Café Belga

Café Belga is a Brussels institution inside the Flagey building at Place Eugène Flagey 18, in Ixelles. The Flagey building is an Art Deco landmark, originally built as the headquarters of the Belgian national broadcaster, and today houses a cultural centre and concert halls beside the Ixelles ponds. The cafe occupies the ground floor and spills onto a large terrace on the square, which makes it one of the most popular meeting places in the neighbourhood. Prices are low to moderate, with food and drinks at about €10-18. The menu is simple cafe and brasserie food. Typical dishes include the croque-monsieur, the toasted ham-and-cheese sandwich, beer-battered fish and chips and a club sandwich, along with snacks to accompany drinks. The cooking is not the main draw; the cafe is valued for its drinks list, particularly a good selection of Belgian beers, plus coffee, wine and cocktails. The interior preserves a mid-century feel with a long bar and plenty of seating, and the atmosphere is lively, casual and often loud, particularly in the evening and on warm days when the terrace fills. The clientele is a mix of students, locals, concert-goers and visitors, and the cafe has a reputation as a place to meet before or after events at Flagey. DJs and live music appear on some evenings. It opens daily from morning until late. No reservations are taken, so visitors choose a table on arrival, and on sunny afternoons and weekend evenings it can be hard to find a seat on the terrace. The location beside the Ixelles ponds also makes it a good stop after a walk around the water, and the Flagey square holds a regular market on certain days. Visitors wanting a relaxed local atmosphere away from the tourist centre will find it a good fit.