Brussels, summer is heeeeeeere!
I am absolutely LOVING this weather. I even went to the Belgian coast on Monday, which is the earliest Iâve ever been to the beach here. A kind reminder: if your employer provides you with eco-chÚques, you can use them to pay for train tickets in Belgium ð
In the last edition, you voted for the best fries in town. Maison Antoine landed in the 1st place, followed by Frit Flagey in the 2nd place, Friterie de la BarriÚre in the 3rd place, and Master Frites in the 4th place. No votes for Fritland or Friterie Tabora! This was fun, so I have another poll waiting for you further below.
Concerning my recent café and restaurant finds, Koukou, which you may already know if you live around Buyl and ULB, opened its new location exactly a week ago, close to Parc du Cinquantenaire. Expect a small but cosy place with a wide choice of drinks, pastries, and occasional DJ sets. Kage is a café Iâve been meaning to try for a while, so I went in on my Sunday stroll in Dansaert. A cool vibe, loads of tea-related drinks, and Japanese sandwiches are on offer there. And last but not least, a new Lebanese restaurant opened recently close to Cirque Royal. La table du cirque is a small restaurant, but with a terrace (!), which offers delicious cold and hot mezze, accompanied by lovely staff.
In this issue:
ð 18 best Italian restaurants in Brussels (according to my Italian friends)
âïž 5 summer activities in Brussels
ðïž Upcoming events in Brussels (28 May-10 June)
Join us for a BXL Picnic!
Join us for the next Living Brussels event!
On 14 June, from 11 to 14 CEST, come to Parc du Cinquantenaire to meet other Living Brussels subscribers, chat, have fun, and be ready for some surprises. More information and the registration link can be found here.
18 best Italian restaurants in Brussels (according to my Italian friends)
The omnipresent nationality in Brussels, 50% of office staff in the Brussels bubble, and definitely part of everyoneâs friend group - the Italians. Their Republic Day is coming up on 2 June, so I thought - who better to ask for the best pizza and pasta places in Brussels? Shout out to my official jury: Domenico, Valentina, Pietro, Martina, Andrew and Camilla.
The best pizza ð
Apparently, every Italian has a favourite pizza spot in Brussels, because there are so many top-quality options.
La Piola (Saint-Josse) - a clear winner by my Italian jury. So much so that they didnât even elaborate on why! ð€£ But also one of my absolute favourites in this city.
Basils (CongrÚs) - also mentioned a couple of times, and my personal favourite, especially their bianca, vegetarian options.
NaâPizza (Cinquantenaire) - simply the best in terms of products, atmosphere and value for money, according to Pietro
Educazione Napoletana (Châtelain) - a little slice of home away from home for Camilla. The dough is proofed to perfection (crunchy on the outside and pillowy on the inside), and they donât skimp on the toppings. They also have gluten-free dough options! The menu shows the range of Neapolitan ingenuity - from the tried and true Marinara and Diavola (they use the right salame piccante), the Maradona to the Luana dâAnnolfo (square shaped with stuffed crust) and the Lionello (ever thought you put tarallo crumbles on a pizza?).
Al Bacino (Louise) - in Andrewâs words, a legend of the Brussels food scene, and hard to fault
La Bottega della Pizza (Sablon) - they use a flour mix that Andrew enjoys; for him, the flavour of the base is absolutely fundamental
Honourable mentions: Bella Pizza & Alimentari, Mirante, MiTo, NONA.
The best pasta ð
I was also told that a âpasta placeâ as a concept, so a restaurant predominantly known for pasta, is strange for Italians; that they feel like they can make a better dish at home or that itâs grandmaâs place ð
Le Nouvel Artiste Da Enzo (Plux) - Enzo used to be Prodiâs and Berlusconiâs personal chef; a personal pick by Pietro
Eccetera (Place Jourdan) - for every serving (primo, secondo, dessert), but also for the location, for the service and the small details (they always offer a free bruschetta while you wait for your order). Martina brought her Italian nonna, aka food police, here, and she approved! Also, one of their dishes with sausage was so good that even a vegetarian ate it.
Barracuda (Flagey) - an amazing cacio e pepe + best artichokes in ages, also approved by Martinaâs Roman father. Bonus points for the interior design (itâs a bit kitsch, but she loved it!)
