Mortier

Few places provide both mouthwatering menus and warm welcomes. Here, the Mortier brothers have managed to bring you both – with Pieter (the roaster) in the dining room and Thomas (the chef) in the kitchen – who took on this challenge by transforming a former beauty salon in the Dampoort neighborhood into a lively locally-sourced joint, with backup from Laura De Vlam and Sofie De Pue. At lunchtime, there’s a simple selection of pasta, sandwiches and toast… all homemade of course. Before an Italian menu that’s more elaborate and accessible at night: gorgonzola and kale tart; pork shank osso buco or fresh pasta with romanesco… And if you’re not feeling like a full-on meal, opt instead for an apéro with friends or a cup of coffee roasted in-house with a vegan Oats&Roll cake at snack time. Always different, never disappointing! // Anika Kane

FEELING THIRSTY? Organic, alcohol-free options: De Drie Wilgen apple juice (€3), kombucha from Irminhildis (€5)… Beers, pour-over coffee, iced coffee or coffee cocktails, plus twenty-some wines, including a sauvignon from Les Vignerons de Capitelles (€5.50 a glass) and a natural Bulgarian merlot and cabernet blend from Adriana Srebrinova (€39 a bottle).

PRICE: Breakfast €3-16, lunch €6.50 to €18.50, menu €38 (two mains).