Celebrated table
The story
Stella sits on Brussels’ Chaussée de Charleroi, where a thoughtful approach to vegetarian cooking has taken root. Bassel Abou Facker arrived from Syria as a musician and eventually rescued a white shepherd dog that shares his venue’s name. He launched a modest café near the current address and gradually expanded into the present space. His background informs a straightforward menu designed by Australian chef Sidney Lauwers.
The kitchen builds its daytime offerings around substantial plant-based preparation and careful seasoning. You might start with a toasted bun holding thinly sliced halloumi, grilled zucchini, pistachio arugula pesto, and hot chili honey. Shredded tofu burgers arrive dressed with buffalo sauce and fried onions when the blackboard calls for something heavier. Pastry chef Coline Vercruyssen rounds out the service with cardamom knots, fresh açai bowls, and house-made cookies.
Wide Awake handles the coffee roasting while the room settles into a relaxed Berlin-inspired rhythm. Sunlight fills the compact interior and spills onto the small outdoor terrace during warmer months. Patrons grab simple pastries or sit at the bar to watch the staff prepare morning orders. This steady pace earned the venue a listing in Le Fooding for 2026, recognizing how the founders turned a chance encounter into a reliable neighborhood staple.
Recognition
Location
