Take away: Yoko wok

Yoko Wok is a small thai take away restaurant in Waterloo, close to the international school. You may combine the fillings to your own liking, creating a wok that is just what you yourself want to have. And they are delicious!! And huge, so unless you are hungry like a tiger, you will have a meal for the next day as well. Or you can share your meal!

In general, service is fast, but the place is popular, so you may want to place your order by calling them first, and then just pick it up.

Good Food in Belgium recommends this place for anyone who wants good thai take away and live within a 15min drive from Waterloo!

Restaurant: Basta Cosi

Basta Cosi is an Italian restaurant at Place Chatelain in Ixelles. When weather permits, it provides a terrace where you can sit and enjoy the square, especially on Wednesdays when there is a market. The food is okay and portion sizes are generous. It is nothing to die for, but you will not die from it either. You might die while waiting for it, though, since service is not always the fastest on the planet. However, service was not unfriendly in any way.

Grades given by Good Food in Belgium:
Food: 3
Atmosphere: 3+
Friendliness of staff: 3- (minus for speed)
Would I go there again: yes, if in the area. Would not travel there just to go here.
Would I recommend the place: not really. I would not discourage anyone from going, but I would not jump up and down for anyone to go there. It is ok.
Value for money: a bit pricey for what it's worth.

For more reviews, check TripAdvisor.

Restaurant: Ellis Gourmet Burger

Ellis Gourmet Burger is a small hamburger chain. It is concept by some young enthusiasts: to serve good burgers!

The restaurant at the Dansaert quarters, next to Saint-Catherine, is a modern, lively, and enjoyable place full of life. The burgers are very good, but not heavenly, and your interpretation of raw/medium/well done may differ from theirs. Nice side meals are offered and they are generous enough. Service is a bit "distant"; they are friendly when attending you, but let's say they don't mind leaving you alone either.

Of course, it is a chain, so things may be different in another restaurant of theirs. For better or worse.

Grades given by Good Food in Belgium:
Food: 3+
Atmosphere: 4
Friendliness of staff: 3
Would I go there again: yes
Would I recommend the place: yes, for going out with friends and colleagues. Not for business dinners.
Value for money: yes

Check out the review by TripAdvisor

Restaurant: Eccetera

Eccetera is a nice Italian restaurant hidden away in a backstreet from Place Jourdan. If you don't know about its existence, you will probably not find it by accident (which we, strangely enough, did). But it is a good find! Food is really good, among the best ones in its price category. Service is fast, but not hectic, and very friendly. The atmosphere is nice if you like to have some noise and chatter around you.

Grades given by Good Food in Belgium:
Food: 4+
Atmosphere: 4+
Friendliness of staff: 4+
Would I go there again: yes
Would I recommend the place: yes, for going out with friends and colleagues. Business dinner may be okay if it is not suoposed to be formal or you need to continue business talks.
Value for money: yes

For more reviews, check out TripAdvisor

Restaurant: Cool Bun

Cool Bun has two restaurants, one at Place Stephanie, the other at Schuman. This place is for some serious burgers! Everything is handmade and the beef is flamed grilled, so what you get on your plate is real food done with a good heart for an empty stomach! And make sure your stomach is empty when you get here, because portion sizes are huge. The atmosphere is nice and service is really friendly. It is especially interesting to go to the one at Schumann while serious EU meetings are going on, because you may spot people having a bite while waiting for their cell phones to call them back into the meeting. You are right where things happen! Or at least close...

Grades given by Good Food in Belgium:
Food: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Friendliness of staff: 4
Would I go there again: yes
Would I recommend the place: yes, for going out with friends and colleagues. Maybe not for business dinners, though.
Value for money: yes. It is a bit pricey, but considering that everything is handmade, it is value for money.

For more reviews, check out TripAdvisor

Food Truck: Ty Penty

Ty Penty is a creperie on wheels serving wonderful and authentic crepes at various markets in Brussels. The crepes are as thin as they should be, coming with various fillings. You have both savoury and sweet alternatives. The owners of the food truck are extremely friendly and warm. The atmosphere surrounding the van is comforting, like you would be in a small village market somewhere in France.

Grades given (in the #foodtruck category) by Good Food in Belgium:
Food: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Friendliness of staff: 5
Would I go there again: yes
Would I recommend the place: yes
Value for money: yes

Food Truck: El Taco Mobil

El Taco Mobil is what you already could call a famous food truck in Brussels that serves Mexican street food every Thursday at Parvis de Saint-Gilles (and every second Sunday of the month at Atelier des Tanneurs). In addition to a real fun atmosphere, they serve heavenly tacos with a delicious guacamole, and just perfectly spicy sauces. Both meat and vegetarian versions are available, most made out of organic ingredients. Furthermore, you have an option of beer, Mexican lemonades, and a few other drinks as well. The service attitude is friendly and happy even when the place gets busy. This food truck is really worth a bus/metro ride to even if you don't live in the area. 

