Bars & cafes – All our local tips

Another one of those typical places (and it’s vegetarian!) which are always pretty packed because the food they serve is very very good!

The list of quiches is never-ending and they are always served with salad and bread. If you can’t decide which one to eat, just go by the counter and check them out. Just be careful, if you pass in front of the cakes fridge you will not be able to avoid ordering a big piece of one of them. The strawberry one it’s just fantastic. If you can’t live without them, you can also order them take away!

There’s a good choice of beers (Hoegaarden served with lemon slice, just the way I like it) and tasty freshly squeezed orange juice.

The staff is always rushing but gentle, they will always find you a place! Sit at the ground floor or the terrace: service is definitely better there!

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Arcadi | Bars, Restaurants (Vegetarian) | Quiche € 7.50
Rue d’Arenberg 1B | Center | +3225113343
Open daily

Together with Gecko (see this article) this cosy place is definitely one of my favorite bars in Brussels.

In wintertime or during rainy days you can admire the wooden interior and mirrored walls. Music is always good, and the volume is often limited so you still can have a decent conversation with your friends.

In summertime, if the weather permits, you also can sit outside at the lovely terrace. Since it’s located in a pedestrian area you’re not attacked by exhaust fumes, making it an ideal spot to relax, read a book or to do some people-watching while you are sipping your cocktail.

Coke lovers, be warned, you won’t find any Coca or Pepsi in here. Other softdrinks are present, a wide range of beers as well. Cherry beer lovers, surprise yourself and ask the waiter if they have the special acid one.

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Au Soleil | Bars, Snacks
Rue du Marché au Charbon 86 | Center | +3225123430
Sun – Thu 10:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 10:00 – 02:00

Well, OK, let’s make it official: Sundays are an issue.

You were working the whole week, waiting for a nice week-end.

But of course, Friday night finds you knackered so you better stay home.
Saturday: you’re busy doing the shopping, and then again to exhausted to go out.
Finally on Sunday you feel full of energy, you feel like the king of the city, but then… you find yourself with this ultimate question: “what the hell can I do on a Sunday?

In the series of “What to do on Sunday?”, let’s discover Bar du Marché.

I love it, as simple as that. The bar is nice, the staff is fun, the other customers are friendly, and you will receive some nuts with your fresh drink.

On Sundays, it’s “Jazzette”: a jazz band will swing your afternoon. My ultimate pleasure is to have a nice cinnamon tea, waiting for some friends, having a chat with some people around (well my male friends use to say that they’re making a move, but whatever). It’s the best way to finish the w-e.

Almost perfect? Well, I still must warn you about the same bar at nights… it’s not the same atmosphere; but a bit more decadent.

It could be appreciated by some of you (I don’t judge), but it’s not the place to chill out at night. If I compare it with literature, I would say that the bar is Dr Jekyll at daytime, and Mr. Hyde at night. You’ll find good reasons to visit one or another…

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Bar du Marché | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music
Rue Alphonse de Witte, 12 | Ixelles
09:00 – 02:00 daily

This is the latest bar from the people who designed and run the popular cafe Belga in Place Flagey and Walvis (check the cafe Walvis article) in rue Danseart.

With its interior inspired by Brussels’ art deco heritage, this beautifully designed bar attracts a fashionable yet laid-back crowd. And though it seems popular enough, it never seems overly crowded – one advantage of its location a little bit out of the way where the St. Gilles and Uccle quartiers meet.

The interior features wooden panelled walls, curvy lines and a spacious feel, whilst the large terrace is perfect for summer afternoons in the sun. The bar serves a good selection of Belgian beers, quality wines and freshly-made classic cocktails, plus some snacks. There are DJs and live music at the weekends. Perfect for soaking up some Belgian café culture.

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Bar du matin | Bars
Chaussée d’Alsemberg, 172 | The South
08.00 till late daily

The Beursschouwburg is a large arts centre in the middle of town, showing contemporary theatre, dance and exhibitions.

The café, or rather Kafee for its Flemish, is on the ground floor, though it has the feel of a cellar-bar, with its exposed-brick walls, lack of windows and tressle tables. It hosts film showings, talks, musical performances and other cultural happenings – normally they are free you just need to buy drinks.

Well worth checking out is the regular shortescape night which screens short films – normally on the first Wednesday/Thursday of each month.

