Straight from Italy, focaccia is no longer just a side dish. In Brussels, it has become the star of specialty shops, artisanal bakeries, and Italian restaurants that compete creatively to top it with exceptional ingredients. Soft, crispy, and generously topped, it now comes in a multitude of variations that make you want to come back again and again. Here are the spots where you can indulge in this specialty , which has become one of the capital’s most sought-after culinary delights.
Foca Loca
If there’s one spot that has truly made focaccia its signature dish, it’s Foca Loca. Located right in the heart of Brussels, this eatery puts a fresh spin on this Italian classic with generous, decidedly indulgent toppings. Mortadella and stracciatella, burrata and prosciutto, truffles, figs, or even porchetta, among others. Each recipe showcases high-quality ingredients. It’s the perfect spot for a quick lunch… that feels just like a gourmet meal.
Scopa
At Scopa, focaccia is elevated to the status of a true specialty. Each loaf undergoes a long fermentation process to achieve a slightly crispy crust and a particularly light crumb, before being topped to order with ingredients imported directly from Italy. Mortadella and stracciatella, Parma ham, porchetta, gorgonzola cream, or even buffalo mozzarella… The recipes emphasize simplicity and the quality of the ingredients. The result is a generous dish reminiscent of the best Italian focaccerie.
Grazie Mille
At Grazie Mille, focaccia takes on the character of a true Italian counter specialty. The spot charms with its simple and generous approach. A perfectly soft dough, a slightly crispy crust, and toppings that showcase the great Italian classics: mortadella, stracciatella, grilled vegetables, pesto, and even Parma ham. Each focaccia is prepared with carefully selected ingredients, resulting in a dish that’s both indulgent and authentic. It’s the perfect spot for a quick lunch that feels like taking a break at a small Italian focacceria.
La Foca
In Neder-Over-Heembeek, La Foca is one of those small spots that focuses on simplicity… and flawless focaccia. Handcrafted, the dough is soft, slightly crispy, and topped to order with carefully selected Italian ingredients. From classic recipes to more original combinations, each sandwich showcases fresh, generous ingredients, in the true spirit of the neighborhood focaccerie found throughout Italy. A hidden gem just a short distance from the city center, well worth the detour.
Boulengier
A must-visit destination for sourdough bread in Brussels, Boulengier has also built a solid reputation thanks to its focaccias, prepared with the same artisanal precision. Made from a dough that’s been allowed to ferment for a long time and high-quality flours, their focaccia captivates with its light, airy crumb and delicately crisp crust. At lunchtime, it’s topped with fresh, seasonal ingredients that vary depending on daily deliveries, making every visit a new culinary discovery. This spot proves that an excellent bakery can also elevate this great Italian classic.
