Brussels is an iconic capital and the most important city of Belgium. With natural beauty on one hand and heritage glories on the other; the city dazzles with tourists round the year. There are palaces, churches, and museums that leave everyone in awe while markets, local culture, and food are equally fascinating here.
Once you have covered all these spots and are done for the day, come to the buzzing cafes in Brussels to rejuvenate, unwind, and enjoy a chilled out time with your near and dear ones.
15 Popular Cafes In Brussels
There are many happening cafes that offer best of local food, beverages and idyllic ambiance to relax after a long day. However, choosing the best ones in the city can be a rigorous task.
Listed below are some of the cool cafes in Brussels where you would love to go and spend your quality time at.
1. The Sister Brussels Café
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The Sister Brussels Café is one of the most popular names in the list of best cafes in Brussels. This is a unique café, serving varieties of gluten-free and vegan dishes. From vegan cakes, vegan beer, gluten-free wraps and sandwiches; this café delights the heart of every foodie, especially health conscious people.
Located close to Grand Palace, this is one of the first zero waste cafes in Brussels, aiming at minimal wastage of food.
Location: Rue Chair et Pain 3, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Must try: Olive tapenade sandwich, sesame falafel wrap and Avocado buddha bowl
Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm. On Saturdays the café is opened till 11:30 pm and on Sundays the café opens at 9 am.
Must Read: 10 Best Things To Do In Brussels To Embark On A Historical Journey
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2. OR Café
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For authentic and best quality coffee, come to OR Café. This is one of the finest roasteries in Brussels, serving authentic coffee and freshly roasted coffee beans.
Sit and relax in their sprawling open terrace while relishing varieties of coffees and scrumptious accompaniments like sandwiches, cakes, and croissants.
Location: Rue A. Ortsstraat 9, 1000 Brussel, Belgium
Must try: Single origin espresso, goat cheese toast and carrot cake
Opening hours: 8 am to 6 pm
3. Café Capitale
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From gluten-free cakes, hot chocolate to classic coffees, Café Capitale delights every visitor with its cozy ambiance, great food, and hospitality.
This is one of the cafes in Brussels with WIFI and free newspaper service that you can have an access to while relishing mouth-watering European delicacies.
Location: Rue du Midi 45, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Must try: Blueberry cheesecake, sweet bagels and iced café latte
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 8 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays; the café opens at 9 am.
Suggested Read: 10 Best Romantic Places In Brussels For Adding More Spark To Your Holiday In 2022
4. Kaffabar
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For a quick yet refreshing breakfast, head to Kaffabar – one of the most popular cafes in Brussels. Their signature dish being quiche; which is served with bread roll and fresh salad; this café is best known for its sumptuous brunch or breakfast platter comprising of homemade bread, jam, fresh juice, cheese plate and exotic coffees.
The owner has a cute dog as a café pet, who cuddles with all visitors. So, if you are a dog lover, it is the perfect place for you to relax and chill out.
Location: Place Rouppe 1, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Must try: Veggie quiche, ceasar salad and Chemex-brewed Burundi
Opening hours: 8 am to 6 pm, on all days except Sundays.
5. Café la Brocante
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Great hospitality, friendly staff, classic beer collection, and food that is complete value for money; pretty much describe Café la Brocante. Located beside the flea market of Place du Jeu de Balle, this café opens early in the morning and is extremely popular among tourists and locals.
So, if you are planning a city tour in Brussels early in the morning and looking for a sumptuous breakfast to start your day, you know where to go.
Must try: Belgian omelette, charbonnade (beef cooked in beer) and Brocante and Tuna sandwich.
Location: Rue Blaes 170, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Opening hours: 5 am to 6 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, the café is opened till 9 pm.
Suggested Read: These 10 Best Craft-Beer Bars In Brussels Will Leave You Wanting For More
6. Forcado
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Forcado is best known for authentic Portuguese and Belgium dishes. Serving authentic Belgian pastries, waffles and pastas, since 1982, Forcado is a classic place to hang out with friends and folks.
Everything is home made here and one can even opt for wide varieties of gluten free and dairy free dishes.
Location: Chaussée de Charleroi 196, 1060 Saint-Gilles, Belgium
Must try: Belgian style pasta with speculoos and lemon pasteis,
Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm. The café is closed on Mondays.
7. Workshop Café
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If you are looking for a place to spend some quiet ‘me’ time, relax, read a book or catch up some work; Workshop Café is the best option. Spread over two floors, this café has large work spaces, free WIFI and great food and beverages.
Relish their soups, bagels, wraps, and coffee while working or flipping through pages of your favourite book.
Location: Avenue Louise 146, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
Must try: Cappuccino and fresh sandwich
Opening hours: 8 am to 7 pm, on all days except Sundays.
Suggested Read: 14 Best Restaurants In Brussels 2022 That Offer A Glimpse Into The City’s Vibrant Food Scene!
