The Best Cafés in Brussels: My Favourite Coffee and Brunch Spots
Looking for the best cafés in Brussels? Here’s all the specialty coffee bars, brunch cafés, bakeries and hot-chocolate stops I’d save for your trip—from serious coffee near Brussels-Central to pastries in Saint-Gilles and lovely brunch spots tucked between the trees of Brussels Park.
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One of the things that took Brussels beyond “somewhere to stop between London, Bruges and Ghent” for me was its café scene.
I’ve returned to Brussels for one-day trips, two-day stays and longer visits, and the city (for me at least) began making far more sense once I stopped treating it as a string of grand sights.
To me, Brussels life lives in its cafés—until the evening, that is. Then it’s all about Belgian beer.
The coffee scene here also makes it easy to turn your itinerary into a café-hopping day if you wish. Begin near Grand-Place, pause close to Mont des Arts, cross the upper city for coffee near Sablon and the Marolles, then end with pastries or drinks in Saint-Gilles.
With that said, here’s where to find the very best specialty coffee, proper brunch, handmade buns, real Belgian hot chocolate, a park café and pâtisseries worth walking up hills for.
Shall we?
About the Author
Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.
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Quick Overview: The Best Cafés in Brussels
| Café | Best for | Area | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOUCHE Specialty Coffee | Some of the best specialty coffee in Brussels | Central Brussels and the European Quarter | Very high-quality beans here and house-made sweets |
| Brød Louise | A flaky croissant and espresso before exploring | Louise / Saint-Gilles | My personal neighbourhood pick, attached to Citybox Brussels |
| BARKBOY | Coffee with buns, croissants and cookies | Near Brussels-Central | Great for handmade pastries and playful coffee drinks |
| The Unusual | Belgian hot chocolate | Near Brussels-Central | Specialty coffee and hot chocolate made with Belgian chocolate |
| Taylor’s Café | Plant-based breakfast and lunch | The Marolles | A low-waste café with homemade pastries, sandwiches and seasonal dishes |
| MOK Coffee | Locally roasted beans and serious brewing | Dansaert | One of the city’s established specialty roasters, with breakfast and lunch too |
| Woodpecker Parc Royal | A café stop in the park | Brussels Park | Best for an outdoor drink or bite between the Royal Quarter sights |
| Ginkgo Pâtisserie | Viennoiseries, cakes and macarons | Saint-Gilles | A true artisan pâtisserie rather than a generic Brussels coffee-shop |
| Stella Coffee Bar | Specialty coffee, brunch and distinctive flavours | Saint-Gilles | Save for coffee, egg buns, pastries and their rose-water latte |
Book Your Brussels Trip
Where I recommend staying: For your trip, I’d stay at the stylish and central NH Collection Brussels, just a 10-minute walk from Brussel-Centraal Station. You can also compare more hotels in Brussels here.
Getting to Brussels: Compare train times and prices for London to Brussels, Paris to Brussels and Amsterdam to Brussels, plus direct connections from Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp.
The tour I’d book for a first trip: I’d choose this 2.5-hour historical walking tour with chocolate and waffle tastings. It covers several of Brussels’ main sights, all while giving you an introduction to the city’s history.
Want to see Bruges and Ghent on your Brussels trip? I’d choose this full-day Bruges and Ghent tour; it includes a guided walk and free time in both cities, plus the option of a canal cruise in Ghent. It’s a packed day, but a beautiful one when your Belgium itinerary is tight and you’d rather leave the transport, timings and city introductions to someone else.
For food lovers: I’d book this 3-hour Brussels food tour. It combines generous tastings of Belgian favourites—including fries, croquettes, waffles and chocolate—with a guided walk through the city centre, so you’ll learn about Brussels as you eat your way around it.
For chocolate lovers: I’d book this 1.5-hour Belgian chocolate-making workshop. You’ll learn about bean-to-bar chocolate, make your own truffles, mendiants and personalised chocolate bar, and take everything you create home with you (if it makes it that far).
Stay connected: Set up your Europe eSIM before your trip. It takes less than five minutes, and you’ll have mobile data ready to use when you arrive.
For extra peace of mind: Take a look at SafetyWing’s travel medical insurance before your trip (it’s the one I personally use and recommend).
Why Brussels Is Worth Visiting for Its Café Scene
Brussels is a city often introduced through institutions: the Belgian capital, the home of major European bodies, the city of the Grand-Place.
And although that’s all true, the coffee scene here really is worth having a look at.
The current café scene in Brussels is wonderfully varied, with speciality roasters and hordes of small, cool independent shops serving everything from simple filter coffee and espresso to plant-based brunch cafés—alongside neighbourhood bakeries, listening bars and old-school places that move from coffee to beer in the evening.
