The best Italian restaurants in Brussels to try in 2023!
As a big fan of Italy and especially of its gastronomy, I am always looking for the gem that will make me travel mentally to this beautiful country. So I started a list of the best Italian restaurants in Brussels a while ago. From the traditional cuisine to the restaurant to do with friends, I share with you my list of my favourite Italian restaurants located in the Belgian capital!
A traditional Italian restaurant
If you want to enjoy traditional Italian cuisine, here is a list of good restaurants in Brussels! No fuss, no muss, just good, simple, effective food.
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Osteria bolognese - €€ : A real cuisine with a taste of Italy, that's what this restaurant located in Ixelles offers. I recommend it with blind eyes !
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Certo - €€€ : This restaurant, located not far from Saint-Boniface square, is a little nugget! They offer traditional dishes but with a touch of originality! Book well in advance as there are only a few tables.
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Primo - €€ : Located on the Châtelain side and more precisely near Vleurgat, this Italian restaurant will welcome you for a good meal to spend with family or friends.
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Atelier dolce amaro - €€ : If you want good food and incredible service, go to this Brussels restaurant!
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Aglio e Olio - €€ : Welcome to a traditional Italian restaurant. Don't let the decoration fool you, their food is definitely worth a visit! Their pasta with scarmoza is just incredible, believe me!
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Ricotta et parmesan - €€ : In this Italian restaurant, you can choose the type of pasta you want and the sauce that goes with it. It's up to you to make your own dish. Pretty cool huh?
Enjoying a good pizza in Brussels
There are very few restaurants where you can enjoy a real pizza! After many attempts, I offer you my very short list of the best pizzerias in Brussels. You can go there with eyes shut, the pizzas will undoubtedly make you travel to the Italian lands!
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Cantinetta - €€ : Located in St. Boniface square, this restaurant offers real Neapolitan pizzas. Don't worry, for pasta lovers, delicious pasta dishes are also on the menu!
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Al baccio - €€ : This restaurant located in Ixelles offers gourmet cuisine and their pizzas are to die for: a thin crust, a good tomato sauce and above all quality products. What more could you ask for?
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La pizza e bella - €€ : This Italian restaurant is located in the Sablon district. If you want to have a choice in terms of pizza, this is the place for you! From the classic pizza to the calzone, their pizza menu is very interesting.
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Le volta super club - €€ : This is the perfect place to spend a night out with your mates and enjoy a delicious pizza. There is a speakeasy hidden underneath the restaurant to continue the evening!
Italian restaurants to enjoy with friends
If you're looking for an Italian restaurant with a bit of atmosphere for an evening with friends, the list I'm sharing with you right after is made for you! These are restaurants where the food is excellent but where the atmosphere is also great.
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Cocina - €€ : This Italian restaurant located in Flagey only offers pizza. But it has a little brother near the Tenbosch park for those who are more of the pasta team (be careful when you make the reservation!). Both are great, you just have to choose your team!) The food is excellent and the products ultra fresh!
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Bistro nationale - €€ : Also located near Place Flagey, this address offers pasta and pizza. You can also enjoy delicious cocktails here.
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Fico - €€ : For efficient, simple and gourmet food, go to Fico Osteria. It's in the Chatelain district, right next to a lot of great bars!
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Cipiace - €€ : If there's one restaurant to party in, it's Cipiace. Charcuterie boards, delicious dishes, incredible cocktails, you won't be disappointed! The atmosphere is ultra warm and family friendly!
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Genco - €€ : Also located in the Sablon district, this restaurant offers a refined but very tasty cuisine! The welcome is incredible and you really feel at home. I recommend it! The place is however a bit more "chic" than the ones listed above.
Italian brunches
If you are a brunch fan and want a change from the classic brunches, I suggest you head for an Italian brunch! Delicatessen, cheese and a lot of delicious dishes will be offered to you in the following Italian restaurants:
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Miranda - €€€€ : ocated on Rue du Page, this restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy an Italian brunch. The brunch menu ranges from 35€ to 45€. It's up to you to choose the brunch deal that suits you best!
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Bistro nazionale - €€€ : I mentioned it before, this restaurant also offers brunch on Sunday mornings. Presented as a buffet, the menu also includes 1 cocktail and 1 hot drink! They take place every Sunday from 11am to 3pm for a price of 35€ per adult and 15€ per child.
- Bocconi - €€€€ : This gourmet restaurant offers wonderful brunches on weekends! The perfect stop before continuing your walk in the centre of Brussels. They offer a splendid buffet with dishes, so it's heaven on earth.
The perfect Italian restaurants for lunch
If you feel like taking a little Italian food break during the day, I have the addresses you need! Discover my list of Italian restaurants for a lunch!
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Gusto - €€ : In the heart of the Châtelain, this restaurant offers Italian meals perfect for lunches. Quite easy to get to, it's the perfect place to take a little break during your day.
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Gazetta - €€ : This Italian restaurant is located just off Avenue Louise and offers a menu based on the produce of the day! With its rather limited menu, this address ensures the quality of the products it offers. In short, it's the perfect place for a little lunch break.
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Frasca - €€ : This restaurant offers crazy lunches with a great value for money. I recommend it with my eyes closed if you want a nice restaurant with real Italian products! Psst: this restaurant is also a grocery shop.
The perfect Italian restaurants for a special occasion
If you feel like treating yourself to a good Italian restaurant, the following list of addresses will please you! Beware, you'll need to budget a little to get there, but hey, you have to be able to indulge once in a while.
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Dolce campagna - €€€ :Located in Vleurgat, this restaurant offers an idyllic setting with a small private court at the back of the restaurant. I recommend it if you want to treat yourself to a good Italian meal.
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Osteria Romana - €€€ : At the entrance of Avenue Louise, Osteria Romana is an institution. You will find one of the best carbs in Brussels! We also recommend the fried artichokes, an incredible traditional Roman dish.
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Racines - €€€ : This gourmet Italian restaurant is a real killer. Also located in the Flagey district (yes, many restaurants have taken up residence there), Racines offers dishes made with high quality products. Don't wait to try it!
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Bocconi - €€€€ : Right in the city centre, in the famous Hotel Amigo, this gastronomic restaurant will transport you directly to Italy. Perfect for a special occasion!
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Dolce Amaro - €€€€ : This very famous restaurant in Brussels is delicious. Personally, the setting is not really to my taste (but that's a matter of taste of course!).
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Senzanome - €€€€ : This starred Italian restaurant located in the heart of the Sablon in Brussels is a must try! If you have something to celebrate, this is the place I would directly recommend. The restaurant was ranked 13th best Italian restaurant in the world by the website "50topItaly"!
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Da Mimmo - €€€€ : This starred restaurant is located in another corner of Brussels, on the side of Woluwe-saint-Lambert, in a residential area. The dishes are daring, the setting ultra cozy and intimate. An extraordinary Italian cuisine. A must-do! Their weekday lunch is also delicious for an occasion.
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Miranda - €€€€ : Already mentioned in the brunch category, this is also a must for a dinner for a special occasion!
Italian restaurants I haven't tried yet
Even though I've already tried quite a few Italian restaurants, there are new ones that pop up every week in Brussels. So I decided to share them with you in this article!
I hope this list will help you in your hunt for restaurants! Don't hesitate to share your opinion with me once you've tried the best restaurants in Belgium. And for the more adventurous among you, why not get your hands dirty by participating in this workshop to learn how to make your own Italian pasta and pesto. I think it's a great activity to vary restaurants and learn new skills.
