Center Brussels – All our local tips

You’re hungry like a bear or eager to score a meat overdose? Head for the best rib thing in town, Amadeo.

To tell you a little secret, I personally don’t like spare ribs at all, but when asked to accompany friends or family to this charming all-you-can-eat ribplace I don’t have to hesitate a single second. It’s a pleasure already only to sit and absorb the unique atmosphere created by the walls made out of books and jazzy thirties music. I usually go for a steak or grilled shrimps and wait for my friends when order again and again and even more.

Also worth mentioning are the boiled potatoes delivered with a delicious sauce and the enjoyable house wine that gets billed per consumed finger. There is a big bottle on the table and they just measure how much you drank.

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Amadeo | Restaurants (Spareribs) | All you can eat ribs € 13.50
Sint-Katelijnestraat 26 – 28 | Center | +3225025137
Mon – Thu 18:30 – 23:00, Fri – Sun 18:00 – 23:30

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

It’s a Wednesday, at the office. You’re on a hurry to finish your task because tonight you’ll meet a friend right after the office. Program? After work drink in a bar, then a dinner in one of those places you’ve been reading about on your favorite blog “Spotted by Locals”. Sounds nice.

After your (short) lunch break, you’re back at your desk, where this e-mail from your friend is waiting for you:

“Hey dude, sorry, my kid (or replace by my boss/mom/wife/boyfriend/roommate, or whoever else you may imagine) is sick (or: need my help/don’t let me go/is angry,…) so I can’t make it for tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow (or next week/when my 2 years old kid is at University/when I get older, ..) to fix an other day.”

So you have some time for yourself and don’t know what to do, but on a mood for some surprises, something nice, unexpected…. then why not go to the theater?

Yes, for many of us, going to theater sounds like a huge organization: choose a nice show, read all the critics about it to be sure to choose the best one in town, call the theater in order to book the places, etc… that was before Arsene 50 existed!

Now, you can just visit their website, look at what they offer, and run to the ticket office (Flagey Billetterie place Sainte-Croix in Ixelles or in Arenberg Gallery) in order to buy the ticket for a cheaper price (you can get up to 50% of discount!).

So…. what are you waiting for?

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Arsene 50 | Art & culture
Cinéma Arenberg Galerie de la Reine, 26 | Center
Tue – Sat 12:30 – 17:30

This is great if you’re looking for a quick bite to eat in the centre of town without breaking the bank.

I’m not sure if it counts as a restaurant, fast food joint or take-away – it’s a bit of all three – perhaps noodle bar is the best description for this small, family-run place.

The inside is spotless and the décor unfussy. There are a few tables inside and a small terrace that looks out onto the cafes of St Jacques.

The menu is similarly straightforward, consisting of classic Asian dishes such as spring rolls, dumpling soup, sweet and sour, black bean or sate sauces. The main dishes come with a choice of meats and are served with either rice or noodles. It’s not ground-breaking cuisine, but it is tasty and cooked fresh in front of you.

The portions are large and ideal to share. There are a range of beers, wines and soft drinks that you can help yourself to from the fridge by the counter. The service is always friendly and fast.

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Asia Grill | Snacks, Restaurants (Asian) | Main dishes from € 6.00
rue marche au charbon, 98 | Center
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 22:00

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

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

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life Pablo Picasso once said, well, this shop is your washing machine.

Fashion magazines, arthouse movies, exhibition catalogues, gifts, kid  books, T-shirts with fancy slogans and the widest range of national and international art books you can imagine, you can find it all in one place… the fine arts shop near the fine arts museum.

Ideal to buy birthday presents you cannot find elsewhere and I bet you won’t be surprised if I tell you this is one of my favorite places to hang out around christmas time.

Take a look at the award nominated videos made by co-owner BaseMOTION

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Bozar Shop | Art & culture, Shopping
rue Ravensteinstraat 15 | Center | +3225141505
10:00 – 19:00 (or till after concert) daily

Belgium is the cradle of the 20th century comics, called BD (Bande dessinée) in Brussels. It’s an important part of the culture of this country; nowhere in the world can you find so many comics shops.

