Ixelles – Local tips (snacks)

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)!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Delecta | Bars, Snacks | Beer € 2.00
Rue Lannoy, 2 | Ixelles
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 01:00, Sat 11:00 – 02:00

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.

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

Do you know this feeling? You want to eat this particular dish that you use to eat when you were still leaving 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”.

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

Bsaha (Arabic word to say ‘bon appetit’)

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Perle D’Orient | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Moroccan) | Soup € 3.00
rue Malibran, 23 | Ixelles
Mon – Fri

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Rue Jourdan | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants
Rue Jourdan | Ixelles
Early breakfast – late dinner daily

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Sounds | Bars, Music, Snacks
Rue de la Tulipe, 28 | Ixelles
Mon – Sat 20:00 – 04:00

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 chico bello, mozzarella-tomato with sweet peppers and fried aubergine slices, divine.

When it’s nice weather 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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Therese et Dominique | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Baguette € 3.50
Dejonckerstraat 23 | Ixelles
Mon – Sat