Why Brussels? And where would Phil eat!? Not so long ago, while back in a dear city this March, I attended also the event of Phil Rosenthal, host of Somebody feed Phil unscripted travel series. Happy coincidence and a show I mentioned in my travel stories as inspiration a few times, including in Lisbon or Dublin. Now Brussels, next Berlin.

Bruxelles welcomed me back with both sunshine and rain. Walking on its streets, everything felt so familiar, yet somehow different. A few contradictions, yet plenty of chocolates. Visiting without an itinerary, but with an event circled on my calendar from the very first evening. At 19 o’clock we arrived at La Madeleine venue near formidable Grand Places, for Phil Rosenthal 2025 European tour.

Somebody Feed Phil

The event started with a video introduction, followed by the host presenting classic Belgian treats for Phil to try—just like in the show.  Even after living in Brussels for nearly four years, I realized I did not tried myself some of the treats —such as cuberdon. The evening continued with anecdotes behind the scenes from the series filming locations, the new season, few jokes and an open Q&A.

Durig the talk, Phil mentioned that the first show called I’ll have what Phil’s having is now on Youtube, with episodes for example shot in Paris, Italy, Tokio or Barcelona. What I appreciate about that one’s — and of course, his current Netflix seasons of Somebody feed Phil —is the way he presents a travel destination, the local cuisine, and a new culture —with openness, lightness, and genuine joy, often inviting his family or close friends to share the experience.

In the end, I left with a wonderful mix of ideas, a Belgian appetite, and also with the wish to rewatch some favorite episodes to places I have not been yet, as Bangkok and Marrakesh. I also left with a question. Where would Phil eat in Brussels during an hypothetic Belgian episode?

In Phil’s fun style and through the lens of his show, I thought of a few local restaurants, chocolateries and cafés recommendations, were he would eat the best fries or waffles, and what he would see in Brussels if an episode would be filmed here, a city I know so well. Of course the show often highlights also food spots run by people from immigrant backgrounds—celebrating the stories behind. 

Read more about Brussels with chocolate & iconic Brussels Flower Carpet in Grand Place

First, a savory breakfast spot I personally love, and I think would align with his show is Le Pain Quotidien, a bakery – restaurant founded in Belgium in 1990, now in many countries. My favorite location is on Rue Antoine Dansaert. Followed by a stop for a sweet Belgian waffle from Maison Dandoy, where it smells phenomenal, famous also for artisan speculoos biscuits.

Lunch at Les Brigittines – a classic Belgian brasserie and the one I wish I had discovered sooner. Because the show isn’t just about the food, it about being open and exploring cities with joy & curiosity.
Situated between Le Sablon and Place du Jeu de Balle in Marolles, there’s a restaurant I’ve only been recently, even though we had nearby our memorable stagiare masquerade ball.

Most famous and delicious snack aka fries of Brussels are at Maison Antoine, not far from the European Union institutions, with tourists, local and eurocrats waiting in line here. Followed by an early aperitif in either the afternoon market on Wednesdays at fashionable Place du Chatelain, or at Noordzee – Mer du Nord in Place Sainte-Catherine. Maybe both in different days.

Stop by Bozar for a dose of culture—and maybe for surrealism at the René Magritte museum. Dinner after at Chez Leon, at most likely the oldest Belgian restaurant in the city. I think Phil would have moules-frites, for me an iconic national dish, that means “mussels and fries”, and even Stromae has a song named after it. He can also have carbonnade flamande, stew cooked in beer, next to mashed potatoes this time.

Read more about Brussels – The One with Art Deco and Art Nouveau

It wouldn’t be Belgium without Victor Horta’s Art Nouveau and a chocolate-tasting itinerary in Grand Place, inside beautiful Royal Galleries and in Sablon district —from high-end Pierre Marcolini to Godiva and Mary Chocolatier, where even the Belgian royal family shops, or Neuhaus, the inventors of the praline. Try everything. That’s exactly what I did again that week.

Lastly, paying a visit at either the Atomium or the Comic Strip Center before a coffee stop, before continuing to Bruges or Antwerp. Is how I ended this trip, with another highlight at Café Capitale specialty coffee bar, meeting an old friend and talking for hours. About beautiful corners in places I’ve been with details I’ve never noticed, and a city I miss now. Do you have any recommendations to add?

---

Latest stories

• Thinking out loud. Copenhagen 2025August 31, 2025
• Brusssels food tour – Phil editionJune 24, 2025
• June in Camogli PortofinoJune 21, 2025
• From Vienna with MusicMay 30, 2025
• Theater Nights | Berlin editApril 30, 2025