In the De Republiek complex, a luminous and multifunctional cultural center (workshops, movie theater rooms, conference rooms, performance spaces), seats at Le Grand Café are harder to come by than those at a Dune premiere. The plates tend to be plant-forward, but are not exclusively vegetarian: a cheeky tartine topped with mushrooms, celery cream and curry sauce; generous and tender pappardelle in a celeriac broth with kale; delicate haddock with sweet potato cream, sunchokes, mushrooms and beurre blanc sauce; and vegan pastries from Chez Mariette… Or even a plate of local charcuterie or a cheese platter, served with Tierenteyn mustard and Bruges biscuits. So, even without speaking Dutch, you’ll understand the invitation, heard a little bit everywhere, to blijven plakken: here, it’s easy to linger. // Mireille Flocon

FEELING THIRSTY? Wine pairing suggestions (a glass of tempranillo Cuzo for €5.90), beers (Jump Out Of A Plane from the Brouwerij The Musketeers or a Blinden Ezel IPA from Cobblestone Craft Brewery for €5.90) or a cocktail – Aperol Spritz and cava (€9.50), Old Fashioned with maple syrup, or a Fizz with apple juice and spices (€13).

PRICE: Mains €18-25, snacks €7-13, desserts €8-12, kids’ dishes €10.