One thing I like about Brussels is its historical charm; it's an old city with an interesting past. The city-center is full of beautiful historical buildings and is well-worth visiting. When I first walked around in Brussels, I discovered another charming aspect of the city - its passages, also known as the "Impasses" in French; hidden dead end routes, which you can find in all corners of the center.
Indeed, Brussels has a few narrow alleys and impasses that are beyond charming, giving you a small town feel, where you can step into the past (almost literally). I'm not talking about famous and obvious passages such as the Galeries royales St-Hubert (which are absolutely gorgeous and a must-see in Brussels, of course). I'm talking about hidden ones. My favorite being the Rue de la Cigogne (photo) in St-Catherine. So cute! Its entrance arch, little houses, old cobblestones, the trees... adorable. There's also the famous impasses leading to old-school bars L’Imaige Nostre-Dame or Au Bon Vieux Temps, which adds to the historical discoveries. Find these hidden passages and impasses, and step into Brussels' past!
Rue de la Cigogne
€
free
Find your way with 292 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
With an extravagant vintage decore, the bar takes its name from Queen Fabiola, a Spanish noblewoman who was a very beloved Queen consort of the Belgians.
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With a cozy interior and a pleasant scent of toasted coffee beans, Caleo offers different options for brunch, from viennoiseries to delicious pancakes.
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The name Nenu comes from the Vietnamese concept of “an nhau”, a style of drinking and eating culture, sharing small and large plates with friends & family.
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If you come with a group, I suggest taking the “Moriawase” (Japanese for “assortment”), a larger plate that is easier to share and to try different things.
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Peaking at my neighbors' plates, I decided to try the bass with garlic oil, ginger, and furikake, and the tartare de boeuf with pepper mousse and pickles on the side.
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The stars of the menu are the homemade fluffy pancakes - an explosion of flavors, which come in different flavors, including a tiramisu and matcha version.
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As a meat lover, I absolutely enjoyed the dishes based on Iberic pork, including the spare ribs and the Jiang Rou Bao, which literally melted in my mouth.
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At Piola the specialty of the house is the “Siciliana o’ Cornicione” pizza, but it is only for the bravest: it comes with a ricotta cheese stuffed crust.
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Mexican dishes with popular central American influences. But be ready to share: the options are way too many (and delicious) to just get one dish.
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One bite and you will forget all about your next day’s meetings or other adult-life tasks. Crispy fries and fried chicken come as an extra...
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If beer is not your cup of tea, and you fancy some charcuterie boards, then Etiquette is the place for you with its vast selection of wines from all over.
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Kaiju are giant monsters featured in Japanese fantasy and science fiction films and television programs. Once I stepped into this place, it all made sense.
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292 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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