Alimentation Géniale

Near the rather unappealing neighborhood grocery stores in the lower Saint-Gilles district, a luminous concept has emerged: a sanctuary of carefully-sourced (bobo-pleasing) organic products, sourced directly from a network of local producers and grown in greenhouses that are never artificially heated! Founded by a group of seven rubber-boot-toting friends who were behind the bike delivery service Heureux Nouveau, the latter gave way to Alimentation Géniale back in 2017 – two years after the Marché de la Glacière, located a little further away. You’ll find only good things in the produce crates of this huge épicerie that feels a bit like GASAP, the famous wholesale network connecting citizens and farmers: artistic Festival and Bleu de Hongrie squashes from the Ferme du Maustitchi; fennel from the Ferme du Peuplier; wild chanterelle and sweet tooth mushrooms, foraged by the manager of Atelier 34zero; along with a fine foods section that has everything you need to survive the end of the world (olives, sardines, various tomato sauces); and bulk bins of red lentils, polenta, spelt wheat flour or sweet treats baked by the Biscuiterie Namuroise. // Laszlo Dela

The hidden gem: The Samson cow’s milk cheese wrapped in flowers, made with milk from the Samson Fromagerie (€42.95/kilo).