In summer the roof terrace opens up. After the trek up four floors you get to enjoy a great view over the city. They also show films up here on a big outdoor screen.

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Beurskafee | Art & culture, Bars, Cinemas, Music, Theaters
A. Ortsstraat, 20 – 28 | Center | +32025500350
19:00 – 00:00 daily

With music memorabilia lining the walls and a vintage jukebox cranking out classic blues and rock, owner Eddie made his own bit of heaven on Earth dedicated to his two great passions. Course you won’t see him getting excited about it, he’s not the most animated of guys.

Depending on your outlook, the bar is either a bit scruffy or full of character. The toilets are certainly not for the faint-hearted – if you visit you’ll see what I mean.

They occasionally cram a live band inside. Outside there’s a terrace where there’s usually more space on the terrace here than in nearby St Gery.

It stocks a good range of drinks, including the excellent Zinnebir and Taras Boulba – two excellent local brews made by the Brasserie de la Senne, a fairly new brewery that uses traditional brewing techniques and organic ingredients. If they have any in, it’s also worth trying are the Peké – a local spirit which comes in a range of fruit flavours and is similar to the French Genepe – you’ll be wobbling after a few.

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Booze ‘n’ Blues | Bars
Rue des Riches Claires, 20 | Center | +3225139333
16:00 till late, can be a bit erratic

The Botanique is the greenest place in the centre of Brussels. A variety of flowers, plants and trees decorate this spacious garden. There is even a little lake and a labyrinth of bushes for you to get quiet and inhale a little piece of paradise.

This small patch of bliss lies between a major four lane traffic road which makes the opposition nature versus construction even more apparent. Still, wandering there makes you forget the stressed out people caught there in traffic. The whole park is built on a steep hill, there are entrances to it at various places.

You’ll see a lot of families having a pick nick on the grass, couples romantically sitting near rose bushes or joggers going up and down the hill. There is even a small herbal patch with some medicinal plants like for instance Echinacea.

When the Botanique was built it was a major scientific research temple with a very large variety of exotic plants, flowers and trees. To acquire money for maintenance they used to sell vegetables and other crops from the garden. At this place they created Belgian endive.

At present times the Botanique serves as a known cultural venue. It has different concert halls, exposition rooms and a museum. There is also a large bar and restaurant with a splendid terrace from where you have an amazing view of the botanical garden. They serve great lunches and dinner. The expositions held there are open from twelve until eight.

Their concert programming is worth checking out and during `Les nuits Botanique’ large crowds gather there to see indoor and outdoor concerts from a large variety of groups.

Unfortunately the park closes at five but the cafe and concerts continue until two or three. In the weekends this place is a good way to spend your night out.

For good photographic expositions and interesting concerts go check it out!

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Botanique | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Relaxing
Entrance Koningsstraat 236 | Center | +3222183732
10:00 – 18:00 daily

Café Centrale is just off Place St Gery and a favourite amongst arty students and those who still want to be arty students. The clientele is fashionable without trying, a bit scruffy and/or eccentric; the staff even more so – they’re cooler than you’ll ever be – though they still seem to find time to pull the odd pint in between their assorted film shoots, DJ slots and modelling assignments.

There’s a small terrace on the street and plenty of seating inside with the bar’s modernist wooden interior, subdued lighting and soundtrack combining to create a mellow ambience early on which gets more lively as the night goes on.

It gets busy most nights, and especially at the weekend, though the crowds tend to arrive late. With DJs and live performances, there’s an eclectic mix of music that turns more electro as the small dancefloor gets going. Generally, it’s a good place to go if you fancy a boogie but don’t want to go to a club.

The bar is well-stocked and reasonably priced for this area, though it can take a while to get served.

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Café Centrale | Bars
Borgval, 14 | Center
12:00 – till late, daily

A nice bar where it is really wonderful to sit quietly on the weekend. It is a fairly small bar in the centre. It has a large terrace that is heated in Winter. It is located near the trendy bars in Brussels not far from the Bourse. There are four bars situated across one another, each bar stands on a corner. These are expensive, exquisitely decorated spots for lounging but in my view, what these bars flash in style, they lack in heart.

