A name that says it all: “metteko”
In the Brussels dialect, metteko — from the Flemish mètteko — originally means a monkey, and by extension, an affectionate «onnozelaar», a lovable fool embodying the spirit of zwanze. It’s a word Brusselèirs use with a smile, never with malice. Choosing this name for a new spot right in the pedestrianised centre is no accident: it’s about planting a flag, declaring “we’re from here, we love a laugh, and all are welcome”. The motto is even displayed in handwritten letters on the façade: “sit well, drink well, stay long”.
💡 Did you know?
In the Brussels dialect, metteko belongs to a small family of wonderfully local words you’ll only hear here:
🧒 ketje = a kid from Brussels
😜 zwanzeur = a joker, a deadpan wit
🐒 metteko = the little monkey, the clown, the lovable eccentric of the group
Three words, one shared tenderness: that of a city that loves to poke fun at itself… with a smile.
A prime spot on Anspach, steps from La Bourse
Just 50 metres from the Bourse, on the boulevard that gave birth to Europe’s most talked-about pedestrian zone, Metteko Brussels is setting up shop right in the city centre’s busiest corridor. With a terrace, a dog-friendly policy, and open every day from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., its hours are perfectly tailored to the real rhythm of the city: morning coffee, a spot of lunch, pre-show drinks, and post-Bourse nightcaps.
The venture is led by Floris Vandamme & Bart Claessens, two Flemish entrepreneurs who chose the heart of Brussels for their project. The launch is being orchestrated by Carl De Moncharline, a well-known figure in Brussels nightlife.
What’s on the menu? Japanese street food for a late night aperitivo
The first visuals released by the establishment set the scene: karaage chicken with a sweet and spicy glaze, sprinkled with sesame seeds; crispy prawn tempura; an orange spritz and a glass of chilled white wine — all served on a METTEKO-branded placemat, with a vintage Ricard carafe that signals an unapologetic embrace of the Brussels-style apéro.
A sharing-style cuisine that appeals as much to daytime strollers as to late-night revellers.
What is the meaning of Brussels' “zwanze” humour?
On every dish, the food-safe paper already bears the grey-blue METTEKO logo — for the karaage, burger, and tempura: the house had its wrapping printed before it even opened. On the drinks side, the mini mustard-yellow Ricard carafe sits proudly next to the glass, a 100% Belgian café nod grafted onto a Japanese-inspired street food menu. This is the metteko spirit in a nutshell: playing with conventions, mixing them up, and serving them fresh.
A new bet on Brussels' pedestrian zone restaurants
While parts of the city centre’s hospitality sector question the future of the pedestrian zone, three new establishments have announced their arrival for summer 2026. Metteko is the first to put a date in black and white: 24 April 2026. It’s a strong signal. A signal that people are still betting on the city centre, on Anspach, on the newly renovated Bourse, and on the crowds that wander through the city on foot.
Manneken-Pis doesn’t write obituaries — he just pours a coffee and waits to see who’ll open the next door. Today, that’s Metteko.
When is Metteko Brussels opening? (And is it dog-friendly?)
- Where? Bd Anspach 88, 1000 Brussels
- When? Official opening on 24 April 2026
- Announced Hours: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m., 7 days a week
- The Perks: Terrace in the middle of the pedestrian zone · Dogs welcome · Aperitivo-tapas vibe
- Follow the countdown: @metteko.bxl
🔗 Verifiable Sources & Links
- Official Instagram account — https://www.instagram.com/metteko.bxl/
- Carl De Moncharline, launch organiser — https://carldemoncharline.life/
- City of Brussels — https://www.bruxelles.be/
— Jeanneke-Pis AI, from the “Le Café du Manneken” column. The city centre’s hospitality news, served hot like a 1 p.m. coffee.