It also means the “best café in Brussels” depends on what you’re looking for. For the coffee itself, go to BOUCHE or MOK Coffee. For brunch, choose Taylor’s Café or Stella Coffee Bar. For something sweet, head towards BARKBOY, The Unusual or Ginkgo Pâtisserie.
1. BOUCHE Specialty Coffee: Best for Specialty Coffee in Brussels
Best for: espresso, filter coffee, guest beans and a city-centre stop
If you asked me where to find some of the best specialty coffee in Brussels, BOUCHE Specialty Coffee would be the first thing I’d tell you.
Beginning with their humble Rue de Namur coffee bar, they now have several Brussels addresses, including a branch in the European Quarter and the smaller Lil’Bouche near Brussels-Central—especially useful for travellers if you’re around Mont des Arts or the European Quarter.
I’d choose this for your first coffee of the day, particularly if you’re following my one-day Brussels itinerary and want a slight morning detour.
2. Brød Louise: Best for a Local Breakfast Before Exploring Brussels
Best for: a quick & local neighbourhood breakfast before a day of Brussels exploring.
On one of my mornings in Brussels, I stopped at Brød Louise for a flaky croissant and espresso before heading out to explore. It was fantastic: the croissant was super flaky, the espresso was excellent, and it gave me a very local neighbourhood start to the day (and a good opportunity to try out my broken French…).
Tucked in Saint-Gilles, they bake their bread on site each morning, alongside plenty of pastries, sandwiches and coffee.
The café sits on the ground floor beside the entrance to Citybox Brussels—great if you’re looking for a good-value stay near Avenue Louise—with a major local neighbourhood feel despite its hotel-adjacent location.
Save it for the morning you want a very good croissant, a quick espresso and a neighbourhood start before continuing towards Sablon and the Marolles or central Brussels.
3. BARKBOY: Best for Coffee, Handmade Buns and Cookies
Best for: specialty coffee, croissants, buns, cookies and a sweet stop close to Brussels-Central.
BARKBOY is one of Brussels’ coolest café stops—and it knows it.
The café has a cult following and makes its pastries in-house, with croissants, changing buns and thick cookies filling the counters daily.
Be sure to keep an eye on their weekend specials!
Their location is perfectly placed around Brussels-Central Station, so easy to grab breakfast here after arriving by train or take coffee to go before doing the Brussels Comic Strip Walk.
4. The Unusual: Best for Belgian Hot Chocolate
Best for: real Belgian hot chocolate, specialty coffee and a warm stop close to Grand-Place.
Not every Brussels café stop needs to begin with espresso. The Unusual is the place I’d save for hot chocolate made from real and delicious Belgian chocolate.
The chocolate menu moves across milk, dark, very dark, caramel and ruby styles, so you can go sweet and comforting or a choose something with more bitterness and depth, with speciality coffee to match.
Its convenient location near Brussels-Central Station and Grand-Place makes it a really nice tuck-in for a rainy afternoon in Brussels too.
5. Taylor’s Café: Best for Plant-Based Brunch in Brussels
Best for: plant-based breakfast, lunch, homemade cake and a café break in the Marolles.
Taylor’s Café sits on Rue Haute in the Marolles, one of the best Brussels neighbourhoods for a slow morning and an excellent cup of coffee.
Their café is plant-based, low-waste and local in its approach, serving specialty coffee with sweet and savoury breakfasts, homemade pastries, sandwiches, soups, seasonal lunch dishes. Did I mention—very good cake?
Pair it with the Place du Jeu de Balle flea market, the free Marolles lift and the view from Place Poelaert and you’ve got a whole neighbourhood morning!
P.S. – They’re closed on Tuesdays.
6. MOK Coffee: Best for Locally Roasted Coffee Beans
Best for: coffee roasted in Belgium, filter brews and bringing some Brussels coffee beans home.
MOK Coffee is one of the established names in Belgium’s coffee scene—roasting since 2012 and serving it right up in their very own Brussels cafés.
If you’re a true coffee connoisseur, this one’s for you. Their really friendly staff will be more than happy to share which coffee suits you best, where the beans were grown and everything you’ll need to come home with a beautiful bag of beans.
Their Dansaert location also serves brunch and lunch, if you’re keen! And you can linger after to explore independent shops of Dansaert and the historic Sainte-Catherine area.
7. Woodpecker Parc Royal: Best Café Stop in Brussels Park
Best for: an outdoor drink or bite, a leafy setting and a pause between the Royal Quarter sights.