8. Aksum Coffee House
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As one of the most sought-after places to hang out and eat in Brussels, Aksum Coffee House is popular among locals and tourists for its authentic and best quality Ethiopian coffee.
Made from organically grown single origin beans; Aksum Coffee House can give any 5-star luxury coffee shop a run for their money.
Location: Rue des Chapeliers 17, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Must try: Passion fruit tart and double espresso
Opening hours: 9am to 6pm
9. Parlor Coffee
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With a sprawling terrace to chill out, Parlor Coffee is another name in the group of best Brussels café. They roast their own coffee, assuring the best taste and their Japanese tea is a hot favourite among tea lovers.
Cozy décor, relaxing music, and free WIFI will make you feel rejuvenated, every time you visit here.
Location: Chaussée de Charleroi 203, 1060 Saint-Gilles, Belgium
Must try: Bagel sandwich and Japanese tea
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm
Suggested Read: Shopping In Belgium: Ten Places To Shop For Fantastic Chocolates To Chic Clothing
10. 1030 Café
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A well-stocked bar, live music and friendly staff are what you will get at 1030 café. Owned by two chef brothers; 1030 Café is certainly a name in the list of best cafes in Brussels, Belgium.
Relish the exotic beer and wine collection, try their homemade cakes while you spend some memorable moments during your Brussels holiday.
Location: Avenue Jan Stobbaerts 100, 1030 Schaerbeek, Belgium
Must try: Hand crafted cocktails and cheese board.
Opening hours: From Tuesday to Saturday; from 10: 30 am to midnight
11. Maison Renardy
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Try traditional Belgian breakfast here at Maison Renardy- a family-run café in Brussels. Serving homemade pastries, chocolates, exotic tea, and coffee; Maison Renardy is the perfect place to chill out.
Along with buzzing crowd and ambiance, this place has welcoming staff who takes personal care of each and every visitor.
Location: Chaussée de Wavre 111, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
Must try: Traditional Belgian breakfast comprising of croissant, jam, homemade bread and fresh juice. Do not miss their homemade chocolates.
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 6 pm. The café is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Suggested Read: 10 Beaches In Belgium That You Must Visit On Your Trip
12. Chicago Café
This is a colourful café in Brussels, serving local and European delicacies. Vibrant looking furniture, friendly staff, funky décor and dedicated kid’s corner make this a perfect place to hangout with family.
Not to miss their wide varieties of food menu comprising pancakes, French toasts, croque, salad and bread. They have an in-house bakery, famous for artisanal cakes and quiches and the place offer vegan lunch buffet on every weekend.
Location: 1000, Rue de Flandre 45, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Must try: Quesadilla, black pudding and French toast
Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm
13. Café Belga
Situated opposite to Ixelles Ponds; Café Belga is a one of the most fascinating places to eat in Brussels, Belgium. Soak in the sun in their open terrace and relish their tea, coffee, bagels and sandwiches.
Housed in the historic Art Deco building; Café Belga organises indoor concerts and live music shows for all.
Location: Place Eugène Flagey 18, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
Must try: Chamomile tea and Pecan pie
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 2 am. The café is opened till 3:30 am on Saturdays.
Suggested Read: Belgium Food 2022: The 10 Mouth-Watering Delicacies You Must Try!
14. Mokafe
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Located inside Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, Mokafe is another name in the list of must try café in Brussels. Serving best of European delicacies; this place welcomes all foodies with wide arms.
If you are in search of good food in a value for money café in Brussels, probably this is the most apt choice for you. From quiche to baguette, waffles to croque; the place has got it all.
Location: Galerie du Roi 9, 1000 Brussel, Belgium
Must try: Tarte tatin with ice cream and chèvre salad
Opening hours: 7: 30 am to 11 pm
15. Peck 47
Serving global cuisine and their healthy variants; Peck 47 is quite a famous hotspot in the city of Brussels. With all day breakfast menu, waffles, ciabatta, waffles, burgers, cakes and wide varieties of juices and smoothies; Peck 47 is one of the best breakfast spots in the city.
If you are shortlisting the popular cafes in Brussels, Belgium; this ought to be in your list.
Location: Rue du Marché aux Poulets 47, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Must try: Egg hemingway, chorizo waffle and pistachio cake.
Opening hours: 9 am to 10 pm
Further Read: 15 Festivals In Belgium In 2022 That Will Fill Your Life With Unparalleled Jubilance
Now, when you have this list of some of best cafes in Brussels in hand, you can plan a few evenings in some of these places to make your vacation worthwhile. We hope we have succeeded in simplifying your itinerary preparation for the trip to Brussels.
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A book lover and fun-loving, overtly emotional mom with a wanderlust soul, Sukanya has completed her Master Degree in Geography and currently perusing her passion for writing as a profession. Nothing detoxes her more than trying new recipes and travelling to offbeat places is ultimate Therapy for her.