The Smurfs, Tintin, Lucky Luke are only few of the comics created by Belgian authors and famous that are famous all around the world.

Brussels has a “Museum de la Bande Dessinée” but what has always fascinated me is the open air tribute to comics.

All through the city center you will see plenty (36 and growing) of murals showing your favourite characters. Some of them interact with Brussels landmarks (i.e. the Manneken Pis), others perfectly fit the wall they are painted on (Boulevard d’Anspach, close to La Bourse). You will be surprised by seeing them around many corners in the center!

There are walking and biking guided tours which explain you the history of Belgian comics while showing you many of the walls.

But if you prefer discovering these beauties yourself, then check this website. It’s in french, but it’s easier to understand which comics are where in town.

It’s worth checking out the tours or walking on your own, there are some which are so well integrated with the city that you do not even realize they are there.

Have a good walk, and let me know!

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Brussels & the comics | Art & culture | Free
All around town | Center
24 hours 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

I normally do not like big movie theatres, those with 20 screens, the latest Hollywood movies and unpolite staff; and all this for an overpriced ticket. They just lost the atmosphere of my childhood, when I knew the cinema owner, and I felt the theatre as part of my house.

Here in Brussels we are fortunate to find a few nice theatres. The one I love the most is the Cinema Museum / Cinematek.

This cinema features some very old movies from great directors (many italian ones to be honest..). One of the highlights are the weekly mute film sessions, when the movie is accompained by a live piano…it’s a treat!

On the website (only French/Dutch) you can also find latest programs for other movie theatres like Flagey and its movie festivals throughout the year.

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Cinema Museum | Cinemas | Entrance € 3.00
Rue Baron Horta 9 | Center | +3225511919
Various shows daily – check website

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 must be Walhalla for move addicts like me. Founded in the thirties last century, the Royal Movie Archive started to build one of the most important quality movie collections in the world. The good thing for us? They are more than happy to show’n’share their treasure with us, via recently renovated Cinematek.

With classics, rare cult movies, experimental cinema, directors/actors or genres in the spotlight they provide us a nice mix of very old to more recent highlights of movie history.

Subtitles often are in Dutch/French, so you may be limited to English spoken movies. Don’t worry, we don’t ‘dub’ those in our languages.

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Cinematek | Cinemas | Movie ticket € 3.00
Baron Hortastraat 9 | Center | +32025511919
Sat – Wed 14:30, Thu 12:30, Fri 16:30 – until end of last show

How many train stations can boast their own myspace site? I’m guessing not many, which puts Bruxelles Congres in the minority.

Built in the fifties by architect Maxime Brunfaut, this station was originally built to serve the thousands of government workers working in central part of town. With some of the administrative buildings closed and civil servants preferring to commute into work in their people carriers, its function as a station is much reduced from its heyday, though some trains do stop there during the week.

It is now being reinvented as a cultural spot, with photo and contemporary art exhibitions, cultural debates and regular club nights. Though it is still worth checking out the station for its great modernist interiors and the great little café that is open during the week for lunch and specialises in quiches and tartines.

Check out the myspace site for details of events.

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Congres Station | Art & culture
Boulevard Pachécolaan 25 | Center
Daily

De Slegte (”the Bad”) is where you ‘ll find second hand books at ditto price and in good quality.

There are several floors with different subjects. There is a large selection of travel books, books on psychology, philosophy, history, mathematics, physics, geography, and other disciplines. In addition they have a large selection of cooking books, photography books, art books and national and international novels.

Most of the books are in Dutch, but there are plenty of books in French and English. The Slegte is situated in the centre of Brussels near Brussels famous “manneken Pis” statue. Their website offers the possibility to indicate what your interests are so they can keep you updated on their new arrivals or on what they have in stock.

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De slegte | Shopping | 2nd hand book from € 4.00
17 Rue des Grands Carmes | Center | +3225116140
09:30 – 18:00 daily

Although you may think Brussels is flat, it actually has few hills! Try biking around and you’ll notice it! An easy way to reach “uptown” from “downtown” is taking the elevator.

