Image by Wouter Spitters

This place might NOT be the typical Greek restaurant with Corinthian pillars and dancing waiters, but it’s definitely one of my favorite spots to score a typical Greek dish when I’m in the Midi region. No fancy inside, this is a Greece style taverna.

Go into the kitchen to check out for yourself what the day dishes are – they don’t have a menu – two minutes later a huge portion is served at your table. Excellent stuff is the stuffed pepper and the moussaka, which goes along very well with a glass of malamatina retsina.

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Athenes | Restaurants (Greek) | Meal € 8.00
Rue de l’Argonne 22 | The South | +3225382113
Tue – Sun 11:00 – 22:30

Image by Seán Kerrigan

I loved the idea of  this place before I’d ever been. A one man, open kitchen firing out made-to-order delicacies all based on the glorious mushroom? Even the creme bruléé? Surely, it would prove a disappointment; a one trick gimmick designed for birthday parties and garden gnomes? Happily, it is a success on nearly every level.

The restaurant’s warm welcome and cosy setting match the inviting smells and inventive wine list in getting bellies rumbling. So just how many dishes can you get out of a fungus? Enough to keep our merry party of 5 all happy and eager for the next dish anyway. Groups are recommended to go for an ‘ensemble’ which basically means following the whims of the chef. But proper order is followed and the result is definitely a square meal, not show cooking. An autumn walk in the forest with some successful hunting thrown in about covers the fare on offer, all imaginative and delicious. And not a smurf in sight…

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Café des Spores | Restaurants | Dinner + drinks for 2 € 60
Chaussée d’Alsemberg 103 | The South | +3225341303
18:00 – 22:00 daily

Image by Wouter Spitters

Posto al sole, not to be confused with another place in the sun with the same name in Schaarbeek, is another winner in my quest for reasonably priced and tasty pizza outside the city center (see also the Cosi Com’e article).

Located on square Bethlehem the restaurant is still within walking distance from Midi, the Marolles or the vibrant Parvis. For those that don’t want to walk, at Midi you can take tram 81 and a couple stops later you arrive right in front of your destination.

The pizza is tasty, made with a smile and – always important because it’s a good sign – also approved by the Italians living in the neighborhood. Have a chat with the sympathic owner, Momo… even when the weather is down, he keeps a nice vibe alive.

And when the weather is nice, go sit outside on the terrace on the square, and enjoy your meal in a place… in the sun.

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Posto al Sole | Restaurants (Pizza & pasta)
Chaussée de Forest, 122 | The South | +32484708958
Tue – Fri 12:00 – 15:00 & 18:00 – 23:00, Sat – Sun 18:00 – 23:00

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!)

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Apero Photomatic | Bars | Free
Chaussée d’Alsemberg, 172 | The South | +3225377159
Sun 18:30 – 23:00

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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