The Best Restaurants In Matongé, Brussels, Belgium
The African quarter of
Brussels lies the heart of the European capital. This bubbly, lively neighborhood didn’t always have the best reputation, but recent years have brought forth a new multi-cultural dynamic. Named after a district of the
Congolese capital, Kinshasa, Matonge is home to not only
African, but also
Italian,
Belgian and
Japanese cuisines. Come with us on a trip around the globe!
Giacomo, in lunch preparations at Osteria Bolognese
© Sara Gonçalves
Osteria Bolognese
This is a typical Italian osteria in the center of Matonge. Rue de la Paix hosts a lot of restaurants, but this little Italian place, simple in its decoration, offers genuine Italian food made with fresh products coming from local producers in Bologna. Giacomo opened in late 2013, and nowadays you have to book in advance if you want to get a table. Giacomo recommends the maccheroni guanciale (pig’s cheek) with pecorino talamello. Highlights also include the scarmorza ravioli with aubergine, and the heavenly homemade tiramisú. Service is friendly, the wine is excellent, and the food shows why Italian cuisine is always popular.
Soleil d’Afrique
© Sara Gonçalves
Craving some chicken wings? Word on the street is that the best in town are served here, with a side of spicy or peanut sauce. Try the maffé (beef stew), yassa (spicy marinated chicken or fish) or grilled lotte, traditional Senegalese specialties. Portions are generous and served with plenty of rice and the prices are great. The beers are equally cheap and we love the colorful paintings that fill the walls and tables; the atmosphere is cool and relaxed. Crowds gather here after apéro from Place du Luxembourg, so expect a busy and easy-going vibe. This is a pedestrian street, so it’s perfect for socializing on the outside terrace.
Mumtaz is one of the best Indian restaurants in Brussels. Don’t let yourself be fooled by the decoration, which could indeed benefit from a makeover. In the food department their rating is top flavor: curries, samosas, tandoori chicken, warm naans, and mango lassies. If you take away your food, you will get a 10% discount. The prices are affordable and the waiters attentive. Booking is recommended, and their chicken tikka masala has gained quite the reputation.
Little Tokyo
© Sara Gonçalves
This cute little restaurant features a delightful terrace, lots of light and a trendy decor. There’s a cosy atmosphere with its blue and white bowls, colorful lamps, and wooden tables. Food is unpretentious and tasty. Benoit, the chef, changes the menu every three months, to adapt the food to the seasons. Lunch menus include a miso soup, a bowl of rice and the plat du jour, which on Fridays is always sushi.
L’Horloge du Sud
© Sara Gonçalves
L’Horloge du Sud
Restaurant, African, Vegetarian, $$$
This is not just another
African restaurant: it also hosts concerts, debates, films, and art shows. The owner takes pride in this restaurant, which is also a cultural meeting point, providing soulfood for its customers. Try the lake tanganika tilapia fish, or the beef cheeks wrapped in sweet potato leaves, or yet the ‘kedjenou,’ a rich guinea-fowl stew that is the national dish of
Ivory Coast. You will need to order some side dishes if you want rice or potatoes, since the main dishes come without them. For the curious foodie, do note you can also try crocodile here! Don’t expect a fancy place: the chairs and tables are set up like a canteen, but the service is friendly and attentive.