The one I really like is a little bit further from these popular places that cater mostly to expats or people from the French-speaking community. The atmosphere is much more quiet and relaxed than the aforementioned bars. I especially like the black coloured facade and the wooden chairs and tables. You can sit on the heated terrace for hours talking and watching people going to the previous mentioned upscale places.

There is an eighteenth century church in front where you will regularly see tourists looking up in amazement. The service is quick because most people go to the other bars. You can have salads or a main course and they have a large selection of cocktails that I haven’t found anywhere else. Inside there is a small bar and a roomier setting where there are some tables. Sitting on the terrace will be more rewarding though. It is basically a no nonsense and a preciously low key establishment. But sitting there will give pause and bring the desired peace of mind.

Most people will find themselves sitting there for hours, immersed in philosophical discussions contemplating the state of worldly affairs or reminiscing moments long since passed and mutual memories. This place takes your brain on a trip to larger ways of experiencing life. Maybe it’s because of the history of this location or because it is a truly tranquil place in the hectic centre of Brussels.

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Café Gecko | Bars, Restaurants (Fusion) | Menu € 9.00
Place Saint-Géry 16 | Center | +3225022999
12:00 – 01:00 daily

A cinema theatre that offers you fresh independent productions is Cinema Nova. It brings an alternative, artistic and limit surpassing cinema experience.

Via plastic transparent curtains you enter into a brick wall hall way with stairs going to the cinema’s bar. This bar stays true to cinema Nova’s alternative side by offering not too common beverages at cheap prices. I recommend tasting their pear juice.

Sometimes, depends on the people working and the activities scheduled, you can also have dinner in a tranquil family like camping setting. Actually being there reminds you of being at an indoor camping site with various people hanging around in couches, having discussions at tables or performers singing or playing music.

Even if you don’t see a movie there it is worth your while to check out this laid back environment. It has something to do with the building and the reputation cinema Nova upholds. The public there can be described as a mixture of photographers, filmmakers, artists, philosophers and social engineers of various ages.

Every month there is a new theme that is being investigated. They screen contemporary as well as historic films. Nova also organises various festivals around particular subjects. The films are shown round eight and they also offer midnight screenings. On Thursday you can view short films sent in by Cinema Nova’s film creating public.

In short cinema Nova programs experimental films that don’t get the distribution or exposure they deserve. A living and strong political and critical minded group of individuals make this place a context to stimulate debate and create a strongly needed change in society.

To sum it up this place is one of the most worthwhile things to see when you are in the centre. A true pioneer in less mainstream entertainment.

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Cinema Nova | Bars, Cinemas, Restaurants (Fusion) | Meal € 7.00
Rue d’Arenberg 3 | Center | +3225112477
17:00 – 02:00 daily

This was the first bar I went to when I moved to Brussels. My friend brought me here to celebrate my new job. Since that time I can’t avoid a stop here if I’m in the neighborhood.

They have few tables, friendly staff, and a good choice of wine and beers. However, what attracts me most are the tapas. Just what you need while drinking a good glass. Try the quinoa salad or the cheese (not always available)!

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Delecta | Bars, Snacks | Beer € 2.00
Rue Lannoy, 2 | Ixelles
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 01:00, Sat 11:00 – 02:00

Since at least 6 years an “after work” concept has entered into Brussels young community habit.

It’s an event on Thursday, starting at approx 19:00 and lasting not until later than 01:00.

There is food till 21:30/22:00, and then djs make people dance till you drop. But by 01:00, everybody is out; time to sleep to be in perfect shape for Friday work.

Havana is the newest club offering this concept.
With the summer season this club has open an outdoor terrace where is possible to enjoy some tapas, dinner or drinks. The party will be inside though!

The food is good (14€ main course) and drinks are affordable.

Happy hour ends at 22:00 and depending on the day you can get free tapas or other surprises.

A plus of this club is the free parking a few meters away. Why spend hours looking for a parking spot when instead you could be enjoying yourself dancing with your friends while drinking a mojito?

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Havana | Bars, Music, Restaurants ( Intern.) | Entrance fee € 5.00
Rue de l’épée, 4 | Center | +32493502396
Thu 18:30 – 01:00

In Brussels you can find cafes on every corner. Typical, busy, smoky, good or bad: you have plenty of choice!

However only few serve something local, something typically Bruxelloise. One of them is “Het Warme Water”, near Place du Jeu de Balle in Marolles.

They have a few wooden tables, some old pictures, and an interesting menu. Breakfasts, brunches, meals, drinks, buffet on Sundays. You just have to choose. Everything is prepared in front of you in the kitchen open to the room. What I like of this spot is the opportunity to taste some Brussels food, like cheese, salami, beer… and to spend there hours chatting without being asked to leave!

It’s also possible to book the upstairs room for parties.

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Het Warme Water | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Bruxelloise) | Breakfast € 10
25, Rue des Renards | Center | +3225139159
Sun – Tue 08:00 – 19:00, Thu – Sat 08:00 – 22:00

One of the spots I like to go to is L’Auberge espagnole. Funny, when I’m making appointment with French speaking friends, they’re so enthusiastic as it’s the name of a very popular french movie. But anyway, all this don’t tell you why it is my spot:

Once, I went there and tried their Chili Con Carne… and loved it. So few time later, I came back with one friend and on our way I was giving her all delicious details about this Chili… hmmm we were so hungry! It was around 9 pm, we arrived and… bad surprise: no more Chili. They told us that if I wanted to make sure I have to come back earlier or to make a booking… (something I never do).

So one week later; here we are, now the three of us and it’s… 7.30 pm. And again… bad news; no more Chili!! I was so desperate and hungry and angry.. “How early is not too early to have this Chili? It’s before 8 pm?” Well they were sorry but couldn’t help.

After this, they can hardly forget me, and each time I go there, I don’t have to order.. they know what I want! But now, I’m regretting to let you know about this place, ’cause we will be even more people to order that dish!

About the wine; the place is a wine bar. I can’t tell you much about wine, but it seems they have wine from Argentina, and some other Spanish speaking countries. And my friends told me it was good.

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L’Auberge espagnole | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Tapas) | Tapas from € 5.00
Parvis de la Trinité, 10 | Ixelles | +32473315979
Tue – Sat 18:30 – 23:00

It’s the first place I’ve ever eaten in Brussels, so it’s a very special place to me. 5 years, and not much has changed!

Getting more popular by the minute l’Ultime Atome is a typical café restaurant in the heart of Ixelles, squeezed between the shopping street of chaussee d’Ixelles and the African neighbourhood in chaussee de Wavre.

It’s a great place to rest after shopping or drink before clubbing. It offers food all day long, and has a very good beer list (seasonal beers, trappist beers, regional beers,…). They also serve breakfast daily, but unfortunately only till 12!

I like the pot of fresh mint tea (with liquid sugar!) a lot. One of the specialities is the “chocolat chaud”, the hot chocolate which is served as hot milk and separate chocolate pearls which you mix at your taste. Not to miss is the “molleaux au chocolat” served with custard and the cakes in display on the left of the main entrance.

It has a dozen of tables on the terrace, a bit squeezed but great on one of those few warm sunny day. The staff is friendly, prices are average but you’ve got to pay for the loo.

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L’Ultime Atome | Bars, Restaurants (Café) | Beer € 2.00
14, rue Saint Boniface | Ixelles | +3225111367
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 01:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 01:00

Square St. Gery is probably the most famous place to go for a beer. Few minutes walking from La Bourse, it has a dozen of bars of any kind where to relax for a drink, some food, a chat and even to dance or watch a movie.

My favourite bar of all times is Mappamundo, right in the corner, 3 floors, a wide selection of drinks and even possibility of food during the day.

There’s a terrace equipped with heaters so that also in winter you can check out what’s going around the square.

Music isn’t too loud at the beginning of the evening, giving you the chance for chatting. In the back there are rooms where big groups can fit so that you have some kind of privacy.

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Mappamundo | Bars | Beer € 2.00
Rue du Pont de la Carpe 2 – 6 | Center | +32025135116
Mon – Thu 11:00 – 02:30, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 04:00

Metro stop Naamse Poort is the gateway to African shops, various ethnic restaurants, Italian, Greek, Indian, Pakistan, and Belgian cuisine. This is rue Nord, Brussels commercial clothes street converted into a more enjoyable area to wander in.

There are also a lot of African barber shops, clothes, food and jewelry shops next to HM, Zara and the usual pack of Belgian stores but this time in a vibrant and living neighbourhood. At night you can enjoy Brazilian, African, or other cultural happenings.

