The best squares and terraces in Ixelles

Ponds, shops, culture, architecture and, last but not least, terraces. At place Eugène Flagey, you have everything at your fingertips. The highlight of the square? The Flagey building! On the ground floor of this iconic Art Deco building, you'll find the vast and sun-drenched terrace of Café Belga, a real classic! Even though this café has been around for almost twenty years, there is always a young and trendy atmosphere. Fancy some ambiance? Then check out rue du Belvédère, just around the corner. Bar du Marché excels at cocktails, Le Murmure at beer and, in both places, every night feels like a Friday night. Are you a real beer lover? Then don't miss L'Amère à Boire. No bitter aftertaste, just a beer menu that will blow you away!  

When the drinks are flowing, you'd better make sure you have something substantial to eat. Good news: there is plenty of choice! At the bottom of the Flagey building you'll find Le Variétés, a classic but trendy restaurant with traditional Belgian and French cuisine. In the mood for something a little more exotic? There’s Japanese restaurant Maki Maki on rue de la Brasserie and Portuguese restaurant Pessoa on Chaussée de Boondael. Feeling famished? If the beef burgers at The Black Sheep don’t fill you up, then we don’t know what will. 

There's more to place Eugène Flagey, of course, than just the Flagey building. The other side of the square is also a pleasant place to be. In the streets behind Frit Flagey, which many believe to be the best chip shop in Brussels, you'll find brasseries that will make you feel like you've been transported to a charming Portuguese village. One last top tip: the Neapolitan pizzeria Nona Flagey. It's the ideal place to pick up a summer picnic which you can enjoy on the banks of the Ixelles ponds.

“Shall we get something to eat?” “Sure, but where?” We’ve got the perfect answer to this question: on place Saint-Boniface! It's picturesque, quiet and bursting with nice restaurants. Lovers of Japanese cuisine can choose between Little Tokyo, Yamato and Koku Ramen. In the mood for Italian? Mano a Mano! Korean? Hana! Thai? Le Deuxième Elément! African? Matongé is just around the corner... In short, there really is something for everyone. Not all that hungry, but still fancy relaxing on a terrace? Our favourite is L'Athénée, the regular haunt of students from the theatre academy across the street. If you like a cultural vibe, then this is the place for you! 

Other spots to check out: Le Clan des Belges, L'Ultime Atome

No square in Brussels has changed more in recent years than place Fernand Cocq. Consequently, there is a lot to discover! The old Café Le Coq closed its doors a few years ago, but now there's a new cockerel in town: Le Cocq Bruxelles. A café, brasserie, chip shop, launderette... This place has so much to offer that it is hard to classify it. A little further up shines the pink façade of Chez Ta Mère. With its delicious cocktails and refined dishes, this place has become a must on place Fernand Cocq. Another facade that catches the eye is that of Café Tulipant. Like the light blue tiles on its façade, the interior is also very impressive. As is their menu, by the way, which is brimming with goodies! Finally, we would like to share one of our favourites: Contrebande! Enjoy a local beer or a healthy meal packed with organic ingredients in their cosy courtyard garden. Sounds like summer, don't you think?

Other spots to check out: Le Volle Gas, De Haus.

It's impossible to list all the lovely squares in Ixelles, but there are three that we really must mention.

Place du Châtelain is a very quaint square in a more upmarket neighbourhood. Every Wednesday, there is a bio-market where you can enjoy an aperitif to your heart's content.

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, place Georges Brugmann is the place to be. Just like place du Châtelain, this square exudes a certain class. Around the neoclassical church, you will find countless lovely terraces and designer shops.

Contrary to what its name might suggest, the Cimetière d’Ixelles is bursting with life. Students flock to this square, which is close to the ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles). Here, you're guaranteed a bit of atmosphere!