Vibe: With its rustic decor and warm ambiance, the restaurant provides an inviting and rather casual atmosphere. A bit out of place but endearing: The green curtains with a football pattern on them, clearly a remnant of the 2024 European Championship.
Who’s picking up the check? Anyone with cash or bancontact. They don’t accept credit cards and as we didn’t want to look for a bank in the cold we ended up having to transfer money on the spot. Prices are pretty reasonable too. Starters range from €1.50 to €9 and main dishes go up to €24.
Spotted: A bunch of Colombians celebrating a birthday party with the song “Que Dios Te Bendiga” by Peter Manjarrés playing on the screens. Otherwise this restaurant is so far from the EU bubble, it is the perfect place if you want to avoid running into somebody you work with.
Insider tip: La Fonda opens its doors only three days a week, from Friday to Sunday.
How to get there: Located five minutes walk away from De Brouckère and Place Sainte-Catherine, La Fonda is easily accessible both by foot and public transport.
Review published on February 20, 2025. Illustration by Natália Delgado/POLITICO.