Further down the shop street right in front of the subway you’ll find a park to sit in front of the cities town hall, in Ixelles. Various bars and restaurants add to Matongés cultural offerings.

The Chaussée de Wavre offers mainly restaurants, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian and Japanese bars and several African shops. There are also various second hand clothes shops and other specialised shops. The prices for food, clothes, or other items in this area are fairly cheap. Be sure to see this area at your own interests and pace.

The most vibrant part of Brussels and the best experiences to be found are there.

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Matongé | Art & culture, Bars, Restaurants (Different)
Chaussee de Wavre, Porte de Namur | Ixelles
Daily

Just behind the rather over-grand maison communale (town hall) of St Gilles, this bar is a must visit for beer lovers.

Cosier than Delirium or Bier Circus, it stocks around 350 Belgian beers and prides itself on serving only artisanal products from small breweries. It also does a great selection of cheeses and cooked meats to accompany the fine ales.

The small interior is packed with beer-related trinkets full and dark wood. The terrace provides extra seating in summer, and draws in more people on sunny days. It does get busy.

The bar staff are friendly and know their stuff – they’ll happily recommend you which brews to drink if the large beer menu proves overwhelming. And if you stay long enough, they’ll more than likely join you for a drink.

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Moeder Lambic | Bars
Rue de Savoie 68 | The South
12:00 – late daily

The area around St. Catherine is the heart of the Flemish community in Brussels and this is a classic night spot.

It’s a large bar done out in a traditional brasserie style – lots of polished dark wood, shiny brass and mirrors. Service is at the bar and it has a decent variety of drinks, but no food except for small bar snacks.

It tends to get busy, and draws in a fashionable-yet-laid-back crowd that stay till the early hours. The main room even gets so packed that sometimes – just, sometimes, mind -  people are forced into the non-smoking room out back.

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Monk | Bars
Rue Sainte-Catherine 42 | Center | +3225030880
12:00 – 02:00 daily

Set in the beautiful art nouveau building `The old England’, this museum guarantees a well spent afternoon. Various instruments, European and non European. are at display. Infrared headphones offer the possibility to hear extracts from the instruments you are viewing.

They collected a large sample of extracts for you to listen to, making a visit to this museum a feast for body and soul. In September until June concerts are organised there. These concerts make use of the enormous rare and ancient instruments in the collection.

Your visit is chronologically structured taking you to instruments and their sounds from ancient times until present day. Guided tours are also offered to give you a more thorough understanding of musical evolutions. Next to this rich collection of instruments the museum has a library where you can proceed your investigation of everything about music. It has a long history of collecting, renovating and preserving instruments that makes this museum extra spectacular.

There is also a shop where you can buy books, Cd’s and other music related products. Pictures and video extracts nicely put next to the instruments on display give you further insights. This is truly a museum where education, entertainment and conservation come together.

Finally the restaurant on the top floor offers a spectacular view of Brussels, the terrace looks out on the best of Brussels architectural jewels. Even if you don’t have time to visit this museum you can still visit the restaurant without paying for the entrance to the museum. But still, you’ll regret missing out on this extravagant temple of music.

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Musical instruments museum | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Restaurants (Lunch)
Hofberg 2 | Center | +3225450130
Tue – Fri 9:30 – 17:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 17:00

One of the things I missed as soon as I left my Torino was the ritual of the aperitif. After work we used to meet in bars in the town center, and enjoy some drinks accompanied by free food, this is the concept.

And one day, walking around Brussels, I heard someone speaking my dialect, I turned around and saw “La Piola” aperitif bar in Brussels. I almost cried while ordering a glass of white Moscato wine and picking some of the food.

A few years have passed since that day, and the Piola is still running. There are 2 even.

La Piola Libri is a bookstore, wine bar, apero bar, concert/conference place for Italians or Italy lovers. The evenings with Guccini and Vinicio Capossela were unforgettable.

It’s nested in the European Quarter not far from Schuman.

The second branch, La Piola is just off pl. Chatelain (rue du page 2, Ixelles). It’s an apero bar, a wine bar and also a good simple Italian restaurant with a nice front terrace and a backyard garden.

Do not expect the variety of food you can get in Torino, but still I feel at home (you can even read La Stampa, the Turin newspaper).

