By Benjamin Mason and Emma Franckaert
If you’re out and about in Belgium and Luxembourg, why not grab a bite to eat at a refugee-led restaurant, cafe or bistro? UNHCR Brussels is bringing you just a selection of the many inspirational businesses around Belgium and Luxembourg built by or employing refugees. This is just a snapshot and if you visit or have been to another establishment we’ve missed, why not tag us on Twitter at @Refugees_EU and tell us more!
Bassel and his team serve up a variety of rare and interesting coffees at this popular breakfast spot in Brussels, while loveable sheepdog Stella greets human and canine café-goers alike. The usual cappuccinos and americanos feature alongside more unique inventions – try a lemongrass or rosewater latte. Teas, smoothies and a tantalizing selection of homemade pastries complete the picture. For the full experience, ask the barista what special coffees they have – these change week by week. Well-placed between the Saint-Gilles and Chatelain quarters, Stella is often abuzz with friendly chat as regulars and commuters stop by for breakfast or a caffeine fix. Bright but cosy, the relaxed atmosphere makes for a coffee break you’ll never want to end.
Address: Chaussée de Charleroi 91A, 1060 Saint-Gilles, Brussels, Belgium
“Made by Syrians – for everyone” is the motto emblazoned on the windows of We Exist in Brussels- a unique restaurant, catering company and NGO rolled into one. The project was born when co-manager Obada first combined his mother’s timeless recipes with his own entrepreneurial streak, hosting a “Syrian Dinner” event at the Brussels Quaker House. ‘We Exist’ soon grew into not only a successful catering company with many local and international clients, but also a valuable hub for newcomers to access the labour market. On the back of their catering success, Obada and the team also opened the doors of a bright and welcoming restaurant space just a stone’s throw from Brussels’ Botanical Gardens. House favourites include, among others, the Syrian-style maklubeh and the variety of traditional homemade mezzes.
Address: Rue de l’Association 9, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Located in Tour & Taxis to the north of Brussels, La Fourna serves up a unique, vegetarian blend of Middle-Eastern and African cuisine. The restaurant was opened by Belgian local Hilde in 2020, with the aim of employing and empowering women with migrant backgrounds, including refugees and asylum-seekers. The staple dish at La Fourna is their hand-stretched, hand-baked flatbread, cooked fresh on a searing hotplate. Bread lends itself to sharing, says Hilde, and every culture has its own techniques – La Fourna’s chefs contribute their own home recipes and flavours with a range of spreads and side dishes to accompany the flatbread. The team’s newest member Rachel hopes to see dishes from her home country Ethiopia on the menu soon, but for now highly recommends the baba-ganoush. The spacious inside terrace and leafy décor make La Fourna the perfect lunch spot, but for Rachel and others it represents much more than that: the chance to access to the labour market and forge friendships through a community of strong, supportive women.
Address:
Tour&Taxis. Royal Depot. Avenue du Port 86C. 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Vooruitgangstraat 76 1030 Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium
Located in the heart of Mons in southern Belgium, this classic Eastern-Mediterranean restaurant takes its name from the owner’s home town in Lebanon. Behind the elegant granite façade, a wide selection of mezze dishes cater for all tastes – vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will find plenty to choose from here. Among the chefs working their magic in the kitchen is Syrian refugee Kamal – his work at Baalbeck has been a source of stability and a great opportunity for integration. As much as Kamal enjoys cooking, outside the kitchen his true passion is football. Kamal will be representing Belgium in a team of refugees and locals at the 2023 Unity Euro Cup in Frankfurt this 28 June – proud to wear the badge of his adopted country.
