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

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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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

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

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 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

It took me long time to decide whether I’ll write about this place or not…

Yes, being a Spotter means giving all little secrets… but there’s some secrets you want to keep for yourself….

Anyway, as you see: here I am with this article…

How come? When I proposed to my friends (even the ones that do have a car) to visit this park, they are usually not very enthusiastic to drive or take a bus over there. It has become clear to me that only the highly motivated amongst you (I can even say that they’re the chosen ones) will take the time to spend few hours in this park, so it won’t become overcrowded soon!

What is this place about? It’s one of the farms that we still have in Brussels. And this one is one of the two located in Uccle.

You’ll have a sit in the orchard, walk till the Source, enjoy the prairie… The most important thing to know is the feeling… easyness, happyness, ….

And it’s open all year round, non stop….

So…. Enjoy!

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Parc Fond’Roy | Relaxing | Free
Rue Jacques Pastur (in front of nr 88-90) | The South
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Yamina El Atlassi

The park is situated at the South entrance of the City, in the border of Soignies Forest.

While I was working in the area, this place used to be the spot to have some time off away from all the stress at the office.

The biodiversity of all species of the region is well highlighted, insects, plants, birds… and make it a nice spot to go with children, too! The park is situated next to the Silex Domein, a private property you can freely access on Saturday (09:00 – 18;00)

It’s one of those place I like to go for some meditation, knowing that it’s big and not crowded at all.

When I’m there I forgot about time, weather, life issues…. a nice interlude in the city life…

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Park Tournay-Solvay | Relaxing | Free
201, chaussée de la Hulpe | The South
08:30 – 17:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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

This is one of my favourite places at the moment!

Jynga is a Portuguese pastry shop and tea house, but the two tenders are from Brazil and Angola. So I would define it as a Lusitanian place and a dangerous place if you’re on diet….

The building where it’s located is a very beautiful house of Saint-Gilles, built by Ernest Blérot and known as “Ensemble Blérot” as part of other houses of the street …

The design of the tea house is cosy and hip and bright, even if it’s raining outside (special thanks to E. Blerot and the Art Nouveau technique!).

It’s the perfect place for an afternoon tea with your lover or for a chat with your best friend, a brunch on Sunday is also a good moment with the same people, or the kids…

In the title I mention the “kitsch” side… I won’t tell you about it… go and have a look at the cakes in the shop’s window!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Jynga | Coffee & tea, Snacks
5, rue Vanderschrick | The South | +3225347061
Mon – Tue & Thu – Fri 07:30 – 18:30, Sat – Sun 08:30 – 18.30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels

Image by Sarah Van Parys

This area of Saint Gilles is evolving fast. Every time I walk around in the area, it seems as if a new café, restaurant or shop has opened up. A quick note on the area: Saint Gilles commune is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful in Brussels. It’s dominated by two large late 19th/early 20th century buildings (the fort-like prison and the grandiose Hôtel de Ville) at the top, there are plenty of elegant maisons de maître and the Parc de Forêt is nearby. The streets are full of cars and people, and it’s great! It’s dynamic, sometimes chaotic.

APDM (short for: “Au Pays des Merveilles”) serves up various sorts of bagels with a wide range of toppings to choose from. There are veggie, meaty, cheesy and fishy toppings – enough for anyone’s taste! They have many desserts and they sell lots of fresh juices and milkshakes. The staff is extremely friendly and welcoming. They also show works of art on the walls from a different artist every month.They have a terrace at the front and the back if the sun’s out!

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APDM | Art & culture, Snacks, Restaurants (Bagels) | Bagel from € 3.00
Avenue Jean Volders 42 | The South
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 17:30 , Sat – Sun 09:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Brussels