Discover the Best Organic Belgian Pizza at Nona in Brussels

2023-08-26 19:21:00

Gastronomy is changing. Traditional French cuisine is losing ground with the younger generations in favor of tapas, mixed salads and other poke bowls. There is however a specialty that resists over time, it is pizza. Just look at the number of restaurants open almost everywhere with names reminiscent of the Peninsula to understand that this dish remains unifying, no doubt because it is both nutritious and within reach of all budgets.

Since 2017, the Nona has been located rue Sainte-Catherine, in the center of the capital. We say “the” Nona, because it has nothing to do with the Italian Nonna (the grandmother). The word here comes from no name, its designer, Sebastian Dupont, having preferred to highlight his suppliers than his own person.

Indeed, the originality of the Nona concept is that many of the products are Belgian and/or organic. For example, vegetables from the World of a Thousand Colors by Dries Delanote, in Ypres. But also the Bufflardenne buffalo mozzarella, from Patrick Cornelissen, near Neufchâteau. Or the well-hopped beers from the De Ranke brewery, produced by Nino Bacelle in Dottignies. Because, yes, just like in Naples, the most suitable drink to accompany a pizza is… beer!

On the menu, not a huge choice, as in all traditional Neapolitan pizzerias. To begin with, the only two pizzas recognized by the AVPN label (Verace pizza napoletana) whose mission is to promote and protect, in Italy and around the world, the real Neapolitan pizza. Namely the simplest, the Marinara (€8.90): nothing but tomato, oregano, garlic, a little basil and, of course, extra virgin olive oil. No seafood in the preparation, the term marinara referring to sailors – often penniless – for whom it was the pittance. Simple but rich in flavors…

The other is the Margherita, so named in honor of Queen Margaret of Savoy during her visit to Naples in 1889, this creation recalling the flag of the then very young Italian nation, with the green of the basil, the white of the mozzarella and the red of the tomato… This version is offered here at €10.90 with mozzarella fior di latte (cow) and at €14.90 with genuine Buffalo mozzarella.

A simple room for quick service. ©GDM

Alongside this, let’s mention the From Dries with love (€13.50), with vegetables of the moment, or, even the spicy Italy’s Tippy-Toe (€14.90), embellished with ‘n duja Calabrian, a kind of spicy rillette.

As an accompaniment, alongside some organic wines, you will find the well-hopped beers of the De Ranke brewery.

What to eat at any time without breaking the bank. Because another advantage of Nona is to serve every day from midday to late evening without interruption.

Building on its success, the brand now has two other locations in Mérode and Flagey.