Granola bowls, avocado toast, or good old full English breakfast are all readily available for those who know where to look. This list of best brunch places in Brussels sifts through the tourist traps and takes you where the locals go (e.g. myself).
Brunch in Brussels is usually served between 11.00 AM and 3.00 PM on Saturday or Sunday. Many restaurants will in fact have a specific menu or a section of their menu dedicated to brunch. With such a large international community, it will come as no surprise that the city has a wide interpretation of brunch.
After moving to Brussels beginning of 2022, I threw myself into the brunch scene. It was a sacrifice willingly undertaken because secretly brunch is my favorite meal of the day. This food guide only deals with brunch, make sure to check out mouthwatering vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Brussels and explore the very best places to get pizza in Brussels.
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16 Best Brunch Places in Brussels
This list will continue to grow as I go in search of the very best brunch. Brussels has a lot of places on offer, though plenty of them are overpriced with very mediocre food. Needless to say, they did not make the below list.
Read More: Find the very best things to do during a weekend in Brussels.
Brunch places Brussels near the historical center
There are not many brunch places near the historical center of Brussels. Let me rephrase, there are a heck of a lot of places to grab brunch in Brussels near the Grand Place, but they are severely overpriced and tend to be tourist traps. The below selections are good value for money and filled with a good mix of locals and tourists alike.
1. Peck 47
Peck 47 is part of the Woodpecker group of bars and restaurants of which you will find a number in Brussels. Peck 47 is located a mere 3-minute walk away from the Grand Place and is very popular amongst tourists.
They serve the classic smoothie bowls and pancakes (not great) and avocado toast (pretty good). But what they do very well are their burgers and waffles (hello hangover cure on a plate!).
Good to know: Peck 47 offers the opportunity to participate in a “suspended coffee” ask at the counter before paying.
– Vegetarian & vegan options available
– Open for dinner
– Pet friendly
Address: Rue du Marché aux Poulets 47, 1000 Bruxelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
2. Les Filles
Les Filles has 5 restaurants in Brussels and has been around for over 10 years. The restaurants work exclusively with locally sourced, bio-ingredients. I went to the restaurant on the Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains, which is located on the first floor of a regular building. From the outside, you would never know there was a restaurant here, aside from the doorbell (which you need to ring).
The brunch menu is only served on Sunday for a short window of time (11.00 AM – 1.00 PM). Dishes are presented in a buffet style, with the menu changing according to the season. A variety of different dishes (hot, cold, sweet, savory) was laid out for us to choose from.
– Vegetarian & vegan options available
– Open for dinner
Address: Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains 46, 1000 Bruxelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
3. Creme
Creme is the place to go if you are a deep lover of pancakes and happen to be trudging along the historical center of Brussels. The Belgian-revisited pancakes are an absolute must-try!
Those who do not like pancakes (is that even possible?) can feast on a variety of different avocado toasts, egg rolls or smoothie/buddha bowls. Portions are generous, the matcha latté is tasty and the location is great. The central location does mean it gets very busy during the weekend.
– Vegetarian & vegan options available
– Not open for dinner
Address: Rue de Rollebeek 30, 1000 Bruxelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
4. Pois Chiche
This place is finger-licking good and has a very mission to be as “conscious” as possible. In practice, this means no plastic, farm-to-table ingredients and even sending back the leftover foods for compost back to the local farms.
The menu is decidedly Middle Eastern think lots of falafel, halloumi, eggplant and lebanese flatbread. We tried the chef’s plate and the combo dips, which turned out to be a lot of food for two people (pictured above). All beverages have an unlimited refill, making them great value for money!
– Vegetarian & vegan options available
– Open for lunch and early dinner
Address: Pl. de la Chapelle 15, 1000 Bruxelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
5. Frank.
Frank. is located right next to La Monnaie or the Brussel Opera House. Walking in you will find it gives off a distinct coffee bar vibe and is jam-packed with the city’s hippest faces. The space is relatively large, yet always full. They do not take reservations.