NORMA - Trattoria (Dansaert) - youâve got a Sicilian and a Neapolitan chef power duo churning out magic from the kitchen. Respecting the earth and tradition in every bite, without breaking the bank. Go for the pasta (the scialatielli and cacio e pepe are Camillaâs faves), stay for the vibes. Also, treat yourself to the divine tiramisu.
Per Bacco (CongrÚs) - also has pizza, but the pasta stands on its own: generous portions and great flavour, according to Andrew.
La Mamma (Saint-Josse) - for Andrew, the menu is a tour of Italy through pasta, and they pull it off well.
Honourable mentions: Osteria Bolognese, Marcella
Where's the best pizza in Brussels?
5 summer activities in Brussels
Itâs easy to dismiss Brussels on hot days. For many, itâs limited to picnics in the park, drinks on a terrace or leaving the city for the coast (not that any of these are bad, obviously!). So, if youâre looking for new, seasonal ideas on what to do in the upcoming months, Iâve got you covered.
Bozar rooftop: One of the iconic, seasonal rooftop bars is opening its doors on 4 June and will keep them open all the way until 20 September. Accessible from Wednesday to Sunday, except for the first week and the Belgian National Day, this bar invites you to music, shows and drinks. I am telling myself every year that I will go and never make it. So this time, I should really, really go.
La Terrasse O2 x Yoga Room: The well-known, boho-chic terrace joins its forces again with one of my favourite studios, Yoga Room. Every Sunday morning, the terrace is ready for you and your friends to immerse in a different kind of yoga session with a beautiful backdrop and good summer vibes.
Sunset pilates on the roof: A collaboration between probably the best rooftop bar for its views, Rooftop 58, and a pilates Align Studio, organises sunset classes until September. Who doesnât love a sunset?! (except for team sunrise, I suppose).
Waterbus: If youâre tired of public transport or cycling, then consider taking a waterbus on the Zenne canal between Brussels and Vilvoorde. It runs every weekday until 31 October and every weekend from 1 July to 15 August.
Paddleboard on the Dyle: OK, OK, I am cheating a little bit here, because this activity isnât in Brussels, but in one of my favourite Belgian towns, Mechelen (which is just 20 minutes away, hey). Sessions run from 11 to 18 CEST, but are by appointment only.
Upcoming events
ð€ = networking/meeting new people; ðš = crafts and workshops; ð = fashion; ðž= music; ð = parties and festivals; ð = theatre, musicals and performing arts; ð¶ = walking and hiking; ð = sport; ð¥ = film festivals and screenings; ðïž = fitness; ð€ = talks; ð = food; ðŒïž = exhibitions; ð = comedy; ð = shopping and markets; ð® = games and quizzes
ð€ 28 May: Women Leading Change: The Carter Center @The Nine (link)
ð 28 May: The XXL Burger Challenge @Wolf (link)
ð€ 29 May: Comms Collective Bingo Night @The Network (link)
ð 29 May: Booma Club x Chez Ginette: Post-Motherâs Day Takeover @Ginette Club (link)
ð 30 May: Zinneke Parade @city centre (link)
ð€ 30 May: Womenâs Health Summit 2026: The Brain-Body Connection @The Nine (link)
ð 31 May: Family day / Childrenâs day @MIR Concept Coffee Store (link)
ð 31 May: Brussels 20km Afterparty @Café Oumpa (link)
ð® 31 May: Disney Quiz @Wolf (link)
ð€ 2 June: The POP Collective x Fourtold - Too Serious for Our Own Good? @Fourtold Office (link)
ð¥ 2 June: Movie Screening & Discussion: Eat More Trees @Plein Publiek (link)
ð 3 June: Spring Rolls Workshop by Foocha @Wolf (link)
ðš 3 June: Sip & Paint @FOX Food Market (link)
ðš 3 June: Wine WIP Wednesday @Pompette (link)
ð 3 June: Equality Fundraiser - ILGA-Europe 30th anniversary edition @La Bellone (link)
ðš 4 June: SEEN. Female Leadership Lunch with Expert Workshops @Kitchen 151 (link)
ð 6 June: Roots & Weaves: Philippine Heritage Textiles Fashion Show @La Bellone (link)
ð 7 June: Brussels Makers Market @Ratz (link)
ð 9-13 June: The Festival of the New European Bauhaus @Art & History Museum (link)
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