Wandering through the heart of Brussels, we stumbled upon Barracuda one evening – its glow across Flagey Square was impossible to ignore. The warm, decadent interior pulled us in, our faces pressed against the glass like kids at a candy shop, admiring the chic new restaurant. We promised ourselves we’d return – and this time, we’d be on the inside!
Barracuda is the latest venture from the Big Mama Group, who have opened several restaurants across Europe. While we’re not here to advertise for them, it’s worth noting they’ve got a reputation for trendy Italian spots. Naturally, we were curious to see if their latest offering lived up to the hype.
The group’s restaurants tend to lean into a signature style: colourful, lively, and authentic Italian fare with a modern twist. The eclectic, bold interiors make dining a bit of an event, blending good food with a fun, sociable vibe. Barracuda stays true to this approach!
As soon as you step in, you’re transported to another era. The lavish, 1920s-inspired design oozes glamour, making you feel like you’re in for a special night. The massive windows give you a peek at Flagey’s lively energy, and the entrance is guarded by a fierce, porcelain black panther – an unexpected but very cool touch. The interior feels like a scene from an ’80s cult classic – Scarface vibes, anyone? You can almost imagine Tony Montana having a fancy dinner with his entourage. They’ve even got not one but two replicas of his iconic “The World is Yours” statue! Perched above the staircase, these statues feature women holding globe-shaped lamps – don’t miss it (we snapped a picture for the top of the post)!
Now, onto the main event – the food. It’s everything you’d want from a classic Italian menu: pizzas, pastas, burrata, and delicious Italian ham. It’s surprisingly rare to find a Brussels spot offering both pizza and pasta (it’s usually one or the other), so Barracuda already scored points there. We kicked things off with a round of classic mixed starters before diving into the main course: Ragu and Cacio e Pepe pasta. The flavours were spot on, the quality was high, and it didn’t hurt our wallets—always a win. Oh, and pizza for under €20 in Brussels? Yes, please! We finished with soft-serve ice cream for dessert – Jesse was over the moon.
The service? Charming and full of personality. The staff were lively, speaking Italian, and offering genuine advice, which added to the authenticity. That said, you could tell the restaurant was still finding its feet. The plastic-wrapped menus and QR codes felt a bit out of place against the otherwise sophisticated decor, and some of the tables were uncomfortably close to one another, making it tricky to enjoy a private conversation. We hope this is just a symptom of the opening weeks, with the place booked out and buzzing with excitement:
Right now, it’s the place to be in town, and reservations are booked out about a month in advance. But honestly, we get it – it’s worth the wait.
Can’t snag a table? Don’t fret! We’ve got plenty more restaurant gems featured on our blog, so you’ll never run out of delicious options in Brussels.
