Celebrated table

Barkboy

Discover Reda Vranken’s American-inspired Brussels café, praised by Le Fooding for its handcrafted buns, weekend desserts, and lively marble bar.

The story

Barkboy Brussels: An American-Inspired Café Recognized by Le Fooding

The chef and the kitchen

Barkboy in Brussels delivers an American-inspired café experience shaped by founder Reda Vranken. Le Fooding highlighted the spot in its 2026 edition for maintaining a sharp concept and consistent execution. Vranken keeps production visible behind the counter, letting visitors watch the daily workflow unfold. The space operates as both a quick stop and a destination for people who value straightforward quality.

Twisted buns and weekend treats

The kitchen bakes cardamom, cinnamon, and chocolate varieties of twisted buns throughout the week. Weekend service shifts toward heavier desserts, featuring chunky white chocolate and macadamia nut cookies alongside New York banana pudding. Staff serve these items in transparent cans stamped with a bulldog logo to keep portions portable. This American-inspired café maintains a simple routine that prioritizes texture over unnecessary complexity.

The room and the vibe

Emerald green marble lines a long central bar that anchors the dining area. Raw wood barstools sit against whitewashed brick walls while hip-hop music plays at a steady volume. Visitors often pause near the service window to grab a morning pastry or a late afternoon cookie. The layout encourages quick conversations without sacrificing comfort during longer visits.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026
Le Fooding
Listed

Details

At a glance

Le Fooding 2026 — Listed

History

On the record

2026
Le Fooding — Listed

Who let the dogs out? Who, who, who? Perhaps it was Reda Vranken, with his brand-new, very American-feeling Barkboy. There, you’ll discover a long marble bar with emerald green tones, raw wood barstools, whitewashed brick walls and hip-hop playing loudly in the background. It’s chic, it’s cutting-edge, it’s all about café, served in transparent cans with a bulldog logo printed on them. During the week, don’t miss the must-try twisted buns (cardamon, cinnamon or chocolate) baked in-house, and on the weekends, there are also chunky white chocolate and macadamia nut cookies, or the very New York banana pudding (vanilla whipped cream, cookie crust, banana) served in an ice cream cup. One complaint? The abundance of plastic, which we could have done without… // Timotea Persil

Established

Location

Find us

Rue de l'Enseignement 20, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Brussels, Belgium
Map showing Barkboy