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Piola Libri | Bars, Music, Shopping, Restaurants (Italian) | Daily special € 10.00
Rue Franklin 66-68 | Etterbeek/ Eur.Qt
Mon – Fri 10:30 – 20:00, Sat 12:00 – 20:00

Place Rouppe is in the centre of Brussels and has several nice bars and restaurants surrounding the roundabout.

A new restaurant annex bar “Houtsiplou” has opened there with a very large terrace, they serve juices, salads, main courses and other beverages and snacks. The quality is high and the prices are low. The people who serve there are very sweet and fast. The high ceiling inside enlarges the place and the windows let in a lot of light.

Place Roupppe is in the middle of rue du Midi, with a great photography shop and two musical instruments shops (guitars and drums) and the Stalingradlaan. The Stalingradlaan has several Moroccan food shops and restaurants, two Moroccan bakeries, fish restaurants and coffee bars. This area is a wonderful entrance to the centre and enjoys a lively atmosphere with a lot of action going.

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Place Rouppe | Bars, Shopping, Restaurants (Various)
Place Rouppe | Center | +32206268694
Daily

If you’re not interested in the spots where you have to be hip and trendy and you want something more ‘underground’, then Recyclart is the place to be for you.

Literally because of its location beneath the railway track, and even more because this former railway station is an alternative artistic hotspot. Meet your cultural soulmates in the bar, or have a look at the art exhibitions, photography expositions or architecture projects.

Wanna move your feet? Go the the frequently organised parties or concerts and shake your body on the rhythms of dubstep, electro, worldbeat or guitar noise. 
Disko disko partizani!

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Recyclart | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Festivals & events
Rue des Ursulines 25 | Center | +3225025734
Tue – Fri 11:00 – 17:00 (bar), 12:00 – 15:00 (food)

The Rue Jourdan is one of the places to be when you’re looking for a cozy street full of nice resto terraces in the Louiza Area. Located close to movie theatres UGC Toison d’Or and Vendôme (check the Vendôme article) makes it a good spot for a pre-movie dinner.

Italians are well represented in this street, Al Piccolo Mondo, I Trulli, Il Rinascimento , Il Vecchio Mulino… your pick!  Fancy French food? Try a Coq au vin in Le Délire Parisien or French/Belgian cuisine in Au Boeuf Gros Sel while Kwiling will feed the ones looking for Asian kitchen.

Take a look around the corner in Rue Dejoncker for other (and more budget-friendly) options such as Libanese and Vietnamese restaurants and a regular brasserie.

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Rue Jourdan | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants
Rue Jourdan | Ixelles
Early breakfast – late dinner daily

The first time I went to a Strictly Niceness party was the beginning of a new era.

Before Strictly, I felt lonely on the dancefloor with my friends, when we had a chance to have good music for 5 minutes or if by chance we finally found a very nice party. And not to talk about the weird fauna looking at us while pretending not to and while drinking anything probably to forget how boring the party (or their life) is.

I like to funk, I like to groove, I like to hip and to hop, I like to shake my body all night long.

So, I always asked myself if in this big universe (most of Brussels night life) I would ever had a chance to meet some people like me; who wants to have good times the all night long for the pleasure of the dance and the music…

Yes, a lot of people do have very good time on the dancefloor in Brussels, and you will if you like Electro music. But what about all the rest?

And suddenly one day (one night, shoul I say) I finally decide to follow the advice of my friend, Phil, aka DJ Kwak, who told me long time ago that I have to come to the parties he’s organising since a few years now…without understanding why I never showed up!

How to explain what I felt when I first arrive there?

First thing: the music: the DJ set (DJ Kwak and Dobbs) is a non stop pleasure for your hears. And your brain will not understand why the rest of the body is no more under control.

Second thing: the people, looking at them is pleasure for your eyes. And your mouth will not understand why you have this endless smile on your face.

Third thing; the combination of energy of everything (music, atmosphere, good DJ, nice people, nice location La Bodega) is a pleasure for your heart. And your soul will not understand why you feel so full of energy for the rest of the week.

I can add much more. But if you don’t experience it, you won’t believe me.

I can only suggest you to experience the pleasure for your hears, with the radioshow Back To Niceness.

See you on the dance floor!