In the Marolles area near Sablon there’s a small square (square Breughel L’ancien) from where you take this free elevator, open every day till midnight, for bikes too!! And when  reach the top…THE VIEW!

All Brussels opens in front of your eyes. On a clear day you can easily distinguish the “Basilique”, the Atomium and the whole center. You have reached as well the Justice Palace (impressive building) and the one of the shopping areas in town, Avenue Louise. So, it’s just time to enjoy!

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Elevator to the sky | Art & culture | Free
Place Poelaert | Center
24 hours daily

In the upscale Sablon area, this small restaurant lives up to its quirky name (it translates as ‘And who’s going to walk the dog?’) with funky décor and surprising food.

Located on the pedestrian rue de Rollebeek – down the hill from the Place Grand Sablon – the large decked terrace out front enables you to watch the world and his well-heeled wife go by on summer evenings.

Inside is cosy, with the earthy tones of the walls and leather chairs offsetting the colourful nature-inspired art on the wall and tables.

A wide range of influences are evident on the menu – with foi gras, gazpacho, chicken in a mango and curry sauce and tongue with a Madeira sauce. Everything I’ve had here has been tasty and well-cooked, with unusual combinations of flavours that work.

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Et qui va promener le chien? | Restaurants (European) | Daily menu € 29.00
Rue de Rollebeek 2 | Center
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 14:30 & 18:00 – 23:00, Sun 12:00 – 23:00

Two things can happen when you go to Felice’s, a tiny Italian restaurant round the corner from the Bourse (opposite Mr Ego). One, you have some of the best pasta and pizza this side of Napoli, you get plied with free wine and charged a small amount or, in the worst case scenario, you wait ages, it is freezing and the food is mediocre and overpriced.

Contrary to normal practice, this is one restaurant where it’s best to go when it is quiet, in fact, preferably when no one else is there. Most of the time it is a one-man show run by owner/chef/waiter, Felice (which means happy in Italian). When he is living up to his nickname, he’ll be singing along to the classic Italian pop that plays endlessly, regaling you with tales of his home country and gastronomic life, all the while pouring you some more plonk.

I’m not sure of the extent of the menu as I always have the same things when I go there – a quattro formaggio pizza featuring mascarpone, which is delicious, though not for the slimmers out there; or a tricolour of three filled pastas. He does do all the basic pizzas and will customise them as you want, plus a daily selection of freshly-made pastas.

It’s housed in an old hairdressers’ salon and, in estate agent speak, the conversion remains sympathetic to its former use. The renovation that has been done boasts a homemade feel which all adds to the charm of the place, though don’t expect anything swanky. And if it looks busy, probably best to give it a miss.

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Felice’s | Restaurants (Italian) | Dinner & wine from € 10.00
rue des Pierres | Center
Daily, midday onwards

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

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

This Ethiopian restaurant also happens to be a exposition venue, bar and concert place.

It serves traditional Ethiopian dishes served with injera, the bread like pancake that serves as an edible plate. You can choose between fish, meat (chicken, beef, lamb) and vegetarian. Next to this there is a large variety of salads to accompany your meal.

On Saturdays there is usually a concert or some other intercultural happening. The press has been bragging about this place everywhere which is another indication of its outstanding fresh quality and an extra stimulation for you to visit it.

The restaurant is located in a very inviting neighbourhood right off boulevard Anspach. The prices for the meals are very reasonable and relatively cheap. Afterwards you can visit other equally enjoyable bars there like Au soleil or Fontainas. This area can give you an enjoyable night out and offers nice clothes, shoes and gift shops during the day.

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Kokob Ethiopian restaurant | Restaurants (Ethiopean) | Meal € 20.00
Rue des Grands Carmes 10 | Center | +3225111950
Tue – Sun 12:00 – 22:00, Mon 18:00 – 22:00

In Brussels you can easily find all kinds of food, but what’s missing in many places is the atmosphere. What attracted me of La Kasbah in first place was its window full of oranges.

