When Helena Libert fires up her ovens, the entire Berchem neighborhood comes running! After years at the helm of Café Stanny (now Café Service), she’s finally branched out on her own with a catering business that spoils locals with generous, seasonal Middle Eastern dishes bursting with fresh vegetables and herbs. The day we popped by, her deli counter was a parade of global delights: lamb kefta in a tomatoey curry sauce; pak choi slathered in miso tahini sauce; an orzo and basmati pilaf; Swiss chard fritters; chicken and sweetcorn meatballs; zucchini and chickpea salad; hummus drizzled with chili oil; tzatziki; olive bread; endive soup and more. And for those with a sweet tooth, there are plenty of cherry and almond frangipane tarts to go round. A vibrant menu that shape-shifts daily in time with Helena’s inspiration! · Coco Bianca

THE HIDDEN GEM: Everything you don’t have time to cook during the week – and that you’ll never make as well as Helena does, like focaccia (€17 per kilo) or spanakopita (€28).