Art Deco cafe
Le Verschueren in Brussels' Saint-Gilles has the Art Deco facade and the simple interior. A century-old neighbourhood cafe with terrace on the Parvis, late hours and a local crowd.
Signature drink: Belgian craft beer
Food: Snacks
Brown cafe
Billie in Brussels' Sainte-Catherine reopened the former Monk space in February 2024 under Dries Heyman, Leentje Bruyninckx and Steven De Visscher. Brown-cafe layout retained; freshened bar, green-roofed terrace, deep Belgian beer list.
Signature drink: Belgian craft and Trappist beers
Food: Snacks
Belgian beer bar
Le Poechenellekelder in Brussels sits opposite Manneken Pis with a marionette-decorated interior. The carte runs 180 Belgian beers including lambics, gueuze and the full Trappist range.
Signature drink: Lambic, gueuze, Trappist
Food: Snacks, croquettes
Speakeasy cocktail barMarollesWed-Sun 17:00 to 02:00, closed Mon-Tue
Plumette in Brussels Marolles is the intimate speakeasy on Rue de l Epee. The 1930s-styled room pours classic and bespoke cocktails and was Belgium's only bar in the Top 500 World's Best Bars 2025 list.
Signature drink: Tailor-made cocktails alongside classics in a 1930s speakeasy room
Food: Cocktail-bar snacks
Jazz cocktail bar
L'Archiduc in Brussels' Dansaert has been the jazz temple since 1937. Art Deco interior, live music every Saturday and Sunday at 17:00, cocktails poured from 16:00 to 05:00.
Signature drink: Classic Manhattan
Food: Bar snacks
Belle Epoque cafe-bar
Le Cirio in Brussels has been pouring the half en half (white wine and sparkling) since Francesco Cirio opened in 1886. Belle Epoque interior beside the Bourse, marble tables, no music.
Signature drink: Half en half
Food: Snacks, salads