I must admit I first heard about Frank. on social media. What attracted me was their commitment to sustainability, where everything is made from locally sourced, organic, and seasonal produce. They serve an Australian-style breakfast (think pancakes, delicious bagels with poached eggs) and specialty coffee. The matcha here is some of the best you can find in the city.
– Vegetarian & vegan options available
– Open for breakfast and lunch
Address: Rue des Princes 14, 1000 Bruxelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
Best brunch Brussels with kids
While all the brunch places in Brussels are accessible with kids, some make a little bit more of an effort to ensure your little tot has a great time too.
6. Chicago Cafe
The first thing people say when talking about Chicago Cafe is “there is a lot of kids running around”. The cafe even has a specific playing area for the kids, which makes it a highly popular spot for families to grab brunch during the weekend.
If you are hungry go for the sumptuous Chicago brunch (I couldn’t finish it!) or one of their famous burgers. Personally, I love the mushroom benedict! All ingredients used are locally sourced.
– Vegetarian & vegan options available
– Not open for dinner
Address: Rue de Flandre 45, 1000 Bruxelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
7. Le Balmoral
Le Balmoral has a vibrant sixties American diner decor. Truth be told, you come here for the ambiance rather than the food, which is good but not great. The menu is extensive (milkshakes, pancakes, french toast, salads, burgers, bagels,..) and has a lot of foods that the kids will love.
Tip: At the back of the restaurant (in front of the toilets) is a playing area for the kids.
– Vegetarian options available
– Open for early dinner
Address: Pl. Georges Brugmann 21, 1050 Ixelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
8. La Table Rustique
La Table Rustique is a very cozy little bistro that serves great brunch during the weekends. The menu has everything from sweet delights like pancakes and French toast to hearty salad bowls. Portions are medium-sized. so if you are hungry be sure to order more than one dish
Fun fact: The menu of this brunch spot in Brussels recently changed to offer a wider variety of foods with a decidedly Middle Eastern touch. I had a delicious toast with hummus and Haloumi the last time I went.
– Vegetarian options are available
– Not open for dinner
Address: Av. Louise 423, 1050 Bruxelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Instagram
Indulgent brunch places in Brussels
Sometimes you just want to indulge a little when going out. The below brunch places are the perfect answer to that craving. From fluffy pancakes to ridiculously generous portions, you might want to avoid wearing tight jeans when booking anything in this section.
9. Kafei
Kafei is an Asian coffee shop that happens to serve the very best fluffy pancakes in Brussels. I highly recommend going straight for the Tiramisu Fluffy Pancake. As the pancakes are rather light, I like to follow up with an Acai bowl (nice and creamy and a generous amount of toppings).
Kafei is located off a busy street, but do not let that deter you. Head inside, through the restaurant, and straight for the garden in the back.
– Vegetarian & vegan options are available
– Not open for dinner
– Pet friendly
Address: Chau. de Vleurgat 147, 1000 Bruxelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
10. Chyl
A classic in the Brussels brunch scene. Chyl has been around for over seven years and was one of the first places to offer good quality smoothie bowls and various types of toast (including avocado toast). It continues to be a very (very!) popular brunch spot amongst locals. They do not take reservations meaning chances are high you will need to wait for a table during the weekends.
Tip: In the basement of the restaurant you will find a little zero-waste shop selling mainly food items.
– Vegetarian & vegan & gluten-free options are available
– Not open for dinner
Address: Rue de Belle-Vue 62, 1000 Bruxelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
11. Kaki
Kaki is another Asian coffee shop with an enormous section of really good tea and mouthwatering cakes. During the weekends they have a brunch menu from 12.00 PM to 3.00 PM which includes two savory dishes and one sweet dish (€/$15 for the set menu). The menu tends to change so be sure to check out their Facebook page.
Tip: Kaki is also a great place to come during the week if you want a quiet place to work.
