Nomade Coffee, a new hotspot in the vibrant “Ma Campagne” in Ixelles, is one of those places where you step in and immediately feel like you are on a journey. Bali, Tulum, Marrakech, the interior style effortlessly mixes it all. Warm wood, soft textures, a few colorful accents... Here, I don’t just come to drink coffee; I transport myself without leaving Brussels.

And what about the coffee itself? It comes from Andy Coffee Roasters, a top roaster from Antwerp, and Nomade is the very first place in Brussels that works with their beans. They serve, among others, Guatemala, Brazil, Kenya, and Rwanda, each with its own flavor profile. Love for the product, from bean to cup.

By the way, the counter is also something to be happy about: vegan peanut butter brookies, polenta cake, cinnamon rolls, pistachio-white chocolate cookies, banana bread... Everything homemade, fresh, and simply delicious. Whether you're looking for something to go with your flat white or just craving a good sweet snack.

Nomade Coffee is charming, stylish, and relaxed at the same time. No nonsense, no hustle. Just good coffee, nice vibes, and an interior where you spontaneously want to linger. Be sure to try a filter coffee (the Kenya is top!) and pair it with a brookie.
Or settle down with your laptop by the window and let the city pass by.

At Boa Boa , everything literally revolves around music. It is a place where I come to listen, taste, and discover. Vinyl records play the leading role here: carefully selected, always in line with the atmosphere. Not just background music, but a full-fledged experience.

The logo? A snake (or boa) winding around the turntable. And that says it all. Everything here is designed with attention to detail: from the sound system to the interior, from the menu to the playlists.

Every Tuesday there is “Album Night”: a carefully curated playlist with a specific theme or mood, which you can follow at the table via a QR code, including explanations about the albums. Resident DJ Matteo van Bello Records is present almost daily, bringing the atmosphere to life with his fine, intuitive choices. Sometimes a guest DJ plays, and who knows, you might find yourself in an unexpected back-to-back session at the turntables.

The kitchen effortlessly mixes styles and influences: from small appetizers like smoked nuts or ricotta mousse, to original flatbreads and dishes with Middle Eastern or Asian touches. There are also surprising veggie combinations, fine meat dishes, and homemade desserts that are both simple and surprising. Think: a soft rice pudding with vanilla and verbena, or a light chocolate cake with mascarpone cream. Everything is made to share. Or not.

Boa Boa is not a coffee bar, not a restaurant, not a club. It is an experience.

A place to tune out for a moment. Or to be completely in.

Let the music guide you and share some small dishes. With a good glass of wine and a record in the background, this is the kind of place where you stay... and come back.

Looking for something different than the classic coffee shop or ice cream parlor? Then I recommend Booza, a unique place in the heart of Ixelles where the Middle East meets Brussels. This delightful spot is the newest brainchild of Georges Baghazi, also known from My Tannour and is bursting with personality, flavor, and hospitality.

What makes Booza so special? Syrian ice cream, yes, you read that right. Not a scoop like usual, but ice cream made with love and craftsmanship. The base is ashta, a type of milk cream, which is traditionally whipped to a soft, almost chewy texture with a rubber mallet in a cooled tunnel. Afterwards, the ice cream is rolled in a crunchy crust of roasted pistachios. Heavenly is an understatement.

In addition to ice cream, you can also enjoy cardamom-infused milk, homemade chai latte, Arabic coffee, and various types of iced tea with flavors like pineapple-passionfruit, hibiscus, rosehip, or elderflower. You always receive your coffee or tea with a glass of ice water and a date, subtle yet so thoughtful.

And the sweets… Think: a fluffy cinnamon roll with baklava vibes, atayef (a stuffed crepe like a mini calzone), classic baklava with orange blossom, and fresh, warm knafeh with melted cheese, caramelized orange, and pistachio. Everything à la minute, everything fresh.

But Booza is more than just sweets. Starting from 5 PM, the team serves a delicious selection of tapas with a Middle Eastern twist: from burrata with honey and feta, to hummus, sujuk, and bastirma. There are also original cocktails on the menu with coffee or nut accents, inspired by the flavors of the day: the Kawa, Fustuk, and Karade, each as surprising as refreshing.

Inside it’s cozy, but make sure to walk through to the quiet garden at the back, an oasis of calm in the city. You’ll feel at home here right away. Georges and his team welcome you as if you’ve been coming here for years. Chat a bit, taste something delicious, stick around. Super Nice!

Schmet is Brussels slang for the French “voyou” a word that sounds like an insult, but is also playfully used among friends in Brussels. A bit cheeky, a bit rebellious. And you can feel that atmosphere here too.

You can find this café on the Poelaertplein, right across from the old Palace of Justice. Ideal if you're looking for a break after shopping on Louizalaan or if you were on the Ferris wheel with the kids.

Inside? Warm and raw at the same time. The ceiling is graphically constructed in wood, the raw concrete pillars and balconies have been intentionally left unfinished, and the floor is a beautiful wooden herringbone. It has an urban feel, but also something inviting. Simple, but with a lot of attention to detail.

It’s not a restaurant, but rather a café with character. They have a breakfast menu, lunch options, and something light for the evening. Not too much fuss, but everything is carefully chosen. I had a kombucha with peach and yuzu, completely organic and vegan, super refreshing. And yes, they also have a good pint on tap.

Schmet is one of those places where you walk in without a plan, and yet want to stick around. For the atmosphere and the feeling that you are somewhere where Brussels is completely itself.

Ideal for a coffee stop or a quick lunch. Or just to escape the hustle and bustle for a moment, in a place that has just that little bit more.