The story

Gazzosa Brussels: Italian Cooking in Galerie Bortier

The kitchen and its founders

Gazzosa brings contemporary Italian cooking to Brussels inside the historic Galerie Bortier arcade. Lakhdar Hamina-Lakhdar founded the spot after years running venues like Verigoud and Caffè al Dente, teaming up with Carmelo Scenamo to shape the concept. Executive chef Matteo Gentile leads the pass, drawing on his time at Caffè al Dente to handle daily prep. This lineup earned them a spot on the Le Fooding 2026 list, a recognition that highlights their focus on straightforward, well-executed plates rather than theatrical presentation.

Italian cooking at the counter

Guests gather around the service bar to order deli-style, picking up hot items or grabbing ready-to-go portions. The menu features sage and Parmesan taglioni tossed in generous amounts of aged cheese. Thick slices of Tuscan coppa rest beside Vitruvian olives and fresh stracciatella on cold plates. Tortellini in brodo arrives swimming in a light chicken and vegetable stock infused with cloves. Every dish reflects a traditional Italian kitchen approach, leaning heavily on quality regional ingredients rather than complex techniques.

The space and the shop

The venue occupies a former bookshop setting under neo-classical arches that frame the narrow dining area. A small mezzanine overlooks the main floor while nineties indie records play quietly behind the counter. Patrons grab takeaway containers filled with toasted Piedmont hazelnuts and salted Puglian capers from the retail corner. The Italian pantry section stocks Gli Aironi carnaroli rice alongside other grocery staples meant for home kitchens. This blend of quick service and curated goods keeps the pace relaxed throughout the week.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026

Le Fooding

Listed

Details

At a glance

Le Fooding 2026 — Listed

Cuisines Italian

Services Counter Dining, Takeaway

History

On the record

2026

Le Fooding — Listed

Bye bye bookworms, hello famished bellies! Under the neo-classical arches of the venerable Galerie Bortier shopping arcade, in the former haven for rare and second-hand book sellers located just a stone’s throw from the Grand-Place, the invincible Lakhdar Hamina-Lakhdar (already at the helm of Verigoud, Malmö and Fight Club ) has once again hit the jackpot. This time around, he did it by bringing together his best Italophile tricks of the trade (he’s also the padre of Caffè al Dente and Gazzetta) with help from his sidekick Carmelo Scenamo (the founder of Mamma Roma). Together, they offer up culinary delights, aperitivo -at-the-deli-style, at this stretch of bar, around one of the tables or in the tiny mezzanine section, where you can savor some of the joyful treats prepared by chef Matteo Gentile (ex-Caffè al Dente): first-rate charcuterie, authentic focaccia, perfectly prepared pasta… and for us, the night we went, rife with 90s indie tunes playing in the background, a plate of indulgently fatty Tuscan coppa, Vitruvian olives and a stracciatella-mortadella sandwich (also served at lunch), all of which was washed down with a lovely little glass of white. We’ll be back for the pasta (sage and Parmesan taglioni, tortellini in brodo with a chicken and vegetable broth seasoned with cloves, etc.), and to bring home a few products from the épicerie section – toasted Piedmont hazelnuts, salted capers from Puglia, Gli Aironi carnaroli rice… Avanti ! · Jean-Eude d’Aye-Quiry

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Established

Location

Find us

Rue Saint-Jean 17, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Brussels, Belgium