As soon as I entered I felt I had been instantanously transported to Morocco. Dark light, low tables, lanterns and a good smell of food. Yes, this is the place for me I thought.

I always start with mezze. small Moroccan tapas including aubergines, Moroccan salad and spinach. I then continue with tajine, the lemon chicken and the prunes ones are fabulous. Be careful, they are burning when they are served!

To finish the dinner, I go for fresh mint tea served Arabic style, very very sweet and poured from high up. The service is very good, waiters are friendly and they will remember you if you return.

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La Kashba | Restaurants (Moroccan) | Tajine € 18.00
Rue Antoine Dansaert 20 | Center | +3225024026
Sun – Thu 12:00 – 14:30 & 19:00 – 23:00, Fri 12:00 – 14:30 & 19:00 – 00:30, Sat 19:00 – 00:30

Looking for a tasty crêpe and you 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 savoury fillings are a little harder to find however. Maison des Crêpes is one of those places that offers both sweet and savoury fillings.

Enjoy your lunch/dinner or ‘in between’ in this cosy place with overfriendly 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

Every main city of the world has a river, or a harbour. But Brussels, at first sight looks like a city without water.

But that’s not true.

Once upon a time the river Zenne was crossing the city. By the end of the 19th century it was decided to build boulevards on top of the river, causing it to end up disappearing from the Brusseler’s mind.

Many of the inhabitants of Brussels will only know the Zenne from the signs on the highway. However right in the city center there’s a small hidden corner where you can see a glimpse of it. What you can see there is just the (reconstructed) original bedding of the Senne, but not the Senne itself. You can see it at the Grande écluse building near the Midi station.

This river was never very clean but in the last years effort have been done and now its waters are clear and big fish swim in it.

I like to enter in this small courtyard to get away from the bustling noise of the center, of course before heading to the nearby Place St. Gery for a drink.

Enter through the iron gate and go to the left. Be quiet and respectful, this is a private area which is open to tourist during the day to give us this nice chance to discover a bit more of Brussels.

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La Zenne | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Place Saint-Géry 23 | Center
10:00 – 18:00 daily (subjected to changes depending on owners)

All my friends know which is my favourite place in Brussels…the esplanade at the end of the Mont des Arts. In itself is nothing special, but when you arrive there at sunset and it’s a clear sky day, then you will immediately understand why I like it so much.

There’s a nice view of place d’Espagne and the town hall tower. But the colours are the ones striking me. Impossible to describe a sunset, so just take your chance and check out this place!

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Le Monts des Arts | Relaxing | Free
Mont Des Arts 24 | Center
24 hours daily

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

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

When skool’s out, the cool kids head to Mr Ego. A cavernous shop near the Bourse specialising in streetwear. The current style gives a healthy nod to the eighties – think Jane Fonda exercise videos crossed with space invaders video games. Colours are bright and designs bold. However, the store has a wide enough range for everyone to find something they like, with the extensive selection going beyond what you find in other similar stores.

Brands stocked include Carhartt, Volcom, Vans, Gravis, Analog, Ben Sherman, Kana Beach, Nudie Jeans, Box Fresh, Nikita, Loreak Mendian, Pussy Deluxe, Pointer shoes, Skunk Funk, Emily the Strange and much more.

Going beyond just selling clobber, the store plays an active part in ’street’ culture. DJs play instore at the weekends, it hosts regular fashion shows and houses a graffiti/street art- inspired gallery run by international collective No New Enemies. The guys running the shop are also involved in several club nights including the Dirty Dancing night at Mirano’s on Saturday nights.

Just make sure you bring mummy or daddy’s credit card – dressing like it’s 1984 does not come cheap these days. Though there are sales at the end of each season where the outgoing stock is discounted heavily and you can pick up decent bargains.

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Mr Ego | Shopping
29 rue des Pierres | Center | +3225024787
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

There is only one place vegetarian to go on the Anspachlaan. This little restaurant offers the best falafel ever. A counter, three tables, a fridge with beverages and a large salad bar are the settings for a cozy restaurant experience.

