Certo is Federico Mazzoni's love letter to Rome, tucked away on Rue Longue Vie in the heart of Saint-Boniface. It's part wine bar, part trattoria, part Italian deli — and somehow it works as all three at once. You'll come for a glass of natural wine and end up staying for the cacio e pepe, which is legitimately some of the best pasta in Brussels.
A Roman chef serving flawless cacio e pepe and arguably Brussels' best natural wine list, all day long on rue Longue Vie.
Book ahead for dinner — the dining room is tiny and fills up fast. Note they're only open Monday evening through Friday, no weekend service.
A slice of Rome in Ixelles, with arguably Brussels' best natural wine list
Certo doesn't try to be everything to everyone, and that's exactly why it works. Federico Mazzoni, a Roman through and through, has created a spot that feels like a little piece of Italy dropped onto Rue Longue Vie. The concept is beautifully fluid — you can come for a morning coffee, stay for lunch, pop in for an afternoon glass of natural wine, or settle in for a full dinner. The space is small and intimate, which means it buzzes with energy but never feels cramped. The service is genuinely warm, and you get the sense the staff actually care about what's on your plate and in your glass.
The food is where Certo really shines. The cacio e pepe is the headline act — simple, perfectly executed, and exactly what you'd hope for from someone who grew up eating it in Rome. The calamarata with salsiccia ragù is equally worth ordering, and the Sicilian caponata makes a great starter if you're sharing. Portions are honest, not precious. What elevates the whole experience is the wine list: Federico has assembled what's arguably one of the best natural wine selections in Brussels, with bottles from top producers across Europe. If you're into natural wine, this is a destination.
The main catch? It's small and popular, so you'll want to book ahead, especially for dinner. They're open Monday evening through Friday, which is a slightly unusual schedule — no weekend service. Prices are fair for the quality, though the natural wine list can creep up if you get carried away (and you will). This is the kind of place that makes the Saint-Boniface neighborhood worth coming back to.