“We’re here, we’re queer,” proclaim Marie-Ève Tijou (Mica in Brussels, L’Artère in Montreal, La Dinette in Lille) and Charlotte Bonamour Du Tartre (Café La Pompe and Ici in Brussels, Navarino in Montreal), setting the tone for their safe space that wears multiple hats: a restaurant, a record store (independent micro-labels only) and a café-concert (a sort of launch pad for local groups). An impressive feat in a neighborhood of Brussels where globalization is rampant. This cultural exception to the rule is tucked away in a calming space with two entrances, decked out with high ceilings, moldings and two industrial light fixtures, not to mention the vintage furniture and gingham fabric napkins. At lunch, eaten on the raised platform (the same one that transforms into a stage at night), it’s all about locally-sourced fare: the Tigre bowl features fiery paprika-spiced grilled tofu wrapped up in peanut sauce; while the raw carrot, red cabbage and quinoa salad acts as vegetal reinforcement and is anything but austere. For dessert, hazelnut lava cake quivers under a light caramel sauce. // Salty Litchi

FEELING THIRSTY? Ginger beer from L’Annexe (€3.50 for 330 ml), a happy lager from the Brasserie Illegal (€5.50), or even Trinqu’âmes, an excellent Loire sauvignon from La Grange Tiphaine (€36 a bottle).

PRICE: À la carte €20-28 (lunch and dinner), shared plates €5-20.