You order your falafel and watch the skilled cook preparing it. Then you take your falafel to the salad bar and you fill it up with a nice assortment of vegetables. Do not forget the delicious white tahin sauce that goes with a genuine falafel. This restaurant is a wonderful change from the abundant sandwich joints in Brussels, here you can eat a falafel that’s definitely worth the name.

The people of this place are opening another Mr. Falafel at the Horta Gallery soon. Tasting their falafel will have you wanting more. Especially the fresh sauces and salads that are full of flavour and herbs. I know you’ll be wanting to return or ask the owner to establish one in your hometown. And these must be the nicest restaurant owners in town.

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Mr Falafel-snackbar | Snacks, Restaurants (Egyptian) | Falafel € 3.50
Lemonnierlaan 53 | Center
12:00 – 00:00 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 nicest ways to discover a town is to look at it from a high point. Many cities have hills or skyscrapers with roof terraces… Brussels has a Parking!

Parking 58 is situated in the very center of the town, 100m from La Monnaie. Reach its 10th floor, and a big parking terrace will open in front of your eyes. There’s a beautiful 360 degrees view of Brussels. You can recognize the Palace of justice, the Grand Place tower, Basilique, the Atomium….what else??

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Parking 58 | Art & culture
Rue de l’Evêque, 1 | Center
Sun – Thu 07:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 07:00 – 02:00

Emblematic of Brussel’s rich and vibrant cultural life is Passa Porta, the international house of literature.

A fine and desperately needed meeting place where various language lovers get together to learn and enjoy all things related to semantic creativity. This place is an important link that assembles philosophers, writers and an interested public of various linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Almost every day you can experience a presentation of the works of various artists at the literary platform. Passa Porta also organises workshops that encompass discussions, analyses or theoretical and practical demonstrations on for instance writing fiction or on translation.

Next to it there is a book shop with new and second hand books at bargain prices. Photos and video’s enhance the understanding of a literary work at Passa Porta’s exposition room. They even give apartments to national and international writers. Their work made there gets sufficient attention after it is finished.

The whole kaleidoscope of linguistic creation is skillfully brought together by “entrez lire”. This organisation invites journalists, writers, translators, screen writers, book editors and others to discuss or show their field of occupation. Seminars, workshops, expositions and meetings are organised regularly.

Passa Porta is a wonderful place to discover the written word. You’ll find it on the fancy Dansaert straat not far from the Bourse. Be sure to check their website to consult the organised presentations.

Still going strong and having more and more links with other organisations.

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Passa Porta | Art & culture, Shopping
Antoine Dansaertstraat 46 | Center | +3222260454
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 19:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00

Few year ago, I friend of mine had a new colleague who came straight away from her homeland, Thailand, in order to work in Brussels.

My friend told me how difficult it was for this young Thai girl to feel at ease in Brussels, as she didn’t know anyone, and couldn’t speak nor French or Dutch. But the biggest challenge for her was to find something to eat.

In Thailand, she didn’t cook often: everyone eats on the streets… so it was challenging for her to cook, of course, but also to find all the ingredients of her preferred meals.

Yes, some people told her about the many Thai restaurants we have in town, but she didn’t find the “real” touch… If we were in Thailand, we would say that those restaurants are the ones for tourists. Or if they were good enough for a Thai, she said that it was not really “as if back home”. She was in search of something more ‘local’.

Then someone told her about the Chinese shops in the Centre of the city. She decided to drop a visit the very same day: hungriness can’t wait.

That’s how she found out the restaurant Pattaya surprisingly situated in the very fashionable Antoine Dansaert street…

She finally could eat something as good as her standards and she felt at home; and thanks to her, we feel like on holiday, and eating like the locals!

