The best bars and cafés Bruxelles - Brussel

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.

Bonnefooi ("by chance" in the local dialect...) is defined as a dance bar with DJ sets every opening night and free concerts on Wednesdays and Sundays, to the delight of a young audience. Local artists of all stripes perform here, and many international stars have also made a name for themselves. Enchanting setting and intoxicating music of all kinds (electronic, jazz...)... open until 8 a.m. on weekends! Upstairs, you can privatize the entire restaurant (50 pers. minimum) or reserve a few tables.

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.

Here is a café that has become a must in Saint-Gilles. In this large room formerly dedicated to the events of the local PS, one empties joyfully many glasses in a hubbub worthy of certain Walloon strikes. Joking aside, the dynamic team that runs the place regularly organises exhibitions, openings, concerts and DJ sets that give the place a soul of its own. At market time, it's really lively on Sundays. Nice terrace and cheap food. Come on, mate, give us a pint!

The superb old "English" pharmacy on the Mont des Arts has been transformed into a cocktail bar with a beautiful effect. The wood panelling, the shelves, the herbal and potion jars are still there, as well as the counter. It is the medication that has changed. No Belgian beers here, only cocktails of all kinds, from the classics to some very strange ones that seem to have come straight out of an alchemist's old book! Nice initiative, but a note that can quickly go up in the towers.

The Porte Noire's medieval vaulted cellars were once used as a ^16th-century convent kitchen. Now one of the very best havens for beer and whisky lovers, there's a wide selection, including a dozen on draught. The emphasis is on small-scale craft beers rather than their mass-market commercial counterparts. Live music every other Thursday night from 10pm (except in summer) and other jam sessions. The bar also celebrates St. Patrick's Day, dear to the Irish and all those who love their beverages.

The Greenlab is a real gin bar opened by Sophie Barrière and Leslie Moreau. Not far from the world record with more than 150 gins, the staff gives good advice and proposes a seasonal cocktail menu. The syrups and infusions are made in-house. The bar organizes events related to the cocktail world (Brussels Cocktail Week...). It is possible to privatize the mezzanine of 30 places. You can also take advantage of the snack bar in collaboration with the cheese factory La Fruitière, with sausages from the market, small vegetarian snacks...

Immanquable, in the middle of this great crossroads and in front of the Albert metro station! Despite that, you could almost play a game of tennis on the terrace, considering its size! The red chairs and the sign in big colored letters make you want to approach: good idea, you feel good inside too. Everything is planned to spend a pleasant moment, especially in the morning since the rising sun floods the terrace and the room with its rays... when it appears. Various drinks menu, from coffee to cocktails and catering all day long.

The wine bar (Enoteca) is the natural extension of the restaurant (Osteria) and grocery store (Negozio). This friendly address has made a name for itself with its selection of excellent vintages from the Botte region, a number of tables offering simple, tasty cuisine from the same origins, and the opening of a boutique-tasting room next door. Excellent Italian products (charcuterie, cheeses, various types of pasta...) not often found in Brussels, unique tastings and a perfectly harmonious atmosphere. An address for epicureans, yes!

For four decades, this has been the most unusual meeting place in the vicinity of the Grand Place. A death chamber, dressed all in black, as it should be, with real coffins serving as tables. This bar, far from being morbid, was first frequented by the youth of Brussels, then by tourists who have made this very special place one of their favourite haunts. People come here to drink a beer or famous house cocktails such as the Virgin's Elixir or the Demon's Sperm. To be done once, for the "pleasure" of drinking from a skull.

Fifty beers to choose from and a selection of small snacks. The restaurant is not the strongest point of the house, but one rarely goes there just to eat! La Lunette opened its doors in 1853. Its name does not refer to any eye problem... or stomach problem, but to a one-litre glass designed for beer (although the less adventurous can fill it with mineral water). This is another must-see in the beer-eating folklore, dear to the students, and which seems to please the tourists as well.

Le Coq is this little café near the Bourse that has the look of a village bar. In the great tradition of the stamcafés (these popular cafés where you come as you are to be quiet, to meet friends or to make new ones), Le Coq with its old counter, its tired benches and its wooden furniture welcomes you with open arms. A mixed clientele (old people, young people, people who have just left the office), often Dutch-speaking, meet there for a beer. But which one? The menu is long! Not to mention the beers of the month.

Bar (enough frequented by gay community) and coffee shop.

While there's no shortage of gay bars in Brussels, there's less of a shortage of lesbian bars. The Crazy Circle, opened by Axelle and Laïla, is the only one specifically geared towards lesbian women (without neglecting the queer public, LGTQIA+ and their allies). The owners' goal? To make their clientele feel comfortable and free from judgment. Although only open two nights a week, the agenda is packed with current events, with a strong emphasis on all things feminist: quizzes, open stage, karaoqueer, DJ-sets, Rainbow baby soccer...

Le Miroir is the typical local café-restaurant, far from the city centre. Some of the dishes on the menu are beer-based. At the bar, all the main labels are present and a little more, such as the Triple Karmeliet on tap, the Malheur range or the Lindemans. Or new ones, like the very local Slutte. For the anti-hops (there are some left, that we never managed to convert...), the wine list is also interesting! Or a sangria on the terrace when the weather is fine, one of those that you should only drink one glass of!

Jean-Pierre Bazan is some busy fellow. When he's not resupplying restaurateurs, he holds court for worshipers in what looks like a secret WW2 time black market operation. Don't make any mistake. He knows a thing or two about wine, with long time personal connections in the Languedoc-Roussillon, as evidenced by the numerous selections from that blessed part of France. He keeps his prices at zero inflation level (red Bordeaux range from 8 to 20 €), and trust him with his promotions for your every day pleasure. The rest of the world is not forgotten in Jean-Pierre's little planete, because it's nice to be curious. Easy to find, behind the place Flagey "paquebot".

The café is known mainly for its Friday evening blues concerts, but it has an interesting selection of beers too and is now an accredited Orval ambassador. Celis Blanche is available on draught and bottled beers include Gouden Carolus, Sint Bernardus and even XX Bitter. Bar snacks and light meals are served.

To say that this is a trendy brasserie would be an understatement. The Art Nouveau decor and atmosphere are very pleasant and the terrace offers free observation of the spectacle of passers-by on the square. But the main motivation for a visit remains the menu. The beer menu for the numerous references (90 beers, seven of which are on draught, even Maes Pils for those who suffer from agueusia...) and the food menu to enjoy a good brewery cuisine. Wi-fi available.

The Atomium restaurant is located in the highest sphere of the Atomium, offering a breathtaking view of Brussels. It offers traditional Belgian cuisine and seasonal dishes. The restaurant is spread over two levels and offers visitors a unique experience. In addition to the restaurant, the Atomium also has a terrace where visitors can enjoy a pleasant moment at the foot of Brussels' iconic monument. Gift vouchers are available for those wishing to offer a meal at the Atomium restaurant.

Le Toucan is a bar-café on Avenue Louis Lepoutre in Brussels. It comprises two neighboring addresses: Toucan Brasserie and Toucan sur Mer. Toucan Brasserie offers a classic, gourmet menu with bistronomic accents, while Toucan sur Mer focuses on seafood dishes, such as wild fish à la plancha and seafood platters prepared by Paulo Campos and his team. Both addresses also have a room on the second floor for banquets, birthdays or corporate meals.

Le Patio asbl is a dance center located in Ixelles.