Berchem's neighbourhood bubble stems from its glorious stack of addresses. One of which is Daan Guelinckx and Laurens Jasperse's polished Neo-bistro, which champions a modern, creative take on seasonal classics. The produce is consciously sourced, and the harvest is completely seasonal. A no-nonsense tasting menu serves a 5-course plating of BBQ'd langoustine, entrecôte with a healthy portion of triple-cooked fries, and a buttermilk potato mousseline topped with a hint of caviar. It's an intricate menu, toned down by the casual atmosphere of the trendy locals it attracts. 

Serving main dishes, as the name suggests, "en repasse" (literally translated as "to feed again"), flips the small-plate craze upside down. Spit-fired chicken is gloriously tender and soaked in a champagne sauce, and the bavette is so huge that it is designed to be shared by the table. Naturally, the carnivorous feasts are all served with a huge mound of refillable fries. Despite the white tablecloth-topped tables, the two mastermind chefs behind Repasse have created the cosy, homey feeling of eating generously. If you're hungry for seconds, take more. 

For a stomach-hugging bowl of warm ramen broth, topped with jammy soy eggs, kimchi 'pork don' (thinly sliced and sweetly marinated pork), or a miso-covered tempura tofu, head to Apo's. Helmed by Apo Tsuboi, the izakaya bistro is an effortlessly cool Japanese kitchen fused with fresh Belgian influence. A flock of locals gathers for ongiri to-go throughout lunchtime rush hour, and a host of laid-back diners come for a casual dinner in the evening.