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Pataya | Restaurants (Thai) | Meal from € 15.00
rue Antoine Dansaertstraat, 49 | Center
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 14:30 & 18:30 – 23:30, Sat – Sun 18:30 – 23:30

If you head along from the Bourse towards Gare de Midi – either on the main Boulevard Anspach/M. Lemonnier (it’s the same road but it changes at about Place Fontinas) or the parallel rue de Midi, you hit an area with lots of second-hand book, comic, record, DVD and computer shops.

The big daddy of them all is Pele Mele, which sells second-hand books, comics, records, DVD and computers.

Behind the small street-side entrance on Boulevard M. Lemonnier is a labyrinth of different of rooms filled with goods waiting for a second life. Bibliophiles can easily lose an afternoon here as they search through the shelves for hidden treasure. Stock ranges from trashy novels to high quality art books, with different language sections – the English section is good.

The shop buys books from the public, and there are other branches in Ixelles and Waterloo.

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Pêle Mêle | Shopping | Paperbooks from € 1.00
boulevard Maurice Lemonnier, 55 | Center
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:30

This small photography gallery is located in the royal gallery, but you may miss the small entrance on the ground floor – there’s only a regular door and small sign.

The gallery spaces upstairs host regular exhibitions, tending to feature young Belgian artists with a contemporary style. The gallery also organises other public exhibitions in other locations around the city such as the Congres station and Place de l’Albertine.

Supported by local cultural authorities, photography-related businesses and media, the gallery is involved in other activities including photography courses, renting studio space and organises regular competitions.

Check the photo gallery’s blog for what’s on and photography links.

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Photo Gallery | Art & culture | Free
Galerie de la Reine 10 | Center | +32485805843
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 18:00, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 18:00 (when exhibitions on)

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

Sitting at place Sainte Catherine is well recommended when you have time to spare. This large lane with banks surrounding fountains starting at the fish restaurants and continuing up to a green patch with trees gathers a mixture of Brussels inhabitants.

All sorts of unusual things happen around this place. Next to touristic fish restaurants there is an ice cream vendor, an African restaurant and several night shops. The statues round the fountain picture fish and several reptiles. You see people walking by, young people sitting around and other interesting scenes for you to look at. Usually someone comes up to you and starts a conversation.

You can sit there for hours talking, watching and enjoying the changing city scenery. The place is a welcome change from the rest of the noisy areas in the centre. This is a nice place to visit when you want to just sit down, enjoy a long conversation, watch the people passing by or getting to know large groups of friends.

A lot of people take this spot to meet each other. So you can see groups of friends sitting there, people going away or new ones arriving. You will find there lot of good fish restaurants. Spend some time in this area to get acquainted with Brussels’ laid back city life.

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Place Sainte Catherine | Relaxing
Place Sainte Catherine | Center
24 hours 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)

There are many good Italian restaurants in Brussels, one that I can recommend in the city centre is Rugantino. Whether you are looking for a pizza, pasta, risotto or carne, Rugantino has it all.

But it’s not only the food that counts, the reason why I fancy this place is more than the food the setting itself. The furniture, the big light, the inside balcony that gives a patio feeling, the waiters, the talkative boss… if you truly like Italian charm, you’re going to love this place.

One thing is true, you might have to wait a bit for your food to appear on your table, but who cares if you’re in good company…

Buon appetito!

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Rugantino | Restaurants (Italian)
Anspachlaan 184 | Center | +3225112195
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 15:00 & 18:00 – 23:00, Sat 18:00 – 23:00

One of my favorite ways to relax is by seeing how others tire themselves. Especially when they do it in a spectacular way.

Take your drinks with you and climb the steps of the skate-ramp. There you can sit and relax on the bench, enjoying the sun while the youth is giving away a free stunt show, right at the place where the trains disappear a few meters below into the Brussels underground.

Looking for some action? Bring your own skateboard or bmx and be an acrobat yourself. The place is free and accessible to everyone.

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Skatepark | Relaxing | Free
Ursulinenplein | Center
Daily

You can’t miss this temple of Chinese goods. The astonishing view will beg you to come in for a visit. At the entrance of Brussels’ small but vibrant Chinatown, the Sun Wah is the only Chinese mega store in Brussels.