If you are a tourist in Brussels and you wish something different than your average restaurant meal, this one is worth a visit. Not only will you have good tacos, you will also be able to explore a part of the town you probably would not otherwise wonder into. There you will discover a multitude of restaurants and bars (for the days the El Taco Mobil is somewhere else). Just take the metro to Hallepoort (Porte de Hal) and walk, or the premetro/tram to Parvis de Saint-Gilles (Sint Gillisvoorplein), and you are there!

Grades given (in the new #foodtruck category) by Good Food in Belgium:

Food: 4+ 

Atmosphere: 4 

Friendliness of staff: 5

Would I go there again: yes

Would I recommend the place: yes.
Value for money: yes

Restaurant: King Hwa

KingHwa is a Chinese-Thai restaurant in the heart of the European Quarter. It is one of those standard Far-East Asian restaurants; not fine dining but not a dump either. In summer, there is a terrace in the backyard. The food is pretty good depending on what you choose. If you choose from the regular menu, you will get a decent portion of food with a fairly good taste. It is not something that you will jump up and down out of joy for, but you will find yourself coming back on a day when you are too lazy to cook and feel like something Thai or Chinese. However, if you choose one of the chef's suggestions, you are in for a better treat! The chef's suggestions really remind you of why there are - well, chef's suggestions! These are delicious. Service is good; friendly, but not over the top.

Grades given by Good Food in Belgium:
Food: 3- regular menu, 3++ chef's suggestions 
Atmosphere: 3-
Friendliness of staff: 3
Would I go there again: yes
Would I recommend the place: I would not specifically mention the place, but in case someone asked about a decent Thai/Chinese in the area, why not. This is where you can go with your significant other, your family, or a friend you just want to grab something to eat with. I would not book for a business meeting. 
Value for money: yes

For more reviews, check out TripAdvisor!

Restaurant: Zio

Zio is an Italian restaurant in Waterloo. It is quite cosy with friendly staff and a good atmosphere. Although quite booked from time to time, they always seem to find a way to squeeze you in, if only possible. In summer, there is a nice terrace in the backyard. The portions are generous, so you will not leave hungry. In the beginning, one may find that the dishes take some liberties with regards to their names, however, the result is nonetheless delicious. This is a warm and comforting place to come to whenever you want to have a nice dinner out.

If this place was to be reviewed only within its own category (cosy, family friendly Italian places), it would score much higher. However, to be fair; Zio is not closing up on Michelin stars in any way, nor should it. But with the given reviewing principles, this has to be taken into consideration when comparing restaurants. After all, everything is subjective. And, by the way, so is taste! This is still a very good place to go should you be in Waterloo!

Grades given by Good Food in Belgium:
Food: 3++ 
Atmosphere: 4
Friendliness of staff: 4
Would I go there again: yes!!
Would I recommend the place: yes, for family and friends. If you are not too formal, you can even take a close business colleague out for dinner. 
Value for money: yes

For more reviews, check out TripAdvisor!

Restaurant: Nanaban

Nanaban is a Japanese noodle bar in Zaventem. It is rather small, with one center "bar disk" that you can sit around to enjoy your noodles and a few small tables for two. During lunch time, the place fills up pretty quickly, so be in time or prepare to wait. A good sign is that Japanese business people show up and queue for their noodles!

At first, you may find the service very limited and not flexible, however, the concept is clearly described on Nanaban's website. In order to be able to serve Ramen noodles without sacrificing quality, some compromises had to be made regarding the menu etc. So don't expect coffee/tea or dessert afterwards. Just slurp your noodles (and get out).

The noodles are good, no doubt about that. But do they blow your socks off? Hmm, maybe not.

Grades given by Good Food In Belgium:
Food: 3+
Atmosphere: 3
Friendliness of staff: 3-. It would not add to the costs to smile...
Would I go there again: maybe, if in the area
Would I recommend the place: if you really are into Ramen noodles, yes.
Value for money: yes

For more reviews, check out TripAdvisor

Restaurant: Barbanera

Barbanera is an Italian restaurant tucked away in the European Quarters of Brussels. The interior is somewhat posh, and somehow you get a feeling of being brought back to the 1980s (or something). If going for the all white tablecloth theme, there has to be something more to it. The things eating up the atmosphere are the use of too much light in part of the dining hall and the radio being used as the source of music. You are especially unlucky if seated under the loud speakers... The food was rather bland, and nothing worth mentioning. The main positive is that the service was friendly.

Perhaps this place could have more atmosphere if and when the restaurant would be full of people. But on the other hand, a half-empty restaurant also speaks for itself...

Grades given by Good Food in Belgium:
Food: 2
Atmosphere: 2
Friendliness of staff: 3+
Would I go there again: no
Would I recommend the place: no. Perhaps if you wanted a really quiet place to talk business or you wanted to take out your old auntie...
Value for money: no. Food too bland with regards to the prices.

For more reviews, take a look at TripAdvisor. They seem to give a slightly better review, although some opinions are similar to ours. Maybe we were just unlucky? But it only takes that one lame experience to not want to go back, especially since there are so many options...

