Brussels is full of small neighbourhood gems, the kind of places where the welcome is genuine, the flavours are generous and you instantly feel at home. Whether it is a comforting bowl of pasta, a perfectly seasoned curry or a plate that transports you to Greece or the Mediterranean, these are the restaurants we return to again and again, local, authentic and full of charm.
Philema stole my heart, with its perfect Cretan cuisine, a cozy setting and the nicest staff in the world.
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There are different cuisines and styles but all are amazing. I will be adding to this list on a regular basis, because if you don’t know it already Belgium has some of the best restaurants in the world and I’m a sucker for good food.
🍽️ List of local favourites & hidden gem restaurants in and around Brussels that we have enjoyed:
- Le Fringant, Ixelles
- Varinder, La Hulpe
- Lune Siamoise, Ixelles
- Jardin des Olives, Brussels center
- Philema, Ixelles
- Le Coq en Pâtes, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
Le Fringant
Lunch at Le Fringant is exactly the kind of leisurely, food-centred moment that makes meeting friends so special. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, the setting beautiful without feeling formal and the service genuinely attentive from start to finish.
Chef Johan Ducroquet focuses on authentic, flavoursome bistro cooking, with a menu that changes according to fresh, seasonal produce, keeping every visit interesting and rooted in what is best right now. The lunch offering includes a choice of three starters, three mains and three desserts, allowing you to tailor your meal, priced at 28 euros for two courses or 34 euros with dessert. It strikes a wonderful balance between quality, value and conviviality, the sort of place where conversation flows easily, plates are polished clean and nobody is in a hurry to leave.
Chau. de Waterloo 578, 1050 Ixelles
Food with Varinder
Tucked away in La Hulpe, Food with Varinder is exactly the kind of restaurant we love to discover, independent, family run, generous in spirit, and seriously good at feeding people.
Run by an Indian and Iranian couple from the UK, Varinder brings together culinary influences from India, the Middle East, and the vibrant London food scene. The result is a vegetarian kitchen that feels colourful and inviting, full of spice, warmth, and comforting dishes that keep you curious for what comes next.
Dinner is served as a set menu, and it is an experience in itself. One plate follows another, a colourful procession of flavours and textures that keeps building until you suddenly realise you are wonderfully, gloriously full. Portions are huge, designed for proper enjoyment rather than polite tasting, and everything is meant to be shared, lingered over, and talked about.
We loved the generosity of the place, not just in the food but in the philosophy too. Water is served freely, as it should be really, and the atmosphere feels relaxed and welcoming, the kind of room where you settle in quickly and start planning a return visit before dessert has even arrived.
Food by Varinder is not trying to be flashy, it does not need to be. It wins you over with flavour, warmth, and value, and with cooking that proves just how exciting vegetarian food can be when it is done with confidence and heart.
If you are looking for somewhere different, comforting, and full of personality, Varinder deserves a place on your list. It is the sort of restaurant you leave happy, well fed, and already telling friends about before you have even reached the car.
Price: €55 per person
Chau. de Bruxelles 4, 1310 La Hulpe
Lune Siamoise
I went to Lune Siamoise in Ixelles with my besties, and the whole evening felt like a little celebration. We began with the Siamese Moon starter selection — a lovely assortment to share, full of bright herbs, crisp textures and those layered Southeast Asian flavours that keep you reaching for just one more bite. One of the dishes that followed was spicy, truly spicy, but we were proud to say we handled it (and actually loved the slow, warm glow it left). The atmosphere is soft and welcoming, the kind of place where time gently stretches. And what made the night feel especially personal was when the chef — a warm and gracious woman — came over after our meal to chat. It’s not every day you feel such genuine care behind the food.
Jardin des Olives
Last night we discovered a little gem right in the centre of Brussels called Jardin des Olives and it was one of those evenings where everything just felt right. The place is small and cozy, with soft lighting, and lovely discreet décor. The owners are absolutely charming, warm, welcoming, and clearly passionate about what they do.
We started with a ceviche that was bright and fresh, and a pork belly confit so tender it practically melted. Then came the mains: fresh tagliolini with pistachio pesto, burrata, and a crumble of guanciale, a perfect mix of creamy, crunchy, and nutty; and for me, a gorgeous slow-cooked lamb fillet with eggplant parmigiana.
We shared a bottle of Barrique Primitivo, a generous red with cherry notes that went beautifully with everything.
Dessert was impossible to resist — we shared a fig millefeuille and a hazelnut praline tartlet, both heavenly and the perfect finish to a lovely meal.
It’s the kind of place you immediately want to tell friends about; it’s intimate, delicious, and full of heart. We’ll definitely be going back.
Average price: around €50–60 per person, including wine.
Rue du Marché au Charbon 100, 1000 Bruxelles
Philema
If you’re looking for a restaurant in Brussels that combines authenticity with a touch of elegance, Philema in Ixelles is a gem.
This Greek restaurant focuses on Cretan cuisine, generous hospitality, and warm, welcoming atmosphere.
The menu is rooted in the flavors of Greece; think slow-cooked lamb that falls off the bone, grilled octopus with just the right smoky touch, and creamy fava from Santorini, and cheese cake with beetroot.
Ingredients are carefully sourced, many of them directly from Crete, which gives the dishes an honesty and depth of flavor.
What makes Philema stand out is its balance: it feels refined without being pretentious, the type of place where sharing plates with friends comes naturally. The room is cozy and inviting, service is super friendly and professional.
Price-wise, Philema sits in the mid-to-upper range: you can expect to pay around €40–60 per person for a full dinner with drinks. It’s not budget dining, but the quality of ingredients and the generosity of portions make it excellent value.
In short: if you love Mediterranean flavors and want a restaurant that’s elegant yet relaxed, Philema is one of Brussels’ most rewarding dining experiences — and a reminder that not all great restaurants wear Michelin stars.
Chau. de Waterloo 437, 1050 Ixelles
Le coq en Pâte
I don’t often venture all the way to Woluwe-Saint-Lambert but I ending up going to the Coq en Pâte with a dear friend of mine who lives in that area.
Although from its name you would never guess, Coq en Pâte is an Italian restaurant. You won’t find any pizza on the menu but a lovely variety of Italian dishes such as vitello tonnato, artichokes, arancini, polpette and delicious fish, pasta or meat as main courses.
A 3-course lunch is available for €25, Tuesday through Saturday.
Le coq en pâte, Tomberg 259, 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
