Ratz Food Market in Ixelles: the new street food spot that's already generating buzz 🐀🍜

Updated March 24, 2026 by Pierre

Brussels loves food markets. After Wolf or Fox, I thought I'd already seen quite a few concepts… but Ratz Food Market That definitely surprised me. 😮

Situated Saint-Boniface street in Ixelles(a stone's throw from Yamato et Hana (which we've already shown you…) right in the heart of an already vibrant neighborhood, this new space promises a rather different experience from what we're used to in the city. And honestly, upon discovering the place and seeing the first images, I felt like I'd stepped into another world.

Spoiler alert: it's not just a simple food hall, we'll give you all the details in this article.

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A former parking lot transformed into a street food temple 🚗➡️🍢

Hard to imagine, but Ratz occupies a former parking lot of 3,000 m² Completely transformed into a gastronomic and cultural space… making it the largest food market in Belgium

The result? A vast urban playground where you can:

• manger de la street food from around the world
• Having a drink with friends
• The top floor is dedicated to culture
• Attend a screening in a 60-seat cinema
• discover exhibitions or a vintage market

In short, a hybrid place that blends restaurant, bar, culture and nightlife in the same space.

This kind of concept works well in Brussels: people come in groups, everyone takes what they want, and everyone's happy. 😉

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14 cuisines from around the world in one place 🌍🍜

The heart of the project remains, of course, food.

Ratz gathers approximately 14 food stalls, primarily inspired by kitchens Asians and the Middle East.

Among the announced concepts are, for example:

• Vietnamese Bánh mì Bánh Mì & Co
• Asian bao buns : OINK – Baos & More
• Korean cuisine : GOCHU Korean Kitchen
• Thai street food : BAAN KAÏ
• Chinese dim sum Red Lantern
• Hummus and falafels Hummus Falafel
• Levantine grilled chicken Farouj – Grilled Chicken
• Middle Eastern Arayes : Arayes
• Levantine grilled pockets SAJ
• Chickpea dips / mezze : DARE YOU
• Japanese Sandos Tonka – Japanese Sando
• Smash burgers Scrap – Smash Burgers
• Coffee & pastries Kawa Club
• Italian street food Casa Leone

Each stand offers its own concept, often created specifically for the location.

What I like about this kind of place: you can taste a little bit of everything.
A bao, a sando, a falafel… and finish with dessert. 😋

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A place that's not just about food 🎭

What makes Ratz really different is that it's not just a food market.

The venue also includes:

• un intimate cinema with approximately 60 seats
• un comedy club
• des cultural events
• un vintage market
• spaces for exhibitions or concerts

Basically, we can eat, laugh, see a show and hunt for vintage items all in the same evening.

I love these kinds of places where you come for a drink… and end up staying all evening. 😅

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A raw and immersive atmosphere 🧱🎶

The founders (already behind other food projects in Brussels) wanted to create something more raw and immersive.

The decor therefore plays a significant role in:

• béton brut
• stylized alleyways
• Highly stylized booths
• urban bazaar atmosphere

The whole thing gives the impression of a a somewhat chaotic, somewhat underground street food market, but very lively.

And frankly, it's a welcome change from the overly clean food courts in shopping malls.

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A project that was already generating buzz before it even opened 🐀

If the name Ratz If it sounds familiar, that's no coincidence.

Even before the opening, some Rat stickers had appeared all over Brussels, in a rather intriguing guerrilla marketing campaign.

The result: a lot of curiosity… and a fairly successful buzz.

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My opinion (and why I want to go back)

What I liked about this place:

✔ The very lively atmosphere
✔ the food + culture mix
✔ the diversity of cuisines
✔ the energy of the Saint-Boniface district

What I liked less:

• Sometimes a little noisy
• If two people are going to eat together… one stays at the table alone while the other goes to order… and that can take a while…
• Some stands/tables can get very crowded quickly.

But honestly, This is exactly the kind of place that Brussels was still lacking..

A perfect spot for:

• an after-work drink 🍹
• a dinner with friends 🍜
• or the beginning of an evening before going out.

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(I.e. Ratz Food Market
25 Saint-Boniface Street
1050 Ixelles