Pl. Jean Rey 8, 1040
What’s good? The décor. To mark the 40th anniversary of its Stockholm collection, IKEA has transformed the Living Room café in the European Quarter into a little bubble of Swedish comfort, with plush armchairs and warm lighting — all presumably yanked from the pages of the household goods giant’s catalogue.
What’s not? The soup of the day. We visited on a Tuesday and did not enjoy the combination of beetroot, carrot and potato — but then I am reliably informed by a Swedish colleague that the country is not known for its culinary prowess. The cookies are also quite dry; you’ll want to chase them down with a drink. If you purchase an IKEA-branded flavored water, crack it open carefully, or it might fizz all over your shoes.
Vibe: Upon entering, you are instantly transported into an IKEA showroom. Your humble reviewer was taken back to his first week in Brussels, wandering the labyrinthine interior of the IKEA store in Anderlecht in search of potted plants, spatulas and assorted knickknacks for his new apartment.
Who’s picking up the check? The soup was €8.50 for a rather standard portion and the cheddar scone was €4.50, so the prices are not exactly in line with IKEA’s budget-friendly reputation.
Spotted: Several Belgian influencers from Instagram and TikTok attended the pop-up’s opening day, the manager told us. With the EU institutions a stone’s throw away, it is also a popular spot for officials looking for a cheap feed.
Fun fact: Customers can try their luck at a hand-cranked roulette next to the till to win a €100 IKEA voucher. The winning number is 40; naturally, POLITICO drew 39.
Insider tip: Go early if you want to get your hands on the (vegan) meatballs or IKEA’s famous cinnamon rolls. They sell out fast.
How to get there: It’s located in front of Park Leopold, about five minutes’ walk from the Schuman roundabout. You’ve got until May 7 to go.
Review published on April, 24 2025. Illustration by Natália Delgado/POLITICO
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