Guidebook for Ixelles
Drinks & Nightlife
You'll probably find me hanging out in this terrace,
or at Stam (opposite). Very popular with the artsy
crowd, dark and cozy interior. Great outdoor
terrace, you'll feel in southern France.
34 locals recommend
L'Athénée
2 Rue Jules BouillonYou'll probably find me hanging out in this terrace,
or at Stam (opposite). Very popular with the artsy
crowd, dark and cozy interior. Great outdoor
terrace, you'll feel in southern France.
Possibly the best beer bar in Brussels. No tourists but local crowds of artists, students and freaks. I once saw there a fox. Closes very late (I was once there at 4am).
179 locals recommend
Moeder Lambic Original
68 Rue de SavoiePossibly the best beer bar in Brussels. No tourists but local crowds of artists, students and freaks. I once saw there a fox. Closes very late (I was once there at 4am).
Not the greatest food, but the place itself is s marvel
of the de Stijl artistic movement. You'll spot some
Mondriaan-inspired lamps you'll love!
69 locals recommend
Ultime Atome
14 Rue Saint-BonifaceNot the greatest food, but the place itself is s marvel
of the de Stijl artistic movement. You'll spot some
Mondriaan-inspired lamps you'll love!
If you feel like splurging on a cocktails in thecaves of the former Vatican embassy, this is the place to go.
41 locals recommend
Humus x Hortense
2 Rue de VergniesIf you feel like splurging on a cocktails in thecaves of the former Vatican embassy, this is the place to go.
My other favourite terrace in the neighbourhood! nice mix of African and gentrified clientele. Heated terrace.
25 locals recommend
Stam
1 Rue BouréMy other favourite terrace in the neighbourhood! nice mix of African and gentrified clientele. Heated terrace.
Although not my favourite bar in the area (it's pretty gentrified), you have to try it. As all bars in Brussels, you can have breakfast/small lunch/brunch on Saturdays and some tapas in the evening.
355 locals recommend
Café Belga
18 Pl. Eugène FlageyAlthough not my favourite bar in the area (it's pretty gentrified), you have to try it. As all bars in Brussels, you can have breakfast/small lunch/brunch on Saturdays and some tapas in the evening.
1930s jazz bar with original furniture and canon cocktails. A must-see.
146 locals recommend
L'Archiduc
6 Rue Antoine Dansaert1930s jazz bar with original furniture and canon cocktails. A must-see.
More than once I found myself there at 4 am. Cool atmosphere but packed.
61 locals recommend
Bonnefooi
8 Rue des PierresMore than once I found myself there at 4 am. Cool atmosphere but packed.
Popular with leftist students and chess players, it's a
great place in wintertime (very cozy).
64 locals recommend
Le Pantin
355 Chau. d'IxellesPopular with leftist students and chess players, it's a
great place in wintertime (very cozy).
1950s bar, popular with students, artists and locals.
Michel Gondry shot some scenes there for his film "l'écume des jours" (the froth of the daydream). if Sartre was living in Brussels in 2017, Brasserie Verschueren would be indeed his home away from home.
84 locals recommend
Brasserie Verschueren
11 Parv. de Saint-Gilles1950s bar, popular with students, artists and locals.
Michel Gondry shot some scenes there for his film "l'écume des jours" (the froth of the daydream). if Sartre was living in Brussels in 2017, Brasserie Verschueren would be indeed his home away from home.
Where the Flemish arty crowd meet. Old "brown café" (Dutch for "convivial dark and homey bar").
125 locals recommend
Monk
22 Rue Sainte-CatherineWhere the Flemish arty crowd meet. Old "brown café" (Dutch for "convivial dark and homey bar").
Where I hang out with my girlfriends living downtown.
If you want to see the Flemish intelligentsia, including choreographer Anne Teresa de Keersmaekers, this is the place.
29 locals recommend
Lord Byron
8 Rue des ChartreuxWhere I hang out with my girlfriends living downtown.
If you want to see the Flemish intelligentsia, including choreographer Anne Teresa de Keersmaekers, this is the place.
Brussels Beer Project
188 Rue Antoine DansaertDowntown brewery, try the Delta (Belgian IPA).
Contrebande Bar
6 Pl. Fernand CocqVery nice bar specialised in micro-brewery beers.
if you are into hardcore, metal or rock and roll? this is
your place. 100% authentic. love it!
15 locals recommend
Magasin 4
158 Av. du Portif you are into hardcore, metal or rock and roll? this is
your place. 100% authentic. love it!
Food Scene
Supercozy after-work or after theater bistrot, summer or winter. prices are very correct, they have nice house wine and tapas. it was a former butcher's. Nice terrace.
27 locals recommend
Les Pénates
42 Rue de VergniesSupercozy after-work or after theater bistrot, summer or winter. prices are very correct, they have nice house wine and tapas. it was a former butcher's. Nice terrace.
Friends with the owner, Pierre, very laid back place with lovely 1950s vintage furniture and small snacks. Good for rainy days or for working.
Aa
51 Rue Van AaFriends with the owner, Pierre, very laid back place with lovely 1950s vintage furniture and small snacks. Good for rainy days or for working.
Fika
17 Rue de la PaixBest coffee and superbest Swedish cinnamon buns in Ixelles.
Nice meets Berlin meets London in this terrace. Please beware is full of snubs, but prices are correct.
79 locals recommend
Chez Franz
30 Av. du Haut-PontNice meets Berlin meets London in this terrace. Please beware is full of snubs, but prices are correct.
Lovely street market on Saturdays and Sundays with a plethora of food trucks.
153 locals recommend
Flagey
Lovely street market on Saturdays and Sundays with a plethora of food trucks.
Lisbon in Brussels, azulejos included. Unmissablepastéis de nata and good coffee! We love brunching here
34 locals recommend
Pâtisserie Garcia
75 Av. de la CouronneLisbon in Brussels, azulejos included. Unmissablepastéis de nata and good coffee! We love brunching here
Maison Renardy
111B Chau. de WavreBakery and coffeshop. Delicious and classy!
I have never tried a better cheesecake in my life! sweet little spot, there's a friendly dog (Cézanne) but don't give him sweets!
17 locals recommend
A.M. Sweet
4 Rue des ChartreuxI have never tried a better cheesecake in my life! sweet little spot, there's a friendly dog (Cézanne) but don't give him sweets!
Fresh and seasonal products, and a daily changing menu that varies according to the deliveries. 3 starters, a main course, and a dessert, completely organic. I love this place.
56 locals recommend
Les Filles
46 Rue du Vieux Marché aux GrainsFresh and seasonal products, and a daily changing menu that varies according to the deliveries. 3 starters, a main course, and a dessert, completely organic. I love this place.
Le Selecto
95 Rue de FlandreLove bistronomy, love selecto. Full stop.
Café des Spores
103 Chau. d'AlsembergTHE place for mushroom lovers, all year around.
Because it's totally delish and it's exactly like your Italian grandma's food.
45 locals recommend
Osteria Bolognese
49 Rue de la PaixBecause it's totally delish and it's exactly like your Italian grandma's food.
Place Eugène Flagey 8
8 Place Eugène FlageyBest fries in the city!
Consistently rated the best ramen soup in Europe in this supertiny and authentic Japanese ramen bar.
20 locals recommend
Yamato
11 Rue FrancartConsistently rated the best ramen soup in Europe in this supertiny and authentic Japanese ramen bar.
L'Horloge du Sud
141 Rue du TrônePopular African restaurant in a beautiful 1950s building.
They say the best fries in town, however the public opinion is split between here and Flagey. Beware it's just a food stall! you can sit with your fries and drink in one of the bars around.
154 locals recommend
Maison Antoine
1 Pl. JourdanThey say the best fries in town, however the public opinion is split between here and Flagey. Beware it's just a food stall! you can sit with your fries and drink in one of the bars around.
New addition to the neighbourhood. Eastern Mediterranean tapas in a very Scandinavian deco, it's becoming a locals' favourite.
12 locals recommend
Kitchen 151
145 Chau. de WavreNew addition to the neighbourhood. Eastern Mediterranean tapas in a very Scandinavian deco, it's becoming a locals' favourite.
Bistronomic restaurant, the beef tartare is to die for.
35 locals recommend
Restaurant Le Tournant, Cuisine de Saison et Vins Naturels 🍴🍷🍹
168 Chaussée de WavreBistronomic restaurant, the beef tartare is to die for.
Good Italian restaurant, very intimate (it caters to maximum 20 people).
17 locals recommend
Certo . Aussi livraison ou “à emporter” : 0473496493
48 Rue Longue VieGood Italian restaurant, very intimate (it caters to maximum 20 people).
Restaurant specialised in offal, the beef cheek stew (carbonnade) is to die for!
35 locals recommend
Viva M'Boma
17 Rue de FlandreRestaurant specialised in offal, the beef cheek stew (carbonnade) is to die for!
Bia Mara
41 Rue du Marché aux Pouletship and trendy spot for Vietnamese spring rolls. The deco is great!
Le Clan des Belges
20 Rue de la PaixGood Belgian restaurant, nice and hearty brunch!
Crab Club
7 Chaussée de WaterlooYou fancy seafood? this is the place to be!
Mer du Nord
45 Pl. Sainte-CatherineA must! try their shrimp croquettes.
Charli
34 Rue Sainte-CatherineExcellent bread and cake, famous for French clafoutis!
Arts & Culture
Former lovers' hotel in a shady street, its incredibly well-preserved art-déco interiors now boast a verycool bar. check out sometimes they have 1930s inspired parties!
7 locals recommend
Le Berger Hotel
24 Rue du BergerFormer lovers' hotel in a shady street, its incredibly well-preserved art-déco interiors now boast a verycool bar. check out sometimes they have 1930s inspired parties!
Favourite hotspot of the Belgian surrealist, the oldest
bar in Brussels . The clientele is mostly Flemish-speaking. Great in wintertime.
18 locals recommend
La Fleur en Papier Doré
55 Rue des AlexiensFavourite hotspot of the Belgian surrealist, the oldest
bar in Brussels . The clientele is mostly Flemish-speaking. Great in wintertime.
Keienveldstraat 48
48 Rue KeyenveldBirthplace of Audrey Hepburn
Sightseeing
If Brussels was Paris, this place'd be 10 times more expensive. It's a Liberty style gem. It was a Jacques Brel's favourite. Try "half and half" here (half sparkling wine half white wine).
43 locals recommend
Le Cirio
18 Rue de la BourseIf Brussels was Paris, this place'd be 10 times more expensive. It's a Liberty style gem. It was a Jacques Brel's favourite. Try "half and half" here (half sparkling wine half white wine).
La bellone is the most beautiful house of brussels, hidden away inside the bellone café. a must see!
14 locals recommend
Bellone Café
46 Rue de FlandreLa bellone is the most beautiful house of brussels, hidden away inside the bellone café. a must see!
This is the most beautiful philosophical garden I have ever seen. I will one day get married here. The whole area, while technically in Brussels, makes you travel back in time and space.
7 locals recommend
Erasmus House
31 Rue de FormanoirThis is the most beautiful philosophical garden I have ever seen. I will one day get married here. The whole area, while technically in Brussels, makes you travel back in time and space.
Shopping
Excellent tea house, try their Assouan herbal tea (or any other choice, I also love Hermes). Very stylish spot. The extra tea price is worth the quality, calm and atmosphere. Take some home!
7 locals recommend
Comptoir Florian
17 Rue Saint-BonifaceExcellent tea house, try their Assouan herbal tea (or any other choice, I also love Hermes). Very stylish spot. The extra tea price is worth the quality, calm and atmosphere. Take some home!
very good beer shop, yet a bit pricey (unfortunately microbreweries often are). Excellent choice of beers
to bring back home (400+ beers).
24 locals recommend
Beer Mania
174 Chau. de Wavrevery good beer shop, yet a bit pricey (unfortunately microbreweries often are). Excellent choice of beers
to bring back home (400+ beers).
The most famous shop of spéculoos, I love the pistachio financiers (small almond cakes).
49 locals recommend
Maison Dandoy
14 Rue Charles BulsThe most famous shop of spéculoos, I love the pistachio financiers (small almond cakes).
Consistently rated one of the most beautiful bookstores of Europe. Just stand in front of the building to find out why.
7 locals recommend
Ptyx
39 Rue LesbroussartConsistently rated one of the most beautiful bookstores of Europe. Just stand in front of the building to find out why.
Excellent vintage shop, I once bought myself a 1990s moschino dress for 40 euros here.
13 locals recommend
Isabelle Bajart
25 Rue des ChartreuxExcellent vintage shop, I once bought myself a 1990s moschino dress for 40 euros here.
Another excellent vintage shop, this one specialises
in 1920s to 1960s. Comes with a price.
11 locals recommend
Gabriele Vintage
27 Rue des ChartreuxAnother excellent vintage shop, this one specialises
in 1920s to 1960s. Comes with a price.
La Fleur du Pain - Flagey
24 Pl. Eugène FlageyExcellent French bakery, they have lunch specials.
Wijnbar Titulus
167A Chau. de WavreFine wine bar and shop (more shop than winebar though!)
Essentials
Proxy Elsensesteenweg
113 Chau. d'IxellesSupermarket open till 8.30 pm
Lidl Supermarket
138 Chau. de Wavreconvenience store open till 8 pm
Picard
135 Chau. d'IxellesStore specialised in quality ready-made frozen meals.
Everything Else
EU fans and kids will love visiting the parlamentarium! lots of gadgets are included.
32 locals recommend
Parlementarium
EU fans and kids will love visiting the parlamentarium! lots of gadgets are included.