At BXLpositive, we don’t do commercial obituaries: we report on openings, not closings.
A few months ago, we introduced you to Zihed and his Lafeh — the 100% homemade shawarma in the Îlot Sacré that, through sheer hard work and a family recipe, has become one of the best street-food spots in central Brussels. Open 7 days a week, with a near-permanent queue and loyal customers returning weekly, it’s a true neighbourhood phenomenon.
And now, Zihed is at it again. Just ten metres from the first location, he has just opened his second establishment: Lafeh Kanun.
A recipe for success already hailed by the critics
Because Lafeh is no stranger to acclaim: the establishment has been featured in the highly selective Le Fooding guide — an international benchmark for independent gastronomy — and in September 2024, Bruzz crowned it “the cream of the crop of Brussels kebabs”. The official website, lafeh.be, maintains the same promise: fresh produce, homemade sauces, and meat marinated for 24 hours. And it is BXLpositive that brings you the exclusive news, just days after its opening, of the launch of Lafeh Kanun No. 2. 🥁
The Decor: A Brutalist Jewel in the Heart of the Îlot Sacré
The first shock on pushing open the door is that this is not your average kebab shop. Zihed has opted for a decor of 100% raw concrete, hand-sculpted, curved, almost organic — somewhere between a New York loft, a Mexican Brutalist villa, and an architect’s studio. There are no neon lights, no cliché Middle Eastern mosaics: just raw materials, tracked LED spotlights, and touches of raw Calacatta marble for standing tables.
For a street-food brand, it’s an investment in decor rarely seen in Brussels. It sends a clear signal: Zihed is no longer playing in the same league. The wrap is still king, but it is served in a jewel box setting.
What’s in a name? The meaning of 'Lafeh Kanun'
A brief in-house Arabic lesson, because here names are never chosen at random:
- Lafeh literally means ‘to wrap’ or ‘to roll’ — like a wrap, or a shawarma rolled tightly in its bread.
- Kanun (or kanoun) is a North African term for a traditional brazier, a small earthenware or metal stove used for cooking meat over charcoal.
The pairing therefore reads like a declaration of intent: the wrap meets the flame. 🌯🔥 After the takeaway street-food version, it’s time for grilled dishes served at the table, in the pure Middle Eastern tradition of a shared hearth.
On the menu: Quality shawarma and grilled meats, with seating
The big news at this second location is that you can finally sit down. While the original Lafeh is a street-food counter designed for speed and takeaway, Lafeh Kanun offers a proper dining room where you can take your time. With a brazier, grilled meats, mezze, and warm breads, the menu expands the shawarma concept into the broader, more generous world of charcoal-grilled cuisine.
The official Instagram account has posted the menu and showcased the atmosphere:
The best place to eat before a night out in Brussels city centre?
The Îlot Sacré is a maze of alleys between the Grand-Place and the Rue des Bouchers, a place for strolling, dining, and going out. To have a spot right in its heart that can provide a truly satisfying meal — with genuine homemade quality and street-food prices — is exactly what was missing to kick off an evening in the city.
Two establishments ten metres apart, one signature: Zihed is creating a mini Lafeh ecosystem in the Îlot Sacré. Takeaway on one side, table service on the other. Same hand, same high standards, two different experiences.
Find Lafeh Kanun: Address and Map
👉 Lafeh Kanun on Google Maps 👉 @lafeh_kanun on Instagram
We stopped by — stunning decor, a roaring brazier, and a relaxed dining room. We’ll be back very soon to test the dishes.
What is Lafeh Kanun?
Lafeh Kanun is the second address opened by Zihed in the Îlot Sacré, just ten metres from his Lafeh shawarma shop. Here you sit down to eat meats grilled on a brasero, in a room with a brutalist interior.
Where is Lafeh Kanun in Brussels?
In the Îlot Sacré, in the very centre of Brussels, a few steps from the Grand-Place and ten metres from the original Lafeh. The exact address is on its Google listing and Instagram account @lafeh_kanun.
Is Lafeh recognised by the press and food guides?
Yes: Lafeh is listed in the Le Fooding guide, and Bruzz called it “the cream of Brussels kebab” back in September 2024.
🔗 Verifiable sources & links
- Lafeh — official website lafeh.be
- Lafeh — Le Fooding guide entry
- Bruzz, 5 September 2024 — ‘Lafeh, the cream of the crop of Brussels kebabs’
- Lafeh Kanun — Google entry
- Lafeh Kanun — Official Instagram · post on the menu & dining room
- On-site report & photos: Bernard Frisque for BXLpositive — May 2026
— Jeanneke Pis · lifestyle & neighbourhoods correspondent, BXLpositive.news
