In the heart of the Zurenborg area, there’s an amazing square called ‘Dageraadplaats’. It’s a meeting point for everyone who lives in the area and far beyond. It’s always buzzing with activity, and at night a starry sky is lit (you’ll have to see it to believe it!)

The square is completely surrounded by bars and restaurants which all have great qualities – a mediocre bar wouldn’t survive in this critical area- however the ‘king’ of them all would be ‘Het Zeezicht’.

It’s what we Belgians call a classic ‘brown bar’, which means it’s furnished with mirrors, sansevierias and dark wooden tables and paneling. However, the deeper meaning of it is that everybody’s welcome here: from the big group of young hipsters to the older men sitting lonely at a table, deep into thought. This bar is so popular it even has their own cigarette lighters and a bicycle-team!

They serve a wide range of local beers, and also some very tasty snacks (try their Feta Croque Monsieur!). In the summer this bar has a gigantic terrace, which usually spreads out through the night, conquering most of the ‘Dageraadplaats’.

When this bar/restaurant opened about 3 years ago, it was exactly what the neighbourhood needed: a cosy, relaxed, non-smoking place where you can grab a bite, read the newspaper and chat up with friends.

Everyday there’s a new menu with about 5 dishes: a couple of classics, pasta, a vegetarian dish and something oriental. Tasty, honest, not too pricy, almost like how your mother would make it, but with a surprising twist to it! As a late-night snack, you can always grab spaghetti or a fresh bowl of soup.

As for drinks, you’ll have a hard time making your choice: a couple of local beers on tap, as well as a monthly special, great wine and cava. A must-try is ‘roomer’: a flowery liquor that will enlighten your senses. For great karma, drink an organic tea or fruit juice.

The owner always carefully picks the music, a great way to discover new things. He’s even started a graphic novel collection.

This place can be very relaxing as well as really crowded. Either way, I always feel right at home here!

You can find this cozy restaurant right above ‘Het Zeezicht’. They even work closely together. You can’t really make reservations, you just walk in. If there’s no place, you get a teddy bear and can go have a drink in the bar beneath. Whenever your table’s ready, the personnel will come and call your teddy bear ☺.

This restaurant serves good, seasonal, fresh food in large portions. The kitchen is Belgian with an international flair to it. They also treat vegetarians really well with a wide range of choices. The steak with herb butter is to die for! Every weekday, there’s a new special and also a ‘surprise menu’ for the dare devils among you!

This is an ideal place for an informal dinner with friends. The interior has a bit of a messy living room feel to it, but it’s oh so cozy. On sunny days you can go have a seat on the balcony (it seats two people!) or on the terrace of Het Zeezicht (check the Het Zeezicht article) and take your pick from a smaller menu (but no worries, the amazing steak is on it!)

You could call ‘Vertigo’ a real ‘all-round’ bar: Here you can grab breakfast, read the newspaper, meet with friends, drink cocktails at the bar, eat a great burger and best of all: enjoy a free jazzy concert at night.

The bar has a dark, chic yet cozy interior. You almost feel like you’re in New York in the fifties. Take a seat in one of the comfortable chairs and enjoy the live music. I believe I once saw the reincarnation of Jacques Brel here.

Check their website for music events, but I don’t know if you’ll ever see Jacques again… That’s the magic of Vertigo!