– Vegetarian and vegan options are available
– Not open for dinner
Address: Chau. de Waterloo 394, 1060 Saint-Gilles
Menu & latest opening hours: Facebook
12. Djo bistro bar
If you are looking for brunch in Brussels with very large portions in a cozy setting then make a beeline for Djo bistro bar. This highly atmospheric bistro bar serves a variety of different foods that are served in tapas style (albeit XL tapas).
During the weekends you can choose from three types of brunch menu: Vegetarian, classic and salty. This is not the classic avocado toast, poached eggs type of brunch. Each brunch menu comes with 4 different dishes, each served on little plates to facilitate sharing. Be sure to come hungry!
– Vegetarian options are available (vegan upon request)
– Open for dinner
Address: Chau. de Charleroi 227, 1060 Saint-Gilles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
Brunch places Brussels that are great for a long-overdue catch-up
Brunch is one of my favorite meals to kick back, savor my meal and enjoy a good conversation with the person in front of me. The below recommendations are great for a lazy Sunday brunch in Brussels where you forget about the hustle and bustle of the week.
13. Caleo Cafe (My favorite spot for brunch in Brussels)
A little bistro in the heart of bustling Ixelles. I love coming here on Sunday when the weather is sunny to sit on their terrace, drink fresh juice, have a croissant or scrambled eggs and watch the world go by. The cafe also serves traditional brunch classics like pancakes, brioches and toasties.
The food is good value for money and the ambiance is wonderfully chilled.
– Vegetarian options are available
– Not open for dinner
– Pet friendly
Address: Rue Bouré 1, 1050 Ixelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
14. L’Aubette
We were strolling around the Marolles one weekend and stumbled upon L’Aubette. A small unassuming little cafe that serves really great salads. The main ingredients are always leafy greens, delicious oven-roasted potatoes (we are in Belgium after all) and various toppings. Portions are very generous. They also serve great fresh juices.
Tip: L’Aubette is right around the corner from the flea market that is held every Sunday on Pl. du Jeu de Balle.
– Vegetarian & Vegan options are available
– Not open for dinner
Address: Rue Blaes 114, 1000 Bruxelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Their facebook page
15. BATCH
BATCH is one of the newest brunch places in Brussels and it has taken the city by storm. Come here on a weekend and the place is brimming with Birkenstocks, athletic wear and twenty-somethings deftly tapping away on their laptop while peeking over the rim of their aviator frames.
While the interior and the clientele are divine, brunch is a rather low-key affair. I went for eggs on toast and got exactly that. No frills, no presentation but the eggs were locally sourced and the bread nice and crunchy so no complaints from me. In the evening Batch has a small menu of dishes which they serve in the form of tapas i.e. order a couple of dishes per person and share with the table.
– Vegetarian options are available
– Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner
– Allows pets to enter (as long as they are not taller than the tables)
Address: Chau. de Waterloo 559, 1050 Ixelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
16. Tigermilk
Tigermilk calls themselves a ‘Mexican inspired hacienda’, in other words, think a lot of Mexican-inspired food. Saturday and Sunday they have a special brunch menu which includes one salty dish, one sweet dish, a warm drink and a cold drink for €/$25. The portions are very generous, I tend to split one brunch menu with a friend.
Good to know: Tigermilk is a very popular brunch place in Brussels over the weekend. Make sure to book in advance (can be done online).
– Vegetarian options are available
– Open for lunch & dinner
– Allows pets to enter (as long as they are not taller than the tables)
Address: Rue du Bailli 46, 1050 Bruxelles
Menu & latest opening hours: Website
Map for Brunch in Brussels
All the above-mentioned places to grab brunch in Brussels have been plotted on Google Maps. Click on the link for a closer view, or have a look at the screenshot below.
MORE TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR BRUSSELS
Travel Guide: An awesome one-day guide to Brussels
Travel Guide: Weekend in Brussels
Travel Guide: Hidden Gems in Brussels
Travel Guide: 31 Day trips from Brussels
Accommodation Guide: Which areas to stay in Brussels and which ones to avoid
Food Guide: Best pizza in Brussels
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