BoaBoa Records Café
When you walk into Boaboa Record Café, the first thing that wraps itself around you is the sound. Every inch of the space has been designed with music in mind. As we settled at our table, it felt as if we had stepped into a soft, invisible sound bubble. The vinyl filled the room with warmth, while the conversations from neighboring tables gently faded into the background. It was one of those rare moments where you suddenly realise just how much atmosphere can change the way you experience a place.
Boaboa is more than a café or a restaurant – it is a hybrid social space built around a genuine love for vinyl and high-fidelity listening. Owners Charlie and Benoît didn’t just install a few speakers and call it a day; they collaborated with H.A.N.D. HiFi in Berlin, a company specialised in custom sound systems, to create an audio setup that makes every track sound warm, deep and intentional.
From Monday to Wednesday, the vibe is slightly more laid-back, with album nights. From Thursday onwards, DJs take over, international talents moving from funk into more upbeat rhythms as the evening slowly unfolds.
The food perfectly complements the overall feel of the place. After our meal, we sat down with Cihan, chef at Boaboa Record Café. He described the idea behind both the food and the music as borderless — a word that fits the concept perfectly. Light, daring sharing dishes designed to enhance that cosy, laid-back atmosphere.
Flavours and textures come together in a way that makes every bite feel special. Think salmon ceviche with a creative combination of nam jim and passion fruit, kohlrabi and togarashi (15€). Or delicate bites of vitello tonnato, and gravlax with olives served as small brochettes (4€/p). The menu changes regularly, while the flatbreads (11€ to 13€) remain the star of the show, bringing a taste of Cihan’s hometown of Istanbul to the table.
We also tried the giant chicken schnitzel (24€), given a Belgian twist with samurai sauce, crispy, juicy, and deeply satisfying. To finish on a high note, we shared the chocolate ganache with olive oil and sea salt (8€): decadent, silky, and the perfect way to end the meal.
Boaboa is simply a place with a great vibe. Come for a cocktail at the bar with a friend, or gather around a table with people you love while soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying genuinely good food. It was the perfect way to start the year, and a place I’d happily return to.
Cosy in winter and vibrant in summer, with the windows thrown open and music drifting out onto the terrace, Boaboa feels right no matter the season.
Boaboa Record Café
Rue Vanderkindere 356, 1180 Uccle
Reserve Here
Open
Monday 16h to 23h
Tuesday to Friday 16h to midnight
Saturday 11h to midnight
Sunday 11h to 23h
Kitchen hours:
Monday 18h to 21h30
Tuesday 9h to 17h and 18h to 22h
Wednesday to Friday 18h to 22h
Saturday Brunch 12h to 14h and 18h to 22h
Sunday Brunch 12h to 15h and 18h to 21h30
