Dominique’s guidebook
favourite bars
the area is packed with cool, traditional bars; breweries
packed, loud music, plenty of beers, you can eat various sorts of pasta in the restaurant at the end of the bar
125 locals recommend
Monk
22 Rue Sainte-Catherinepacked, loud music, plenty of beers, you can eat various sorts of pasta in the restaurant at the end of the bar
Au Laboureur
108 Rue de Flandretraditional old Brussels café, nice terrasse, just around the corner
art deco bar, occasional live music, initially opened by Belgian singer Arno who lives two blocks from my apartment and can often be spotted at Ste Catherine
146 locals recommend
L'Archiduc
6 Rue Antoine Dansaertart deco bar, occasional live music, initially opened by Belgian singer Arno who lives two blocks from my apartment and can often be spotted at Ste Catherine
Skylab
9 Quai au Bois à Brûlerfashionable cocktail bar
La Machine
2 Pl. Saint-Gérylively + occasional live music
Au Soleil
86 Rue du Marché au Charbon Kolenmarktold café in the LGBTI district
Beer Cafes
wouldn't be Brussels if cafes did not offer over 100 different beers
a Brussels institution, the most recent addition: nice design, staff provides good tailored advice
164 locals recommend
Moeder Lambic
8 Pl. Fontainasa Brussels institution, the most recent addition: nice design, staff provides good tailored advice
old place; really packed, plenty of beer choice in addition to the beer of the week ... and because, unless you speak Dutch, you will not be able to pronounce the name correctly
22 locals recommend
Poechenellekelder
5 Rue du Chêneold place; really packed, plenty of beer choice in addition to the beer of the week ... and because, unless you speak Dutch, you will not be able to pronounce the name correctly
Brussels Beer Project
188 Rue Antoine Dansaertlocal brewery
Café Walvis
209 Rue Antoine Dansaertnice atmosphere, lovely terrace by the Canal, decent food
Historical Bars
Toone
6 Imp. SchuddeveldThe Brussels marionette theatre is at the back
À la Bécasse
11 Rue de Taboraspeciality of Lambic beers (no gas)
old bar with several small rooms, lots of old pictures, posters and objects
18 locals recommend
La Fleur en Papier Doré
55 Rue des Alexiensold bar with several small rooms, lots of old pictures, posters and objects
L’Imaige Nostre-Dame
8 Rue du Marché Aux Herbessmall place, mostly packed with expats
Favourite Restaurants
all in walking distance … for some I suggest you book in advance
Brasserie with Belgian specialties: mussels, carbonades, americain, good meat
55 locals recommend
Le Pré Salé
20 Rue de FlandreBrasserie with Belgian specialties: mussels, carbonades, americain, good meat
Viva M'Boma
17 Rue de Flandretrendy, quality cuisine with a twist
pasta to be customized: you choose the size, the sauce and the cheese … décor is grand mother's home
BAVET
1 Pl. Sainte-Catherinepasta to be customized: you choose the size, the sauce and the cheese … décor is grand mother's home
very good atypical Italian restaurant, limited menu (changes every two week), very small (book in the front room only)
SIGNORA AVA
92 Rue de Flandrevery good atypical Italian restaurant, limited menu (changes every two week), very small (book in the front room only)