Mumtaz
Mumtaz – British Curry House
Just a stone’s throw away from the busy streets of Matonge, there’s a place that has been quietly serving authentic Indian cuisine for over four decades. Mumtaz first opened its doors in 1982, making it one of the earliest Indian restaurants in the area.
The story behind it is one of family, tradition, and genuine hospitality. Originally from Punjab, Ismail’s family immigrated to England, then to Brussels and brought with them the rich culinary traditions of Northern India. The restaurant was initially run by his uncle for 35 years before Ismail took over in 2018, continuing the legacy with the same dedication and warmth. Some customers have been loyal for over 40 years — a rare and beautiful thing to witness in today's fast-changing dining scene.
Everything at Mumtaz is made fresh in-house: from the yoghurt to the cheese to the bread. The recipes have stayed true to their British Curry House promise, even keeping the same small English lamb producer to preserve that authentic taste. You can feel the pride not just in the food but also in the way Ismail and his wife Sofia run the restaurant. They’re genuinely happy to welcome you, making sure you enjoy your meal and your time with them. It’s this family spirit that also extends to their other restaurant, Taj Mahal in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, where Ismail’s brother holds the reins.
On this particular occasion, we were kindly invited by the owners. I was more than happy to accept — having been a loyal takeaway customer for years, I was curious to finally sit down and experience the restaurant itself. I knew I was in for something good.
I can’t go to an Indian restaurant without having a lassi. These traditional yoghurt-based drinks can be served sweet or salty — and we tried both. Then came the chicken tandoori, served on a sizzling hot plate. The sound, the scent of tandoori spices filling the air... it already felt like a celebration.
Since they wanted us to try as much as possible, they served small portions of their specialties: lamb rogan josh, chicken tikka masala (both bestsellers for good reason), a delightful fish tikka masala, a fiery lamb vindaloo packed with aromas, and a rich scampi jalfrezi, a sweet caramelized sauce with bell peppers and nigella seeds. We also had the chef’s naan, a pillowy bread filled with cheddar cheese and topped with garlic, and coriander.
Every dish was balanced and refined, with just the right spices in the right places. All their meat is halal and many of their dishes are suitable for vegetarian and vegan patrons. If you’re craving the kind of comforting Indian food you find in a good British curry house — this is as close as it gets, this side of the pond.
Mumtaz
Chau. de Wavre 64, 1050 Ixelles
CALL 0479 13 71 71
Open Saturday for lunch and for dinner from 17:30 to 22:00 Tuesday to Sunday.
