While doing beer tasting in Brugge met a couple from Brussels who recommended this place as truly authentic experience. The recommendation didn't disappoint. They have very friendly staff and people that know how to pair wines with dishes. For starters, we got sweetbread with butter which was out of this world. I personally am a huge fan of meat organs especially when it's prepared so well. They have a nice patio in the back and very inviting atmosphere. If I'm ever in Brussels again, I know where I'm making my dinner reservation. read more

The best, most unique dining experience we had in Brussels! It's a 15 minute walk NW from La Grand-Place de Bruxelles. Once you've entered Place St. Catherine, you're completely out of the main tourist district which is nice if you want something more authentic as opposed to overpriced and themepark-like. Viva M'Boma is small, clean and has an understated elegance in its simplicity. It's apparent once you see the menu that you are there to experience something you wouldn't normally get at most places that label themselves food-centric (they specialize in organs). Not only is the menu eclectic; they deliver hard core with flavors that are savory, intense and exquisite. For the starter we had Kirr with cassis as an aperitif that accompanied an order of pan-seared calf's brain in a beef boullion with onion and garlic, and a fois gras in a very traditional presentation. Both were outstanding and a good prelude of what was to come. We placed the second order once we finished our starters so that we could carefully select the next delicious offering as there were so many awesome things to choose from. I was tempted by the Pot-au-feu, essentially a stew of beef cheeks, oxtail and marrow, but was swayed by the waitress to the solomillo of horse, cooked blue and with a glass of St. Emilion. Yep, it was incredible! The meat was cooked expertly and the pairing showed of a true professional. My better half had veal cheeks that were stewed in beer and fell apart when you so much as touched them with the fork. This dish exploded with flavor and left us wanting to lick the plate after it was done. We finished the evening off with a house-made speculoos ice-cream (gingerbread) and caramelized apples... Pretty F'n awesome! We really enjoyed the experience, hospitality and knowledge of this establishment. We never felt rushed and all our questions were answered kindly and consummately. If you are in Brussels and are looking for something truly special, masterfully prepared and unlike anything you normally indulge in, please visit this place and stay away from Rue des Bouchers. read more

See all

My husband and I now refer to Viva M'Boma as "the meat place in Brussels". We were on a short stay in Brussels and decided on this venue based on the fact that a) they accept credit card, b) we love trying new foods, and c) it was near the other places to visit. We made no reservation on a weeknight in January and were quickly seated near the kitchen (we wanted to get away from the door to avoid brisk air and to hopefully see some cooking action). The staff were multilingual, as with most folks in Brussels (I feel like a failure), so we had no trouble ordering in English. They had a hand-written chalkboard specials menu in various languages. The husband and I ordered the udder carpaccio (off the specials) and calf brain to start. They were both SO delicious, but you do need to get over the mental fact of what you're eating. The way the chefs were able to coax a hearty flavor out of the sauces is insane. The textures are a struggle (combined with the mental side of it), but otherwise I'd eat both dishes again. For mains (don't say 'entree' because nobody understands you, silly Americans), we ordered horse fillet and choesels (off the specials). My horse fillet was AMAZING. We're from Texas, so I'd like to say we have pretty high standards for a tender cut of meat, but boy were we impressed! Again, the sauces brought everything home, and I could've eaten another serving. My husband enjoyed the choesels, which was pretty much everything edible inside an animal served in a stew-like fashion. Some reviews say they don't have vegetables, but that's only half true. I came fully expecting not a single lick of food that never came out of the dirt, but the sides were vegetables. This seems like a silly thing to mention, but I didn't want to scare anybody from trying this place. I get it, as a traveler, fiber and nutritional intake is key! We still deserve a balanced meal and regular bodily functions! Staff were all great and very accommodating. They stayed a bit late for us as we quickly finished our meals, so I would definitely say come give Viva M'Boma a try! read more

huge food portion with reasonable price. Local and traditional food, very tasty and unique. They accidentally sent me a bowl of fries that I didn't order and they just gave to me. And it is the best fries I had in Belgium! So good! I cannot stop eating it even I was too full already. read more

