The best beer bars Belgium

Not to be missed! A beer lover's HQ, this is a visual and gustatory paradise for a clientele of locals, shoulder to shoulder with the many tourists and students of the IHECS who are delighted to be in such a place. In an intimate atmosphere - candlelight, old photos and engravings on the wall - no less than 180 different drinks can be tasted. This Mecca of culture and hops is home to the Order of Manneken Pis, whose various costumes can be found at the back of the bar.

Attention, major address! This bar, one of the oldest in the capital, embodies the popular and rustic Brussels spirit. It was taken over in the summer of 2018 but nothing has changed. Its specialties are lambic, gueuze and kriek without forgetting the delicious spreads and generous salads. The history of the estaminet goes back to 1877, when the Steppé family took over the former post office. It was only after the square was narrowed that Tabora Street was created, as well as the dead end of the café, recognisable by the bird embedded in the pavement at the entrance.

Opened in 1987 by a university professor, the bar covered an existing courtyard (hence the name). Today, it perpetuates an unchanging ambience, a popular and convivial side and an eclectic quality of music. It attracts night owls until 6am! The beer flow system here consists of a cold room that cools the kegs to -2°C and a mixture of nitrogen and_CO2 that makes the beer more digestible and the foam thicker. At weekends, you'll find some not-so-youngsters dancing on the tables.

After Ghent and Antwerp, here is the Brussels "place to beer" which, as its name indicates, is dedicated to the divine hoppy beverage. As it is located right on the Anspach boulevard, it's hard to find a more central location! With 333 bottled beers and 33 draught beers, Bier Central is not short of choice. But in addition to the 366 beers (one for each day of the year), they offer typical Belgian cuisine such as mussels and fries with a local beer, Flemish-style carbonnade with beer, homemade shrimp croquettes..

Considered one of the oldest cafés in Brussels, it is said to have welcomed Charles V. That's how old it is! The furniture is rustic and the atmosphere of the bruin café warms you up in winter and refreshes your thoughts all year round. In terms of beer selection, the Vieux Spijt' is at the forefront and offers some thirty fine special beers from our region. On the plate, there are brewery classics, mussels in season and a few Greek dishes that do honour to the owner's homeland. It's a pity that the quality is sometimes so random...

Located just around the corner from Place Flagey, Le Pantin is well worth a visit. You'll find a fine list of beers to warm you up in winter, as well as a selection of teas. The decor may show its age, but that's part of the charm of this bar, far removed from the trendy café codes found in the area. The place is also a gathering place for chess and board game enthusiasts. Le Pantin celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023, and while JM, who opened the establishment, drops in from time to time, it's Tom, the son (after his sister Liza) who runs the bar.

Next to the eponymous brewery, which produces the famous Brugse Zot, a tasty lager, there's a tavern and restaurant where you can sample a wide range of beers. But also regional and seasonal dishes of beer specialties (such as pork cheeks with Brugse Zot Double), around a roaring fire in winter. Everything is homemade, and the menu changes every month. The terrace offers a relaxing break in fine weather, while the beautiful panoramic view of Bruges from the third floor and the store are its main assets.

Open every day, although not as early as it used to be, La Brocante has retained all its old bistro cachet, with its period tiling and wooden furniture. Historic locals mingle with antiques enthusiasts and tourists on the prowl. For sustenance (flea markets make you hungry), you can order a sandwich, a croque, a salad or a sausage stoemp. Or simply drink a beer (there are around a hundred to choose from, including excellent gueuzes and krieks) and enjoy the atmosphere of Les Marolles, the soul of Brussels.

During the Second World War, the building was used as an underground location by the Resistance. It has kept this rebellious side embodied today by an artistic, bohemian, young and sometimes penniless population. The establishment was founded by Louis Verschueren in 1880! Its old café décor, with its post-war counter and its small canteen tables, makes it an important place in the life of Saint-Gilles, often full to bursting. One comes there to taste a beer, to read while drinking a coffee, to meet with friends and to remake the world.

An exceptional caberdouche in the heart of Brussels, opposite the church of the same name and next to the Grand Place. And yet it's the opposite of a tourist trap, both in terms of the welcome and the menu. It's the ideal place to immerse yourself in Brussels culture, relax after a day's sightseeing or simply enjoy a good beer with friends. The choice is vast and the prices very reasonable. A must-visit for anyone looking to capture the soul of Brussels. Add it to your list of must-sees for an authentic stay.

Born of crowdfunding, the Company set up its tanks in 2017 in the Het Eilandje district, the oldest port area. ABC prides itself on being Antwerp's only independent brewery. Respectful of the environment, it focuses on all re-use possibilities and uses 100% green electricity. The brewery produces Seef, a blond, cloudy beer whose origins date back to the ^16th century. Come and taste it on site among the vats. You can also eat here!

While brewing at Deca's Woeste facility until 2005, Nino Bacelle and Guido Devos then crossed the language border to establish their facilities in Dottignies, near Mouscron. At De Ranke, the importance of hops is not negligible. Hop extracts are out of the question. Here, we use real hop cones from Poperinge and Warneton. Their reputation is well established, and in their tap room you can try out their XX Bitter, Noir de Dottignies or Guldenberg, a typical abbey beer.

A must for all lovers of Duvel queen beer: the Duvelorium is located just above the Historium. This bar specializes in Belgian beers. Enjoy a moment of relaxation in a medieval tavern, and try the astonishing tastings combining beers and pralines. You can also choose another beer from the extensive menu. To be tasted on site or sold in the boutique. Gift sets with bottle and collector's glass are also available. Plus: the panoramic terrace overlooking the market square.

The bistro offers a careful selection of Belgian craft beers and monthly promotions from other European countries. You can even find American beers! About forty beers are available on draught, including the Brussels faro, lambic and kriek, which are drawn with a hand pump. As an accompaniment, we let ourselves be tempted by one of the organic snacks and light meals, in a chic and relatively contemporary setting. Its reputation is almost unquestionable, if only to distinguish it from its big sister in Saint-Gilles.

A great place in a contemporary setting, ideal for a drink with friends or a tête-à-tête... before or after a film at the Sauvenière cinema. Or simply when you feel like it. The drinks menu is very comprehensive, including many organic wines and a range of pékèts. If you're hungry, don't hesitate to order one of the dishes from the à la carte menu or the suggestion board - they're delicious! As the chef is a vegetarian, there's no shortage of vegetarian options. Les Grignoux also has its own beer... eponymous and beautifully amber.

A true benchmark for the whole of Brabant-Wallon! This vast 150^m2 space houses a large counter featuring twelve beers on tap (ten of which are fixed) and a long list of two hundred Belgian beers (as well as seasonal beers, which are by their very nature ephemeral). The highly professional team offers advice to the undecided. The premises regularly host small, spontaneous concerts: all in keeping with the pop-rock ambience of this bistro, which attracts both passing beer lovers and local students.