Image by Wouter Spitters

Therese et Dominique is one of those places where ordering the regular would be a true crime.

Although this is ‘just’ a sandwich bar, it would be a pity to go for the baguette with tuna fish you always eat. Apart from the usual stuff they have a bunch of specialties worth to be discovered. Try for instance an adapted ciccio bello, mozzarella-tomato with sweet peppers and fried aubergine slices, divine.

When the weather is nice I like to take-away my treasure and eat it sitting in the sun of the Poelaert square while doing some tourist watching, but it’s also possible to eat at the place itself, inside or in the cute garden.

Measured by the queues that might appear at the entrance it seems I’m not the only fan of the place, make sure you’re in it. Don’t worry, they work fast, you never have to wait too long.

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Therese et Dominique | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Baguette € 3.50
Dejonckerstraat 23 | Ixelles
Mon – Sat

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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

Looking for a tasty crêpe and don’t have time to go to Brittany or Normandy? We Belgians like pancakes too. The sweet ones are the most popular and widespread, most brasseries offer sweet pancakes as a dessert and it is a typical treat at children’s birthday parties.

Pancakes with savory fillings are a little harder to find however. Maison des Crêpes is one of those places that offers both sweet and savory fillings.

Enjoy your lunch/dinner or ‘in between’ in this cosy place with over-friendly service…and don’t forget to order your apple Cider… ;)

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La maison des Crêpes | Snacks, Restaurants (Crepes)
Zuidstraat 13 | Center | +322475957368
Tue – Sun 11:00 – 23:00

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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

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Image by Wouter Spitters

The world refers to them as French fries, although there is no population in the world that eats more of them and they are invented here, in this country. You spent all your money in chocolate stores and you’re running out of budget? Or you’re just looking for some quick and cheap snack?

Try a typical ‘frietkot’ and head to Fritland, located in the tourist heart of the centre. Ready in a minute and you can eat them inside, outside on the terrace or as takeaway to enjoy your meal at the steps of the Bourse.

Wanna act like a local? Eat ‘french’ fries with mayo. And when you’re desperately looking for a bit of meat… try a mitraillette, Fritland has the best ones in town. No fear, no one will get harmed, it’s just a baguette with hamburger, lettuce, baked onions, cocktail sauce and – of course – Belgian fries.

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Fritland | Snacks, Restaurants (Friterie) | Mitraillette € 3.50
Rue Henri Maus 49 | Center | +3225140627
Sun – Thu 11:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 07:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Yamina El Atlassi

Do you know this feeling? You want to eat this particular dish that you use to eat when you were still living at your parents’ place… but you know the preparation takes long, you’re not sure about the recipe and you don’t see yourself calling your mum (who’s not living in the same town by the way) to ask her to prepare it…

Fortunately, I found out in my neighborhood a snack offering salads, soups and… traditional Moroccan food! And I found exactly what I was looking for: the taste from my childhood.

Obviously, I’m not the only one: many Moroccans eat there as well. It’s true that in the neighborhood there’s a Moroccan community: and some of them use to go there to drink the traditional tea, have a chat altogether, listening to the traditional music…

Sometimes, I have the feeling I’m in one of the many snacks in Casablanca… and it’s even true, when the waiter starts to sing an Arabic song while serving everyone!

I’ve tried nearly everything and was not disappointed, but I especially recommend the “Tagine Kefta” (ask for ‘la totale’ with potatoes and eggs), the “Soupes de lentilles”, or for dessert the “Raïb” (a home made yogourt).

Oh, and did I tell you? Yes, they have Couscous, of course!!!

Bsaha (Arabic word to say ‘bon appetit’)

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Perle D’Orient | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Moroccan)
rue Malibran, 23 | Ixelles | +32483422401
11:00 – 23:00 daily

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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

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Image by Yamina El Atlassi

As I don’t live in the neighborhood of this bar, I don’t go often for breakfast or to enjoy the tea time, but I’ve heard it’s a nice place to be at any moment.

I used to go to the nice events they organized during evenings quite often. If it’s raining and cold, the music keeps us warm, and if the weather is good, the big terrace is welcoming us and the many friends who had the same idea.

Thursdays nights are my favourites, all year round : a concert and a DJ set in a jazzy, funky, colourful style.

Friday and Saturday nights can also be a good place to meet some friends to warm up before a huge party in the city or going back home early but after having a good musical moment on the Bar du Matin’s dancefloor.

From September to April, I also like to discover some live bands playing rock, folk, indie music every Monday (starting at 20:00) or I go there to finish the week-end while watching some pictures or short movies at the Photomatic event (every Sunday from 19:00).

For the Summertime (from June to September) : every Wednesday afternoon, you’ll think you’re on the beach: music, chill atmosphere and DJ set, the kids and their parents seems very happy to enjoy their fruit juices or some sodas !

Despite it’s name (matin means “morning”), any moment is a good one to have a drink or more at this bar.

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Bar du Matin | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks
172, Chaussée d’Alsembergsesteenweg | The South | +3225377159
Mon – Thu 08:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 08:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Yamina El Atlassi

One of the spots I like to go to is L’Auberge espagnole. When I make an appointment with French speaking friends, they’re very enthusiastic as it’s the name of a very popular french movie.

The place is a wine bar. I can’t tell you much about that, but it seems they have wine from Argentina and some other South American countries. According to my friends the choice is good.

Once, I tried their Chili Con Carne… and loved it. So few time later, I came back with a friend and on our way I was giving her all delicious details about this Chili… Hmmm we were so hungry! We arrived around 9 pm, and… bad surprise: no more Chili. Their advice was to come earlier or to make a booking… (something I never do).

So one week later, here we are – now the three of us – and it was only 7.30 pm. But 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 even before 8 pm?”

After this, they can hardly forget me, and each time I go there, I don’t have to order : they know what I want!

I’m nearly regretting to let you know about this place, ’cause we will be even more people to order that dish!

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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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Yamina El Atlassi

You would like to buy some creative items made by an artisan?

Want to discover some local talents off the beaten path?

Want to have a drink in a place which connects travellers and a certain way of discovering the world?

Here you’ll find a market (every Saturday and Sunday – 11.00 – 19.00), a place to drink and eat for a decent price (Via Via Travellers Café), an exhibition, a show yet to begin, a workshop for kids, people having a seat and talking, some travel books, friendly faces, an organised chaos, a new way to live the world without having long and boring argumentation but just by acting differently.

Spending some time in this place make me feel being in an other part of the world and not in the center of the city I live in. The spirit of the place and the bright patio may be an important part of that feeling!

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Micro Marché | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks
9, Quai de la Houille | Center
11:00 – 23:00 daily

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