Belga & Co — Restaurant in Brussels

We ducked into Belga & Co on a grim, rainy Brussels Saturday. Rue du Bailli gave us shelter. Belga & Co gave us… a good-looking mirage.

Yes, the interiors are stunning, moody chocolate walls, gold ceiling, feature lighting, and a giant mask watching your plant based milk choices. But that’s where the magic ends.

Sticky floors, stained menus, loud music, and zero sound absorption make for a chaotic experience. The seating? Cramped and borderline dangerous. I was perched on a stair-edge seat like a contestant in some caffeine-themed version of saw.

The matcha was essentially green-tinted milk with commitment issues. The lemonade looked great but didn’t land. As for the coffee, it talks a big game, but tasted like something you’d grab at the airport while questioning your life choices.

They claim no laptops on weekends, but enforcement was nonexistent. Belga & Co has the aesthetic, but not the follow-through. Would I return? Only for the lighting and a quiet...

They started this new laptop policy, no laptops on the tables at all. Only on the high chairs (there are only 4 tiny high chairs). I did not see the policy note and I had an hour in between errands. Sat down with my coffee and laptop . The waiter shows up pointing at the high chairs which are all taken. I asked politely if I can just send an email and I was anyway planning to leave within 45 minutes while I finish my coffee. All waiters started shouting no and ordered me to shut down my laptop , I told them they can’t oblige me to shut down my laptop while all high chairs are taken and that I would not consider coming back again, just needed to finish the coffee I PAID for. They started shouting at me saying that I should write to their manager. A really horrible experience, I understand if they want to maintain a laptop free zone but on a weekday before midday you can’t be this strict without offering enough high chairs. Never will set foot...

I usually go there on my way to work. Well, the girl with short blonde hair behind the counter acts rude and speaks in an aggressive tone. She does not even give you enough time to choose, and will stare at you in a weird manner. Today, I went, I wanted black coffee with some almond milk. She asked me, is one drop of milk enough? She literally poured ONE DROP! And then asked if it is enough? And then poured another DROP. I said, maybe a little bit more. I felt like I had to beg for almond milk, and I paid for this? She then poured some more almond milk quite fast which made the coffee spilled on the counter and on the mug as well. I work in customer service, and I find this kind of behaviour utterly appalling. Thank you to the other girl who was very nice and handled the payment in a...