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Strictly Niceness Party | Bars, Music | Before midnight € 6.00
La Bodega – rue de Birmingham 30 | The West
Monthly (2nd Sat of the month) from 22:00

A bar you should definitely visit is the newly opened Supermercado bar. This little bar is not that far from the ‘Louise’ metro stop in Ixelles. the neighbourhood is populated mostly by Brussels expats. Italian, English, Spanish and Belgian people all mix in this small homely bar.

Next to your regular cafe menu they serve excellent wines, mojito’s, coffee’s and several small delicate foods. The cutely organized terrace gives a magnificent view of the beautiful art deco buildings in the neighbourhood. Since this bar is located out of the main shopping streets it offers a quiet surrounding. There are practically no cars passing by as with the regular terraces in busy areas. Most of the people visiting there know each other: consider it as a meeting spot for locals and expats.

The wall inside the bar shows a drawing transcending into a photograph which contributes to this bar’s unique personalized character. It is not like the various dull and uniform decorated bars. It can mostly be described as a typical Barcelona Cava bar.

The owner also serves delicious small snacks. This can be marinated olives or other tapa like dishes depending on what’s available for the day.

This cute little black bar is definitely something to see when in Brussels, a nice time guaranteed!

Supermercado seems to be more true to its supposed opening hours. They are now open in regular fashion each Tuesday till Saturday from five o’clock.

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Supermercado | Bars, Snacks | Wine € 2.50
Rue de Florence | Ixelles
Tue – Sat from 17:00 until ..

You must know it already if you were reading my articles, I like jazz music (and soul, funky, groovy, hip-hop music, …): so I can’t keep this legendary place in Brussels for myself and the very few who like Jazz. It’s located in a little street near the city hall of Ixelles; The Sounds.

The name itself sounds like this is the place were things happens. And things have been happening for more than 20 years now at the Sounds!

I can’t explain you more than that, it’s not something you have to read, it’s something you should hear and live by yourself. The atmosphere is similar to other places for initiates. It’s warm, cosy, friendly and the sound in the air is one of the best in town.

Every Monday, you’ll enjoy the Master Sessions (with very good Belgian jazzmen), every Wednesday the sound is more latino, I’m sure none of us will complain.

And there’s a concert every other day, so you must find what you’re looking for (and even be well surprised).

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The Sounds | Bars, Music, Snacks
Rue de la Tulipe, 28 | Ixelles
Mon – Sat 20:00 – 04:00

In Belgium a “Stam café” is the coffee bar you are use to go to very often. It’s your very first spot any moment of the day.

I used to have one until one year ago. But don’t search in my previous articles; I stopped going to that place a long time before I started writing for Spotted by locals. So I have my different spots, indeed, but I was desperately in quest of my new “stam café”.

And then, at the end of the summer, a new bar open its doors at the end of my street. Knowing that I live in Flagey: yes, that’s another very nice place to hang out in Flagey!

What is so special about this place? It’s cosy and I like some details on the design, the bartender is really friendly and welcoming, I recognise the faces of some people at other tables, the music is nice and it’s at 20 meters from my apartment!

And last but not least for a non alcohol drinker but night bird like me… they do serve tea after 22:00.

See you there, hopefully!

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Tigre Café | Bars, Coffee & tea
Rue de la Brasserie, 117-119 | Ixelles
08:30 – 00.00 daily

If you’ve spent a hard day browsing the boutiques along rue Antoine Danseart, you should reward yourself with a drink in this classic Brussels bar.

Walvis is best visited in summer afternoons and evenings when you can make the most of the terrace and watch the sun set overlooking the Brussels canal.

It was recently closed down for renovations for an extended period of time, but seems to have attracted back its clientele quickly. From what I can remember, the décor doesn’t seem to have changed much.

But that’s not a bad thing, it was always good, coming from the same people who designed the gorgeous café Belga and the Bar Du Matin (check the Bar du Matin article). My girlfriend pointed out the addition of ‘post-modern’ toilets, so perhaps that’s what’s changed.

The food here is a cut above the standard offering for bar food – rich lasagnes, soups, meat balls and generously-sized pastas and salads.

In the evenings there are DJs and live music, check the website for details.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Walvis | Bars | Main meals under € 10.00
209 rue Antoine Dansaertstraat | Center
Daily till late