Image by Wouter Spitters

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 Lebanese and Vietnamese restaurants and a regular brasserie.

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

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Image by Wouter Spitters

Together with Gecko (see the Gecko 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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Wouter Spitters

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
Rue des Ursulines 25 | Center | +3225025734
Tue – Fri 11:00 – 17:00 (bar) & 12:00 – 15:00 (food)

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Renata Riva

Square St. Gery is probably the most famous place to go for a beer. A few minutes walk from La Bourse, it has a dozen bars of all kinds 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, with 3 floors, a wide selection of drinks and even the 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 | +3225135116
Mon – Thu 11:00 – 02:30, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 04:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Smon Summers

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 12:00!

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 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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Renata Riva

In Brussels you can find cafés on every corner. Typical, busy, 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 about 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!

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Het Warme Water | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Bruxelloise) | Breakfast € 10
25, Rue des Renards | Center | +3225139159
Thu – Sun 09:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Yamina El Atlassi

Bar du Matin (check out the article) has an event taking place almost every night from October to April. And this is not an exception on Sunday.

Every Sunday from 18.30 till 23.00 you can expect to chill out with a DJ set, while watching pictures or even some short movies during the Apero Photomatic.

The atmosphere is very cosy, people talk to each other to share impression, some of the (yet to be known) artists are open for a discussion, the bar tender offers some pop corns and you can have you a drink or even a little snack.

It’s a good moment and place to end the week-end before a busy week.

To be honest, I believe it’s better than watching TV on your couch at home (I’m talking about the locals who may read this article, as I do not have a TV, nor a couch!)

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Apero Photomatic | Bars | Free
Chaussée d’Alsemberg, 172 | The South | +3225377159
Sun 18:30 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Wouter Spitters

In the middle of the Marolles on the border of Het Vossenplein you can find this cosy bar. Sit on the terrace, enjoy the sun &  try one of their great beers while you are watching the flea market activity.

On every Thursday evening from 20:00 to 00:00 Chaff is the epicenter of the Brussels board games world. Dozens of people gather together. The concept is simple: go sit at a table and you wait for one of the sympathetic organising dudes to pass by, you pay 3 euro and in return you can a name tag and you can choose from dozens of often less known but fun games. The organizers can help you choose the games depending on your preferences, well known or less known, with a lot of strategy or based on a lot of luck, speed or concentration and group size.

If you’re looking for game companions or when you think it’s fun to meet new people the tables might get mixed and you end your evening playing with complete strangers. Too lazy to read the game rules (or game rules in another language)? No need to worry, you get an almost professional live explanation of everything you need to know. 

Oh yeah, before I forget to tell you, they have great food too ;)

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Chaff | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Restaurants | Boardgame evening € 3
Vossenplein 21 | Center | +3225025848
08:30 – 00:00 daily (closed Mon evening & Sun lunchtime)

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Yamina El Atlassi

As many other bars in town, this one is famous for its good location, big space and lots of activities but not for it’s charm and singularity.

However, as a local there’s always a moment I’ll end up here: for a DJ set, a drink with a friend who had no other idea, a rest after a walk in the area,… So it’s not really possible to avoid speaking about this place, as you may hear of it after a very short while in our city and noticing that we do not mention it, will probably disappoint you.

So I can’t say that I love the place and will pick it as a first choice, but it’s one of the “Giant” bars of the Capital, and you always know why you end up here, what you’re looking for and you find it easily.

I also remember that I met a girl here while dancing who shortly became my “partner in crime” in the Brussel’s nights fever and other funky dance floors!

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Café de la Maison du Peuple | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music
39, Parvis de Saint-Gilles | The South | +3228500908
Sun – Thu 08:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 08:00 – 03:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Yamina El Atlassi

When I’m in the neighborhood of Saint Boniface and a little bit hungry for something quick, cheap but delicious, that’s the place I use to go with my friends.

They serve salads, burgers and pitta’s : all delicious and original recipes. My favorite is the “Pitta Ronron”: rice, nuts, banana, chicken…. The vegetarian burger is also a must.

One pitta is €6 and if you order a second one, it will cost you only €4 for it. Burgers are at €9.

The good thing is that the place is also a good spot to have just a drink.

The place is welcoming in any season : if it’s cold, the interior is cosy and if the weather is good, the big terrace make it certainly a very nice spot.

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Le Comptoir | Bars, Snacks
22, rue de la Paix | Ixelles
12:00 – 00:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels