Wining & dining

LA FLEUR EN PAPIER DORÉ €

This century-old pub, the beloved watering hole of René Magritte and other artists, is as authentic as they come. It’s the perfect place for a Belgian beer.

Stalingrad

Rue des Alexiens 55 lafleurenpapierdore.be

LES GENS QUE J’AIME €

A cute, curious, informal bar with a decent selection of beers and cocktails. If there is space, sit upstairs on one of the old sofas while gazing at the crowd downstairs. Bourse

Rue du Midi 15

BEURSCAFÉ €

This theatre bar opens its rooftop in summer and for special occasions, giving you a nice view over Brussels. They often also throw some live music, dance or theatre into the mix as well. Sainte-Catherine & Saint-Géry Rue Auguste Orts 20/28 beursschouwburg.be

MUG €

Our favourite place for a coffee, right across BOZAR (see page 44). They serve a great cup of joe and even better pastries and quiches. Museum Quarter

Rue Ravenstein 20 mugcoffee.be

L’ARCHIDUC € €

A hidden jazz bar in the centre of town. On weekend nights, talented musicians often take to the stage. Check the online calendar. Sainte-Catherine & Saint-Géry Rue Antoine Dansaert 6 archiduc.net

BARBETON € €

A hip cocktail bar that attracts students as well as young professionals and, during the day, even senior citizens. Its name means Bar Concrete, describing its industrial interior. Sainte-Catherine & Saint-Géry

Rue Antoine Dansaert 114 barbeton.be

DELIRIUM € €

A tourist’s staple. This huge bar, an outlet of the eponymous beer brand, can be quite packed, but that only makes it cosier. Order the Delirium Tremens beer, but be careful: it has an ABV of 8.5 per cent.

Îlot Sacré

Impasse de la Fidélité 4 deliriumvillage.com

BRUSSELS BEER PROJECT € €

Brussels Beer Project is creating wildly popular, experimental microbrews. In its taproom, you can taste them all, poured to perfection. It also has taprooms in Paris and Tokyo. Sainte-Catherine & Saint-Géry

Rue Antoine Dansaert 188 beerproject.be

CAFÉ MORT SUBITE € €

Café Mort Subite was the birthplace of the Mort Subite beer, the most famous Gueuze beer, a typical bruxellois variety. Try this bitter brew here in this traditional tavern.

Îlot Sacré

Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères 7 alamortsubite.com

LA PHARMACIE ANGLAISE € € €

This cocktail bar is like a giant cabinet of curiosities. The walls are packed with weird (sometimes scary) things and they know how to shake a great cocktail.

Museum Quarter

Coudenberg 66 lapharmacieanglaise.com