We had the best brain here :-) this restaurant offers cooking using animal parts, liver, kidney, brain, pork head. We had brain as starter and it's exquisite. Liver is good too. read more

See all

Wonderful place we found when looking for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon. It's quite near the Grand Place, but far enough away to be a good mix of Belgians and visitors. The food was delicious! I had steak tartare, and my had sweetbreads in a mustard sauce, both were dishes we'd order again. They each came with some of the best fries we've had in Brussels, and we added a carafe of the house Rose wine to top off the ideal lunch. Dessert looked delicious, but we skipped because we were stuffed. The prices were very affordable, with great service and we'd happily come here again when in Brussels. Highly recommended for lunch, but I'm sure dinner is delicious as well. On Sunday's when so many places are closed - as well as every other day of the week remember this little hidden gem. read more

Very good Belgian restaurant. I highly recommend. I had a standard steak and bone marrow with a side of frits. Diverse menu that will challenge Americans to go out of their norms; horse, veal kidney, sweetbread, hearts and tongue. All delicious. Good wine selection and quality beer selection. Nice decor as well! read more

Viva M'Boma - My steak. I cannot remember the name of the dish, but it was a "suggestion" or a chef's special that day. - Belgian Near Me - Brussels, BRU

See all

Just lovely! Affordable and simply amazing food. Vioux a vent woodzouri was amazing! Ice cream apple Carmelites were to die for. Looking forward to heading back one day! read more

Went with a group and their service wasn't ready for such a crowd. Only got to choose from two plates and they were only meat. Their beer was good though! Wouldn't go again. Nice interior, however. read more

Be aware, this is a carnivores' heaven! Only meat on the menu and, moreover, a very traditional (even extremely rare) choice of different parts of animals to taste (brains, tongues etc.). I'm not a big fan of meat but was able to find something classical, but not scary, to eat. To be fair, it tasted very good. But won't repeat the experience :-) read more

This place is like an exotic meats specialist. In addition to the usual meats, you can find brain (sounds gross, but supposedly good...I didn't have to courage to try this time), tongue and liver on the menu. The prices are reasonable and they have a nice terrace out the back. Definitely worth a try! read more

So good. Quant little restaurant in the Rue de Flander part of Brussels. To straight to it, this place serves all of the parts of an animal that would scare you but if you like veal, heart, liver, kidneys, fois gras, etc., then you'd love this place. Even if these things typically scare you, the way everything is prepared is unbelievably tasty and great flavor. I got the veal cheek and it was so tender and falling apart in a stew with endives. My wife got the Doe steak and it was fabulous. We got our meals with their famous Belgian fries. Great wine and beer selections and awesome service. Our waitress helped us with everything and explained things very well. If definitely come back. read more

Love this tiny little place, with its white tiles and friendly service. I didn't have a reservation on a Saturday night, so I had to wait a while, but once I was in I was greatly accommodated. The food was delicious - escargots on potatoes with garlic sauce, and the half a pig's head was delectable. The mashed potatoes are a work of art, too - so delicious. read more

Exciting, amazing and incredible! The half tete of porchelette was absolutely delicious. I shouldn't have had the three marrow bones to start with, but I couldn't help myself. The staff are energetic and knowledgeable. A wonderful experience. read more

Food was absolutely excellent and servers were very friendly. My family ordered beef stew, beef tartare, marrow, and fois gras, and fur dessert creme brulé. The meat in the Beef stew was so tender. The tartare was amazing, filled with capers and came with unbelievable frites. This restaurant had an unbelievable menu with different types of livers, cow brain, etc, but does not have many options for vegetarians. read more

We came here invited by a friend without knowing it was specialized in intestines. Pig head, brains, heart, tung etc. I am not a fan of intestines, but if you are, this is the place to go, beutiful decore, nice staff, great location in a beutiful area, well prepared food etc. read more