Address: Rue de la Clef 16, 7000 Mons, Belgium
When Anna fled the war in Ukraine and arrived in Belgium in March 2022, little did she know that a year later she would be combining her passions for mixology and knitting in her own unique pop-up bar. When the town of Puurs-Sint-Amands in the province of Antwerp made a high-street building available for a one-year pop-up venue, Anna didn’t hesitate for a second to apply – « I am fearless ever since the war broke out, » she says. Knit & Drink opened its pastel-pink doors in April, and while you won’t find the standard soft drink or beer on the menu, the choice is yours between bespoke cocktails, homemade lemonades and pastries, Ukrainian red berry teas, and unique coffees such as the iced banana latte. In addition, knitting enthusiasts are encouraged to work on their projects over coffee and a slice of cake, or browse Anna’s own line of textile products. Everything Anna does for her pop-up bar, she does with love: « I’ve had a tough year, but thanks to Knit and Drink, I have something to look forward to every day again. »
Address: Botermarkt 3, 2870 Puurs-Sint-Amands, Belgium
As a young girl in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sandra inherited her passion for cooking from her mother and grandmother, and learned from a young age that food brings people together. When she arrived in Belgium in 2005 as a refugee from DRC, cooking and food remained a common thread – with the aromas of Sandra’s family recipes captivating her neighbours at the reception-centre and helping her forge new friendships in her new home. In March 2023, she was able to fulfill her dream and open the first African restaurant in Limburg, just a stone’s throw from Hasselt train station. With specialties such as grilled goat, cassava leaves, grilled fish and fried plantains, Sandra brings authentic Congolese cuisine to your plate in Safari restaurant.
Address: Kon. Astridlaan 30, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
Antwerp’s newest ice cream shop, Frozen Art, brings shiryakh – traditional Afghan ice cream made of cream, milk and fresh cardamom – to Belgium. Its owner Assadullah fled his country over a decade ago and arrived in Belgium as an unaccompanied child refugee. “Belgium has given me so much and I wanted to give something back,” Assadullah reflected. Each morning, Assadullah’s day begins with a labour of love to prepare the ice cream mixture which he whips up in front of his customers in a deep, cooled iron pot, until the ice cream takes shape. An array of toppings – from blueberries, chocolate chips to a crunch of almonds – transform each scoop into a masterpiece of flavor. Assadullah’s favorite topping? A combination of qaimaq (condensed milk), pistachio and mango.
Address: Lange Beeldekensstraat 115, 2060 Antwerp, Belgium
Tucked beneath an ordinary-looking apartment block in the Limpertsberg quarter of Luxembourg City, this vibrant restaurant fosters social inclusion while serving up authentic Lebanese cuisine. A social project launched by Luxembourger Marianne Donven in 2017, Chiche! provides a foothold for refugees and migrants, facilitating access to employment, education and integration. Long-serving staff member Ihab reflects on the diversity which keeps Chiche! in business: “In Chiche! you get refugees from many countries, from many cultures.” Since opening its doors, Chiche! has proved a success on all fronts, with three more locations opening up in addition to the sizeable flagship branch. Up-cycled décor, artwork and antique furniture create a cozy and convivial atmosphere, as locals and expats alike flock to sample house favourites such as the falafel and chiche taouk.
Address: 20 Av. Pasteur, 2310 Limpertsberg Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Taking its name from a historic city and province in the snow-capped mountains of central Afghanistan, Bamyan is a family-run restaurant bringing authentic Afghan cuisine to the banks of the Alzette river in Luxembourg. An attractive south-facing terrace offers idyllic views of Luxembourg’s skyline, the river and a nearby viaduct – perfect for warmer evenings. Indoors, the rustic brick archways and contemporary artwork combine in a trendy, welcoming ambiance. Luxembourg’s first Afghan restaurant, Bamyan was opened in 2022 by two couples – the Modasir’s and Etemadi’s – with the aim of introducing the diverse local population to real Afghan delicacies. Specialities include the Ashak – vegetable dumplings topped with lentil sauce – and the Qabuli – an aromatic rice dish with marinated beef and caramelized carrots.
Address: 2 Montée de Clausen , Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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