Philema

The story

Philema Brussels: Modern Greek Cuisine Recognized by Michelin

A Taste of Crete in Brussels

At Philema, the spirit of Greek hospitality meets the precision of a Michelin-recommended kitchen. Located on the Chaussée de Waterloo in Ixelles, this Brussels restaurant is the work of chef Manos Makrygiannakis, a Cretan who learned to cook by watching his mother and getting tangled in her pots.

For Makrygiannakis, Philema is a personal distillation: of memories, of habits, of the thoughts shared daily at his family’s table. The restaurant’s name, which translates to “hospitable friendship,” captures exactly that. The cooking is rooted in Greece but unafraid to evolve — Makrygiannakis describes the restaurant as “our child in Crete, learning to live in the world, to experiment and evolve together with you.”

The menu explores the aromas of the Mediterranean, moving beyond stereotypes to surprise regulars and newcomers alike. The wine program is equally thoughtful, drawing from Greece’s ancient vineyards — one of the oldest wine-producing regions on earth — with bottles from nearly every corner of the country, from the islands to the mainland.

Philema has earned a Michelin recommendation for 2026, a recognition that confirms the care behind every plate. The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, with outdoor seating available when the weather allows. It’s a place where Greek cuisine, in the hands of a chef who grew up in it, feels both familiar and fresh.