Visiting this magnificent building is a must for adventurous food loving world citizens. Admitted the one in Antwerp is a bit bigger and has more Asian stores on one street than Brussels. Although a couple of Chinese restaurants and a lot of Thai ones are located a bit further grouped together in the street right across the Bourse.

So anyway, entering it brings you immediately to a new, let’s say.. Asian atmosphere !?! You can’t help but notice how the Chinese food market clashes with other stores in Brussels. Simply the cardboard boxes marked with Chinese symbols piled carelessly along the wall of the building hints at a voyage to other surroundings.

On weekdays you’ll see the Asian expats living in Brussels: Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, … In the weekend tourists and Belgians who love practising Asian cooking styles are abundant.

At the end of the store there is a hallway with two wall to wall refrigerators with every Asian thing imaginable. Every time you go there you will discover something new. It is like a labyrinth where you can wonder at the different kinds of food this world has to offer. Most of these goods are prepared in the region of origin and shipped to Europe.

For good ingredients, cheap and nice food, special kitchen utensils and presents shop here!

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Sun Wah | Art & culture, Shopping
Rue de la Vierge Noire 2-4 | Center | +3225125833
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 18:00

Alright, it’s Saturday evening and you’re going out with a group of friends, you are hungry and longing for great food…but no one thought about making a reservation… Only a couple of steps away from the Grand Place there is already a solution to your problem, in Tapas Locas you simply cannot make reservations at all. Order the excellent sangria while waiting for a free table or go and sit right away if there are seats available.

Meat lovers, veggies, lot of appetite or only looking for a nice dessert, all of you can come along in this charming place. The menu isn’t limited to Spanish classics as costillas, chorizo frito, manchego and albondigas, there is also a variety of common Mediterranean food like Bruschettina, keftedes with tzatziki, spinache ricotta lasagna and with witlof and mussels they even have some Belgian specialities. No better way to finish the evening ordering one of the dessert tapas. The heavenly crepes, chocolate mousse or the pear-almond cake may start a fiesta in your mouth.

Each tapa costs 3.50 euro, the only thing that is mandatory is that they ask you to take at least three portions per person.

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Tapas Locas | Restaurants (Tapas) | Per tapa € 3.50
Rue du Marché au Charbon 74 | Center | +3225021268
Wed – Thu 19:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 19:00 – 00:00

Brussels most visited site together with Grand Place is the Manneken Pis. Many travellers know as well the Jeaneke Pis, but almost nobody knows that Bruxellers installed another sculpture with the same (pissing) idea.

It’s the Zinneke, a dog! Zinneke in Brussels dialect means someone of mixed origins, symbolizing the mixture of populations living in Brussels.

To me this sculpture is a funny spot to show to friends, a laugh, a way to explain Brussels. And if you are lucky, walking along the street you may find the original dog model for the sculpture: his owner Mark lives in the neighborhood!

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The Zinneke | Art & culture
Rue de Chartreux 31h | Center
24 hours daily

This spot is a bit tricky, I must confess, but I couldn’t keep for myself this excellent spot.. so if you do not have a legal residence in Belgium you won’t be able to go back to your local place with a movie, but, even so, I’m sure you won’t regret the visit!

Why is Excellence a place you should know? Because, unlike the million other video clubs around the town, it’s not dedicated to the blockbuster but to all good movies, from many different director and countries. Visiting this place will remind you that Cinema is considered as the Seventh Art.

They have an amazing stock of movies; you can spend hours in their racks. And they do not have only old movies, but also all the newest ones…

The boutique and art gallery is also exellent… so you will be able to leave with a little souvenir!

And if you’re from the city; it’s possible to keep a movie for one week… If you organise a cineclub, please: invite me!

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Video club Excellence | Art & culture, Cinemas, Relaxing | Dvd € 3.00
Bd Anspach, 94- 96 | Center
12:00 – 23:00 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.

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Walvis | Bars | Main meals under € 10.00
209 rue Antoine Dansaertstraat | Center
Daily till late