Occupying the ground floor of the magnificent Art Deco Flagey building — once home to the Belgian national broadcasting service — Cafe Belga has become the de facto living room of Ixelles. The expansive terrace on Flagey square is one of Brussels' great people-watching perches, a panoramic theatre of joggers, students, dog walkers, and the beautifully distracted. Inside, the original architectural details survive beneath layers of convivial wear. The beer list is solid Belgian, the coffee is strong, and the crowd shifts seamlessly from laptop workers by day to aperitif drinkers by dusk. It is democratic in the best Brussels tradition.
Location
Ixelles, Brussels
Map
Insider Intel
A Vedett Extra Blond on the terrace is the quintessential Cafe Belga experience. For something richer, the Orval — that singular Trappist with its wild yeast character — suits the contemplative mood of an afternoon here.
Late Sunday morning, when Flagey square fills with brunch-seekers and the weekend edition crowd. The terrace catches afternoon sun beautifully. Saturday evenings before heading to dinner are equally rewarding.
Place Eugene Flagey 18, served by buses 38, 59, 60 and tram 81. Beers four to seven euros, cocktails around ten. Cards accepted. The terrace fills fast on sunny days — arrive early or be patient. DJ sets on weekend evenings shift the energy from cafe to bar.