In 2021, the four musketeers Ruth Dreessen, Christophe van Remoortere, Johan Heuninck and Michael Roelants opened their bar for hunger pangs on Moorkensplein, a highbrow-artistic hotspot in the Borgerhout district. Having sharpened their knives with the godfather of good food in Antwerp, Geert Weyn, chef of the funky Schnitzel, the gang clearly has plenty going for them. Untreated wood, vintage tiles and a jungle of plants, all complemented by a drool-worthy natural wine cellar. Spectators in a hurry from the neighboring concert hall come early for their fill before giving way to a second, more relaxed service, at the end of which Glou Glou becomes a bar where you can chat until late. Out of the open kitchen flies tapas-style plates, making for a lovely series of dishes: spot-on asparagus with karnemelk (a Batavian version of buttermilk); dapper fennel and gray shrimp; a creamy tarragon vichyssoise; delicious langoustines with artichokes and fregola sarda; hanger steak tataki, cucumber kimchi and puffed rice… Glou for all and all for Glou! // Kiko Zushi

FEELING THIRSTY? It’s all glugging naturally: Norman Florentin cider (€9 a glass), Symbiose, an Alsatian orange wine from Muller-Koeberlé (€8.50 a glass), a Gamay de Savoie from the Domaine Dupasquier (€39 a bottle)… and Oude Kriek from Oud Beersel (€9 for 375 ml).

PRICE: Plates €14-23.