When locals in Brussels speak of “La Cambre”, they usually refer to both the beautiful Cistercian Abbey close to the Ixelles ponds, the Abbaye de la Cambre, and the popular park nearby, the Bois de la Cambre. Fewer people might know that it is also the name of a prestigious visual arts school hosted within a portion of the ancient abbey’s buildings, thus its name La Cambre.
La Cambre School of Visual Arts was founded in 1927 by famous Belgian architect Henry Van de Velde, well known in architecture history because he also founded the Weimar School of Decorative Arts in 1908 and so laid the groundwork for the first Bauhaus. You can see several examples of his work in Brussels, one of which is the modernist Hôtel Van de Velde in Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, not far from the Abbey, that became an extension of the La Cambre School of Visual Arts in the 1980s. This is no coincidence! However, the Abbey’s buildings still host the School’s headquarters (at number 21) along with its library, cafeteria, some workshops, an auditorium for lectures and performances.
So if you happen to visit the historic site of the Abbaye de la Cambre, which I warmly recommend, you might meet groups of students strolling around its beautiful gardens or relaxing in its romantic courtyards. I love to have a rest on the garden’s benches and observe these lively students who are sometimes a real inspiration for me in terms of clothing style.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Jackie is a minimalist café with the smell of toasted coffee and freshly baked pastry (including a carrot cake you will want to steal the recipe for).
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292 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
✓ 292 Insider Tips from our local Spotters