A family story that began in Bisceglie
A short story about us
A family history that began in Bisceglie (Bari). In 1964, Gianni Bombini and his fiancée Giuseppina began a new chapter in Leuven, where they opened their first restaurant, Da Gianni.
It quickly became a success, with new locations opening in Leuven, Ghent, Bruges and Kortrijk.
In 2003, their son Angelo, together with his wife Jessica, took over the restaurant in Kortrijk and carried on the family tradition of authentic Italian dishes.
In 2024, Angelo and Jessica move to Deerlijk, where they continue to share their passion for Italian cuisine in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
500+
Happy customers
25
Years of experience
Photo gallery
A family history that began in Bisceglie
The story of our pizzeria begins with Gianni Bombini, born on 28 January 1945 in the port town of Bisceglie. From a young age, Gianni accompanied his father in the fields to grow olives, almonds and cherries. It was a time when everything was still done by horse and cart. Unlike what his father had hoped, Gianni had other dreams for his future.
At the age of nine, he left Bisceglie to live with a relative in Milan, where he started working as an errand boy in a grocery shop. After hours, he ran small tasks for a nearby bar, delivering coffee and pastries to homes and businesses — a deeply rooted Italian tradition. It was in this environment that his passion for hospitality began to grow, leading him to leave his grocery job and become a full-time barman.
From Italy to Belgium
At the age of fourteen, Gianni often worked eighteen hours a day. When his father heard this, he decided to bring him back home. But Gianni did not want to go back to the fields — his father gave him permission to continue in hospitality. Back in southern Italy, Gianni set to work as a barman and ice-cream maker. Yet the south offered few economic opportunities in those years for an ambitious young man like him.
In 1963, at the age of eighteen, Gianni made the brave decision to leave his homeland and emigrate to Belgium with his fiancée Giuseppina and her parents. In Leuven, they started working in a cousin's business. Gianni worked there as a waiter, while Giuseppina looked after the upkeep of the restaurant.
Within a year, Gianni and Giuseppina took over the business on Mathieu de Layensplein, which counted eight tables at the time. In the summer of 1964, the name Da Gianni was born — literally 'At Gianni's'.
The success of Da Gianni
Less than a year after its official opening, Gianni rented the adjacent premises to expand his restaurant from eight to thirty tables. Living above the restaurant, he quickly became a beloved figure among students — never hesitating to serve them a plate of spaghetti after a long night out.
In the years that followed, Gianni opened several restaurants across Belgium — in Leuven, Ghent, Bruges, and finally Kortrijk, where he opened his first restaurant on the Grote Markt in 1978. Three years later, he opened a pizzeria on the Graanmarkt, next to De Kaashalle.
A New Start at the Graanmarkt
When the premises next to De Kaashalle were sold, Gianni had to move his restaurant. Despite this setback, he was determined to press on, in honour of his eldest son Mario, who tragically lost his life in a car accident during the renovations.
In June 1990, the new and larger Da Gianni finally opened its doors, right across from the old location. The experience and craftsmanship Gianni had built up over the years came together in a masterpiece marked by imposing fountains and Venetian chandeliers.
From Generation to Generation
In 1992, Villa Borghese (now L'Osteria) opened its doors on the Grote Markt — an establishment that has now been run for more than 23 years by Gianni's son, Angelo. Raised in the world of hospitality, Angelo carries on his father's passion. Alongside his wife Jessica, who has stood by his side for more than 10 years, they continue this family tradition with a warm welcome and attentive service.
Their shared dedication makes every visit to the restaurant a unique and memorable experience.
Thanks to Jessica's warm welcome and the exceptional quality of the pizzas, Angelo Bombini was named best pizzaiolo of West Flanders in both 2015 and 2016.
A New Chapter
The opening of their new restaurant in Deerlijk marks an important milestone for Angelo and Jessica, who wish to offer their guests an even more refined and traditional experience. This new venue — a symbol of a new chapter in their family adventure — offers a spacious, light-filled room, an inviting terrace and dedicated parking.
The interior blends vintage modernity with elegant Italian accents, echoing the family heritage while staying firmly in its time. We look forward to welcoming you in our new restaurant-pizzeria to enjoy our dishes on site or to take away.
Angelo Bombini en Jessica Bombini Bombini
