Discover Brussels’s 200 best Local Soul spots for your trip

Parvis de Saint-Gilles

Settle onto the Parvis de Saint-Gilles, the sociable square at the heart of its namesake neighbourhood. Grab a terrace seat, watch local life pass, then wander nearby streets of Art Nouveau townhouses.

Matonge

Step into Matonge, Brussels' vibrant African quarter in Ixelles. Browse fabric shops and groceries along Chaussée de Wavre, then sit down for a Congolese meal or an evening drink.

Flagey

★ 4.4 · 167 reviews

Step into Flagey, the lively Ixelles square where locals gather around the ponds. Browse the market stalls, then grab a coffee on a terrace and stroll the water's edge.

Marché de la Place du Châtelain

★ 4.2 · 758 reviews

Wander the Marché de la Place du Châtelain, Ixelles' friendly Wednesday market. Graze on hot food stalls and pick up fresh produce, bread, cheese and charcuterie from the local vendors.

Centro Cabraliego

★ 4.4 · 591 reviews

Step into Centro Cabraliego, a Spanish bar with a loud, authentic atmosphere. Order generous plates and drinks at low prices, and bring cash and patience for the service.

Marollen

Explore the Marollen, Brussels' proudly working-class quarter below the Palais de Justice. Hunt through the flea market and antique shops, then ride up for views over the city.

Ardense Jagerspleinmarkt

★ 4.3 · 894 reviews

Join the Friday-evening crowd at Ardense Jagerspleinmarkt, a Schaerbeek neighbourhood tradition. Sample food stalls, browse the produce vendors, and have a drink by the playground like the local families do.

Python - Beer Cellar

★ 4.8 · 560 reviews

Discover Python, a small beer cellar tucked into a residential corner of Schaerbeek. Work through the craft taps in a quiet, welcoming room or grab a seat outside on a mild evening.

Josaphat Park

★ 4.5 · 7,470 reviews

Head to Josaphat Park in Schaerbeek, a spacious park of ancient trees and rolling paths. Cross the romantic bridge, visit the small animal farm and finish with a drink at the café.

Parc Tenbosch

★ 4.7 · 2,147 reviews

Step through the walls of Parc Tenbosch, a tucked-away green retreat in Ixelles. Follow its hilly paths past mature trees and flower beds, then settle on a bench with a book or a coffee.

Parc de Forest

★ 4.3 · 4,192 reviews

Head to Parc de Forest, a broad green space with open lawns and shaded woodland paths. Wander its gentle slopes, watch for noisy parrots in the trees, and unwind at the guinguette.

Georges Henripark

★ 4.5 · 4,184 reviews

Discover Georges Henripark in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, a green space with a surprising past as a cemetery. Follow paths marked by old tombstones, let children loose on the playground and grab a snack at the kiosk.

Le Dillens

★ 4.1 · 1,415 reviews

Pull up a chair at Le Dillens, a Saint-Gilles bistro that locals fill from early morning on. Order a well-priced breakfast and soak up the easy, Parisian-style atmosphere indoors or under the tree.

Woluwe Park

★ 4.7 · 2,053 reviews

Stroll through Woluwe Park, a spacious green space built around lakes and wide lawns. Follow the water past swans and ducks, then pick a spot on the grass for a picnic.

Parc de Wolvendael

★ 4.5 · 2,949 reviews

Wander through Parc de Wolvendael, a leafy hillside park in Uccle. Follow its wooded paths up and down the slopes, then rest on a bench overlooking the open lawns.

Churrasqueira Portugalia

★ 4.4 · 469 reviews

Step into Churrasqueira Portugalia, Saint-Gilles' lively Portuguese grill. Share charcoal-grilled meat and a glass of wine in a noisy, cheerful room that feels closer to Lisbon than Brussels.

L'Amère à Boire

★ 4.5 · 1,246 reviews

Discover L'Amère à Boire, a neighbourly beer bar in Ixelles pouring local Brussels brews. Taste your way through a dozen taps and a long bottle list with help from the patient bartenders.

Jean-Félix Hap Park

★ 4.5 · 597 reviews

Pause at Jean-Félix Hap Park, a small green haven in the middle of Etterbeek. Circle the pond, rest in the gazebo and settle on a bench with a picnic or a book.

Le Mucha

★ 4.4 · 451 reviews

Discover Le Mucha, the Stockel restaurant locals have returned to for over twenty years. Settle into a classic dining room for Belgian-influenced dishes served by friendly, attentive staff.

Café Belga

★ 4.0 · 5,327 reviews

Discover Café Belga, the buzzing cafe-bar inside Flagey's art deco building. Grab a terrace seat for a drink in the day, then stay as the DJs take over in the evening.

Rouge cloître

★ 4.6 · 9 reviews

Discover Rouge-Cloître, a peaceful nook of woods, ponds and old priory remains near Brussels. Wander its shaded paths at an easy pace and enjoy the calm just beyond the city.

Le Petit Lion

★ 4.5 · 674 reviews

Drop into Le Petit Lion, a welcoming local bar with a fifties American flair. Play a round of pool or pinball while enjoying fairly priced draught beers to an oldies soundtrack.

Parc Duden

★ 4.4 · 3,672 reviews

Explore Parc Duden, a hilly wooded park in Forest that feels like a hike close to the city. Follow shaded trails among tall trees, stop at the benches and pass statues and grassy fields.

Frit Flagey

★ 4.3 · 2,303 reviews

Join the queue at Frit Flagey, Ixelles' much-loved fry shop near Place Flagey. Grab a cone of crisp Belgian fries with fried cheese or satay skewers and eat them in the lively neighbourhood.

REBEL

★ 4.5 · 248 reviews

Slip into REBEL, a pocket-sized wine bar in Ixelles with a friendly, easygoing vibe. Order a glass or two from the list and linger into the late evening.

Rooms Katholieke kerk Sint Martinus

★ 4.4 · 31 reviews

Seek out Sint-Martinus, a 1970s parish church tucked into Ganshoren. Look at its modern design and quiet interior, and get a sense of everyday Brussels life away from the main sights.

In 't Spinnekopke

★ 4.4 · 1,255 reviews

Step into In 't Spinnekopke, an 18th-century Brussels address for Flemish cooking and Belgian beer. Work through the chef's specials in a cosy, wood-panelled room.

Brasserie de la Mule

★ 4.6 · 201 reviews

Discover Brasserie de la Mule, a Schaerbeek brewpub in a former stable for tram horses. Sample house-brewed German-style beers in a relaxed neighbourhood setting far from the tourist crowds.

Osteria Bolognese

★ 4.7 · 748 reviews

Step into Osteria Bolognese in Ixelles for a taste of Bologna in Brussels. Sit down in a warm, lively room and work through hearty Italian dishes served with a cheerful welcome.

Vieux Marché place du Jeu de Balle

★ 4.1 · 1,323 reviews

Wander the Vieux Marché on place du Jeu de Balle, Brussels' open-air flea market in the Marolles. Rummage through stalls of books, vintage clothes and curiosities, haggling for finds in a lively, colourful setting.