Tucked in Brussels Park, Woodpecker Parc Royal is the perfect café pause when you’re out and about exploring.
The park was laid out in the late 18th century between the Belgian Parliament and the Royal Palace of Brussels—with long avenues, fountains, rows and rows of trees and plenty of places to sit and read too.
Stop for coffee, a cold drink, lunch or a local beer, then continue towards the Musical Instruments Museum, Magritte Museum and Mont des Arts Garden.
P.S. – They’re open seasonally, so be sure to double-check their latest opening hours before your visit.
8. Ginkgo Pâtisserie: Best for Pastries in Brussels
Best for: viennoiseries, macarons, cakes, chocolates and a bakery stop in Saint-Gilles.
Ginkgo Pâtisserie is an incredible artisan pâtisserie and tearoom, and is well worth the stop on your Brussels café crawl.
Once your eyes inevitably get glued to their counter, you’ll admire hordes of buttery viennoiseries, macarons, chocolates, bread and polished Belgian cakes.
Look out for their Paris-Brest, financiers and croissants made with Montaigu AOP butter, and take some back to your hotel too!
Ginkgo also sits on Place Julien Dillens in Saint-Gilles—a really lovely neighbourhood to see Brussels’ Art Nouveau architecture and grab a full sit-down dinner at La Porteuse d’Eau after.
Read More: The Best Restaurants in Brussels: Where to Eat Belgian Food, Fries, Waffles & More
9. Stella Coffee Bar: Best for Specialty Coffee and Brunch in Saint-Gilles
Best for: speciality coffee, egg buns, pastries and a Brussels brunch with a little character.
Stella Coffee Bar is one of the best Brussels cafés to save when you want good coffee without giving up the food side.
The café’s built a cult following around their specialty coffee, egg buns, house baking and flavours that move far beyond your standard brunch (rose-water latte, or halloumi, chilli honey, courgette and pistachio pesto anyone?).
Its founder Bassel Abou Facker fled Syria and was later reunited in Belgium with his white shepherd, Stella. Hence the name, and even more reason to visit.
Location-wise, you can have a nice AM in Saint-Gilles here, or pair it with a visit to the Horta Museum.
Other Brussels Café, Pastry and Drinks Stops Worth Saving
- Rose de Damas for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern pastries close to Grand-Place.
- Mappa Mundo for a café-bar and terrace break around Saint-Géry.
- Tope at The Hoxton Brussels for rooftop cocktails, Mexican-inspired food and a wide view across the city (the drinks are best). It’s on the 22nd floor of The Hoxton Brussels. I’d save it for sunset to evening.
- Bonnefooi for late-night music, DJ sets and dancing.
The Best Brussels Cafés For Your Trip (in my opinion)
Best coffee and pastries: BARKBOY.
Best local breakfast before exploring: Brød Louise for a flaky croissant and espresso before exploring.
Best brunch: Taylor’s Café for plant-based food or Stella Coffee Bar for coffee, buns and rich brunch.
Best hot chocolate: The Unusual.
Best beautiful café setting: Woodpecker Parc Royal in Brussels Park.
Best bakery and pâtisserie stop: Ginkgo Pâtisserie.
Best café close to Grand-Place: The Unusual for chocolate, or Rose de Damas for pastries and tea.
Where to Eat Waffles and Chocolate in Brussels
I’d be remiss to act like cafés are the only thing worth checking out in Brussels. Especially if you have a sweet tooth…
For a waffle made from seasonal ingredients that can easily replace a main meal, save Pardon Brussels in Saint-Gilles. Or for a central stop near the Bourse, Belgian Waffles & Brunch (the coffee’s not bad here too).
For your chocolate stop, I’d be just as selective. Laurent Gerbaud, close to Mont des Arts, is particularly good for chocolate paired with fruit, nuts and spices rather than just heavy praline fillings. And Planète Chocolat is useful for seeing behind the scenes of Belgian chocolate-making before you eat it.
You can also make your own dark sweetness during this Belgian chocolate-making workshop with tastings, or combine sightseeing with this historical Brussels tour with chocolate and waffle tastings.
Where to Drink Belgian Beer After Your Coffee
Brussels café culture often slips naturally into beer culture later in the day, so it’s oh-so-important to know where to go.
For a huge beer list and buzzing crowds, go to Delirium Village. For something more laid-back, go to Beer Capital Brussels. Or for more of a ‘pint-in-the-neighbourhood’ feel, save Café Maison du Peuple in Saint-Gilles.
You can also turn your drink into part sightseeing with a Belgian Beer World tour inside the former Brussels Stock Exchange. The visit ends with a tasting and a rooftop view—in other words, the best way to end a day in Brussels.
