
📅 1 April: Laughing So We Don’t Scream All-Female Comedy Night @The Nine (link)
📅 1 April-16 August: Collection meets Spanish Artists @Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium (link)
📅 1 April-20 September: Designing Childhood. A History of Design for Children @Design Museum Brussels (link)
📅 3 April: Two New Kiosks Opening @Wolf (link)
📅 3-4 April: Belgian Jazz Festival @Centre Culturel et Sportif Tour à Plomb (link)
📅 3-6 April: BRDCST 2026 @Ancienne Belgique (link)
📅 3-18 April: Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) @Palais 10 (link)
📅 4 April: Tribute to Hans Zimmer by La Chapelle Sauvage @Museum of Musical Instruments (link)
📅 5 April: Hangar x ListenFestival - Marcel Dettmann @The Tunnels (link)
📅 7 April: Movie Screening & Discussion: ‘Duty of Care: The Climate Trials’ @Plein Publiek (link)
📅 9 April: “Art Nouveau Spirits” - Cocktail Workshop Inspired by Victor Horta @The Poet (link)
📅 10 April: The Nine’s Annual Egg Hunt @The Nine (link)
📅 10-12 April: Grande Vente de Plantes @Halles Saint-Géry (link)
📅 11-12 April: Golden Grams Vintage Kilo Sale @Wolf (link)
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