Restaurant: L'Amour Fou

L'Amour Fou is a nice and busy restaurant in Ixelles that serve burgers and Mexico influenced dishes. They are also famous for their variety of brunches. The food is okay. There is nothing wrong with it, you will happily eat it. However, it will not blow your socks off. The place is often crowded with a youthful atmosphere. Service is friendly, although at busy times you may find yourself left to your own devices for some time. You will, however, leave happy and fed.

Grades given by Good Food in Belgium:
Food: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Friendliness of staff: 3+
Would I go there again: yes
Would I recommend the place: yes, for an informal evening with friends, or for a Sunday brunch.
Value for money: yes

For more reviews, have a look at TripAdvisor!

Restaurant: Il ristorante Viticolo

Il ristorante Viticolo is a more upscale Italian restaurant in the European Quarters, close to the European Commission. It has a rather modern interior that gives a calm and classy feeling without being snobbish or stiff. The food is excellent with generous portion sizes making sure that you do not leave hungry. What is best about the place is the front of the house waiter/sommelier! What a service!  You feel well taken care of even at the most busiest time.

Grades given by Good Food in Belgium:
Food: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Friendliness of staff: 5+ (excellent!!!)
Would I go there again: yes
Would I recommend the place: yes, whenever for good Italian food. Suitable for business dinners, as the place is classy and the sound level enables discussion.
Value for money: yes

For more reviews, have a look at TripAdvisor!

Restaurant: La Kasbah

Kasbah is a Moroccan restaurant in the Dansaert area close to the Fishmarket. The atmosphere is created by dark walls, lots of colourful lights, and soft cushions. Every now and then you will be entertained by a belly danser. The restaurant has both an upstairs and a smaller downstairs area. On the menu you will find classical tangines and couscous, as well as salads, soups, delicacies from the grill, and Moroccan desserts. You also have the option to try some wines from the Maghreb area.

Grades given by Good Food in Belgium:
Food: 3+
Atmosphere: 4
Friendliness of staff: 4
Would I go there again: yes
Would I recommend the place: yes, for informal gatherings. Maybe not for a business dinner, if you wish to maintain any formal discussions.
Value for money: yes


You may want to have a look at the reviews given by TripAdvisor. 

Market: Place des Chasseurs Ardennais

Place des Chasseurs Ardennais is a busy little market in Schaerbeek, open on Fridays around 1pm and 7.30pm. As it is close to the European Quarter, it has become popular among EU people for having a glass of wine and a small snack to start off the weekend.

In one of the wine bars, you can relax with some nice wines and a generous snack to share with friends. The background music keeps the atmosphere up. It is quite crowded, but just squeeze in, and enjoy the evening!

A snack to share together with friends over a glass of wine

Of course, there are plenty of choices here. For example, why not indulge in some grilled mussels? If you remember the cartoons from your childhood, where the character was following a very visible cloud of scent leading to delicious food, well, here you'll have it. You can tell from a distance that something good is on the grill.

Mussles on the grill. 

We are all so used to mobile technology these days. Of course, some mobile applications are more enjoyable than others. With this one, you can enjoy a glass of wine while looking over the market place. It is a bit more quiet, as it is on the outskirt of the market, however, if you just want to enjoy a glass and be a little bit outside the fuzz, then this one is for you.

Mobile winebar

In addition to enjoying something to eat and drink at the market, you may want to collect some food home for the weekend. There are plenty of choices here, from mushroom to vegetable and fruit, cheese, sausages, olives, spices, chilis...you name it!

Mushroom stall

Fruit and vegetable stall

Another mobile application to enjoy - movin' chocolates!

Apples and pears

Chicken!!!

Market: Boitsfort

The Boitsfort market is a lively Sunday market open from 8am to 1pm. You can find the usual there: fresh food products, wine stands, a bread stand, and of course, food stands serving generous dishes to enjoy there or take with you.

The market also hosts a small eatery, Le Tram de Boitsfort, where you can squeeze in for some burgers and fries. If the weather permits, you can also eat your meal outside.

Le Tram de Boitsfort

If you don't feel like burgers and fries, you can always opt for something else. Why not some very generous thai dishes enjoyed at a bench? You may even match the colour of the curry to your pants :-)

Red and green thai curry and rice at the Boitsfort market. Delicious!  One dish would be enough to feed two (unless you are super hungry)

It is practically impossible to pass the stalls with fresh produce without buying anything. These inviting raspberries caught our attention and deserved the honour of becoming dessert.

Fresh raspberries from the Boitsfort market

The Boitsfort market is definitely worth a visit! For more highlights, visit the blog Eleven lovely things on this subject!

Restaurant: La Brace

La Brace is an Italian restaurant located in the European District. It is always busy with customers enjoying their food and waiters rushing by to keep them fed and happy. Sometimes two musicians show up to entertain the diners with some music, and with a little luck, the pizza chef joins in the performance with some singing. This is a place to enjoy a relaxed evening with friends around some huge portions of warm and hearty food. You will not leave hungry!

Grades given by Good Food in Belgium:
Food: 3+
Atmosphere: 4
Friendliness of staff: 4
Would I go there again: yes
Would I recommend the place: yes, for informal gatherings
Value for money: yes

This is how TripAdvisor reviews the place!