— Aperitivo · 3 min read
Italian-style tapas: the art of sharing in Charleroi
Published · Updated
Italian tapas have found a home in Charleroi. At Il Magi, we love small plates set in the middle of the table for everyone to dip into. Here is the spirit of Italian sharing, and how to put your table together.
Sharing, an old Italian habit
"Tapas" is a Spanish word, but Italy has its own small-bite traditions. In Venice they are called cicchetti, little portions nibbled at the bar with a glass of wine. Elsewhere you will hear of stuzzichini, the snacks that come with an aperitivo, that early-evening ritual of meeting friends over a drink.
The idea never changes: nobody orders their own plate. You share, and the conversation matters as much as the food.
Three price levels
Our tapas menu is organised by price, which makes ordering easy.
Tapas at €7
The essentials: Ricotta e miele (€7), Polpettine al sugo (€7) meatballs in homemade tomato sauce, Bruschettina, mozzarella fritters, Caprese mini and parmesan soufflé.
Tapas at €9
A little richer: Stracciatella et pistaches (€9), Parme et buffala, Polenta al parmigiano, Pasta al forno and Mini pizze (€9).
Tapas at €12
Bolder flavours: gratinated sardines with lemon (€12), fried baby octopus, grilled octopus salad, and the truffle focaccia with stracciatella and mortadella (€12).
Sharing boards for two
Rather let us choose? Our boards are designed for two people:
- La planche Italiana (€28): Parma ham, salami, mortadella, parmesan, olives, grilled focaccia.
- La planche Calda (€26): a selection of hot bites.
- La planche Formaggi (€24): four Italian cheeses with honey, walnuts and grapes.
- La planche Mare (€28): fried calamari, octopus salad, grilled and fried scampi.
- La planche Il Magi (€34): the most complete of all.
How many should you order?
There is no strict rule. For a light aperitivo, start with a few plates and a board, then add more as the evening goes on. For a full meal, mix all three price levels, add a board and keep room for dessert. Balance fresh, crispy and bold flavours, and ask our team for advice.
Vegetarian tapas
Many tapas are marked vegetarian on our menu: Ricotta e miele, Bruschettina, courgette and mozzarella fritters, Caprese mini, parmesan soufflé, stracciatella with pistachios, polenta and pasta al forno.
What to drink
An aperitivo calls for a spritz: the Aperol Spritz (€11), Hugo or Limoncello Spritz. Prosecco by the glass (€7) is another safe bet, and several wines by the glass work well, such as Vermentino (glass €7 · bottle €32) with seafood tapas. Alcohol-free? Read our guide to mocktails at Il Magi.
Book your sharing table
Small plates, boards for two, spritz or mocktail: our Italian tapas in Charleroi are made for evenings with friends. Browse the menu, read about Il Magi's cooking and book your table.
Frequently asked questions
What are Italian tapas?
They are small plates for sharing, in the spirit of Venetian cicchetti and the Italian aperitivo. At Il Magi you will find meatballs in tomato sauce, bruschettina, stracciatella with pistachios or fried baby octopus, priced at €7, €9 or €12 depending on the recipe.
How many tapas should two people order?
It depends on your appetite. For an aperitivo, a few plates are often enough to start, and you can always order more. For a full meal, mix the three price levels or add one of our boards designed for two. Our team is happy to advise you at the table.
Can I come to Il Magi just for an aperitivo?
Our tapas and boards are designed for sharing and aperitivo moments. To be sure of a table, especially at weekends, the simplest option is to book ahead or contact the restaurant to check availability for the time you would like to come.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Yes. Several tapas are vegetarian on our menu: ricotta with honey, bruschettina, courgette and mozzarella fritters, mini caprese, parmesan soufflé, stracciatella with pistachios, polenta with parmesan and pasta al forno. The Formaggi cheese board is also a good choice for cheese lovers.
Related articles
← Back to the journal
Aperitivo· 2 min read
Mocktails: alcohol-free dolce vita at Il Magi
Fruity, fresh, bitter or savoury: our ten house mocktails, Italian alcohol-free aperitifs and food pairing ideas.
Read the article →
Cucina· 4 min read
Italian restaurant in Charleroi: Il Magi's cooking, from antipasto to dolce
Antipasti, primi, secondi, dolci: how a proper Italian meal unfolds, course by course, told through the Il Magi menu in Montignies-sur-Sambre.
Read the article →
Tradizioni· 3 min read
Which wine with pizza, pasta or fish? A guide to Italian food and wine pairing
Tomato, cheese, seafood, grilled meat: a few simple principles for choosing the right wine, with real examples from our wine list.
Read the article →