Tucked away in the heart of Brussels, Spoonful of India (SOI) is anything but your typical Indian restaurant. As it celebrates its second anniversary, the restaurant is being featured as The Brussels Times’ Restaurant of the Week and for good reason.
Walk into Spoonful of India, and you’ll notice something refreshing: no stereotypical décor. No Bollywood posters. No ornate depictions of elephants or maharajas. Instead, the ambience is subtle, modern, and elegant, with a design language that Indian food doesn’t need props, it stands proudly on its own - a quiet rebellion against clichés, and a celebration of contemporary Indian identity.
Founded by Sangeeta Biswas, an ex-IT consultant and mother of two, Spoonful of India began as a humble home-based catering venture in 2017. Sangeeta began with a small catering service, sharing homemade Indian meals with local families and friends. Encouraged by a wave of glowing reviews, the customers enjoying the authenticity, the freshness and repeat customers, she decided to take the next steps of launching the first Spoonful of India’s dine-in restaurant, teaming up with her husband Ishan. Their goal? To recreate the memories and flavours of their lives in India — not just the food, but the feeling.
“I wanted the menu to feel like a postcard from home with dishes that evoke nostalgia, not just spice. We cook the way we remember eating in India — balanced and real” she shares.
Owner Sangeeta Biswas with husband Ishan
Every dish on the menu is a memory from their own past, crafted to recreate the flavours and feelings of home. The menu spans the subcontinent. There’s the bold, mustard-marinated Sorshe Fish Tikka from Bengal, the tangy Konkani Prawn Curry from India’s western coast, and the hearty Amritsari Chole, a North Indian staple. Southern comfort comes in the form of Veg Kurma, while bestsellers like Butter Chicken and Hyderabadi-style Chicken Bhuna offer familiar, deeply satisfying flavours.
What makes the experience stand out is its seasonal approach. The menu changes throughout the year, introducing new regional dishes, ensuring regulars always have something new to explore, and first-timers get an authentic cross-section of Indian home cooking. And to complement the complexity of these curries, Spoonful of India offers a curated wine pairing - a rarity in Indian dining. Collaborating with local sommeliers, they’ve selected wines that hold up to India’s robust spice palette without overpowering it.
Head Chef Mr Rakesh
The restaurant is gaining well-deserved attention for staying true to its original vision: to serve only authentic Indian dishes, prepared with passion, skill, integrity, and emotion. This is made true by their talented and passionate Head Chef Mr Rakesh whose impressive background in India’s prestigious five-star hotels is reflected in every dish. His deep-rooted passion for Indian gastronomy and his drive to craft a rich, diverse culinary experience elevate the restaurant far beyond the ordinary.
“I’ve been here since day one,” says Chef Rakesh. “This restaurant feels like home because I share the same vision as the owner - to serve truly authentic Indian cuisine, without shortcuts, and with real emotion behind every dish.”
His passion is matched by the team around him. “There’s a strong work culture here and a lot of shared passion in the kitchen,” he adds. “We’re all driven by the same goal: to give our guests a genuine and unforgettable experience.”
One of Spoonful of India’s most loved initiatives is their Wednesday Special Chef’s Thali — a weekly rotating menu that showcases regional dishes from across India. From the spice-laden curries of Maharashtra to the delicate comfort of Telangana, this series has become a discovery favourite among regulars. “India’s regional food is still so underrepresented here,” Sangeeta explains. “This is our way of showcasing and our tribute to the country’s vast diversity, one thali at a time.”It’s a thoughtful, educational, and delicious midweek ritual that keeps locals coming back for more.
Restaurant interior
The warmth of the restaurant is brought to life by its spirited service team, largely composed of Indian students and also from other countries studying in Belgium. Each of them brings not only impeccable service but also a personal connection to the cuisine, bridging the distance from home with every dish served and every guest welcomed. Their warm hospitality, paired with lived experience, adds a genuine layer to the dining journey.
Spoonful of India is more than just a restaurant — it's a heartfelt tribute to true Indian culture and cuisine. It dares to be different in all the right ways: with real recipes, quiet confidence, and a modern take on what it means to be Indian abroad. With its innovative weekly thalis, unwavering commitment to authenticity, and the warm hospitality inspired by the Indian value Athithi Deva Bhava (meaning “The guest is equivalent to God”), it offers a dining experience that’s both personal and exceptional. For its passion, purpose, and originality, Spoonful of India is our Restaurant of the Week.
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