Brussels might come across as gray and uninviting at first, until you know where to go. So, we have put together a list of some areas, restaurants, and bars that we, living in Brussels, can recommend:
There are definitely other cozy parts of the city that are worth visiting, but here we highlight the areas that are roughly located between the conference venue and the old city center, and have a decent connection via public transport. If you want to easily meet up with others in the evening, we suggest staying around these areas.
Flagey
This is the square/area where the conference’s welcome reception will be held.
- Transport to and from conference venue: bus 71, bus 95
- Transport to and from the center: bus 71, bus 95
- Selected restaurants:
- The legendary fry place on the square – Frit Flagey
- My Tannour (Syrian food)
- Black Sheep (burgers)
- Caramulo (Portuguese food)
- Various restaurants along Rue Lesbroussart
- Selected bars:
- Flip
- Murmure
- Le Pantin
- L’amère à Boire
- Café Belga
Place Jourdan
- Transport to and from conference venue: bus 34
- Transport to and from the center: metro 1, metro 5, bus 95
- Selected restaurants:
- Another legendary fry place – Maison Antoine
- Eccetera (Italian)
- Pizza Liloo
- Takumi (ramen)
- Selected bars:
- Schievelavabo
- Cosmos
- Various bars on the square where you can eat your fries
Place Luxembourg
Many hotels in this area, as it is part of the expat area / European area of Brussels
- Transport to and from conference venue: bus 95, train to Etterbeek station
- Transport to and from the center: bus 95, train to Brussels Central station
- Selected restaurants:
- Thai Chiangmai
- Mer du Nord (seafood)
- Selected bars:
- Plenty of bars on the square / around the roundabout
Matongé / Place Fernand Cocq
- Transport to and from conference venue: bus 71, bus 95
- Transport to and from the center: bus 71, bus 95
- Selected restaurants:
- Il Nobile (amazing Italian)
- Contre Bande
- Soleil d’Afrique and other African bars and restaurants on Rue Longue Vie
- Volle Gas (typical Brussels brasserie)
- Selected bars:
- L’Athenée
- De Haus
- Chez Ta Mère
Schuman
Hotels to be found in this area as well, as it is part of the expat area / European area of Brussels
- Transport to and from conference venue: metro 5
- Transport to and from the center: metro 1, metro 5
- Selected restaurants:
- Paolo’s Idea
- La Brace (Italian)
- Lebanon House (Lebanese)
- La Baie d’Ha-Long (Vietnamese)
- La Fontaine (Belgian)
- Selected bars:
- Coin du Diable
- Multiple English- / Irish-style bars along Rue Archimede