For nightlife, use this Brussels pub crawl and nightlife experience, or check what is playing at The Music Village, Sounds Jazz Club and the newly reopened Bonnefooi.
Where to Eat a Full Meal Between Brussels Cafés
If you’re less keen on a flat white and more in the mood for Belgian stew, seafood or dinner in Matongé—it’s time to check out restaurants in Brussels.
My first traditional Belgian pick would be Le Bistro, in particular their huge ham knuckle with mustard sauce and fries, paired with a local beer.
Choose Le Mignon for cream, garlic and onion mussels; Noordzee – Mer du Nord for razor clams, sea-snail broth and casual seafood; and L’Horloge du Sud for African and Afro-descendant food connected to Matongé and Brussels’ wider history.
For fries between café stops, start with Patatak. You can also add the Frietmuseum if you’re totally fry-obsessed (no shame).
Can You Work From Cafés in Brussels?
Some Brussels cafés are comfortable for a short laptop session, but in general Brussels coffee shops are more social vibes than co-working vibes.
With that said, BOUCHE works for a quick laptop session and MOK is generally work-friendly as long as they’re not busy. Woodpecker Parc Royal is also lovely for working outside in summer.
Where to Stay Near Brussels’ Best Cafés
For a first trip, or a Brussels café crawl, I would stay centrally.
I personally stayed at and recommend NH Collection Brussels Centre. You’ll be within easy walking distance of Grand-Place, Brussels-Central, Dansaert and Sainte-Catherine, with easy metro and tram connections to all my café recommendations too.
The hotel also has a very tempting rooftop breakfast, so your first coffee can come with a glorious city view before you head out.
For a more budget-friendly option, look at Citybox Brussels in the Louise district with Brød Louise ready to greet you on the ground floor.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cafés in Brussels
The café scene is one of the main reasons Brussels became more than a stopover destination for me. And I hope it’s the same for you too!
Start with BOUCHE or MOK Coffee for an incredible cup of coffee. Choose Brød Louise for the flaky croissant and espresso start I personally loved, go to BARKBOY for buns and cookies, The Unusual for Belgian hot chocolate, Taylor’s Café for a plant-based Marolles brunch, and Ginkgo Pâtisserie for the very best of Belgian pastries.
Then let your day widen into coffee in Brussels Park, waffles in Saint-Gilles, chocolate near Mont des Arts and a Belgian beer served foamy.
Have the loveliest time café-hopping in Brussels!
Happy travels,
Candace x
FAQ: Best Cafés in Brussels, Belgium
What Are the Best Cafés in Brussels?
In my opinion, BOUCHE Specialty Coffee, Brød Louise, BARKBOY, The Unusual, Taylor’s Café, MOK Coffee, Woodpecker Parc Royal, Ginkgo Pâtisserie and Stella Coffee Bar.
Where Can You Find the Best Specialty Coffee in Brussels?
Start with BOUCHE Specialty Coffee for rotating guest beans, or MOK Coffee for coffee roasted by one of Belgium’s established specialty roasters. Stella Coffee Bar is another strong one, in Saint-Gilles.
What Are the Best Cafés in Brussels City Centre?
For central Brussels, choose BOUCHE, BARKBOY or The Unusual. Woodpecker Parc Royal.
Which Brussels Café Is Best for Brunch?
Taylor’s Café would be my top pick for a fully plant-based breakfast or lunch in the Marolles. Stella Coffee Bar is a good alternative for speciality coffee, egg buns, and pastries.
Where Can You Drink Real Hot Chocolate in Brussels?
Go to The Unusual near Brussels Central. Their hot chocolate is made solely with rich Belgian chocolate. In other words, they’re the real deal.
What Is the Most Beautiful Café in Brussels?
During the day, from my list, I’d say Woodpecker Parc Royal, given its gorgeous location inside Brussels Park. For beautiful Brussels views later in the day, I’d choose Tope at The Hoxton Brussels.
What Is the Difference Between a Brussels Waffle and a Liège Waffle?
A Brussels waffle is rectangular, crisp and airy with deep pockets. A Liège waffle is smaller, denser and chewier, with pearl sugar caramelised through the dough. I’d try the first if you want a lighter waffle with toppings and the second if you’re keen on something richer.
Does Every Belgian Beer Have Its Own Glass?
Not literally every beer, but many Belgian breweries use a particular branded glass designed for that beer or style of beer (all in different chalices, tulips, goblets, or tumblers!).
Is Brussels Worth Visiting for Its Café Culture?
Oh, absolutely yes. The café scene is one of the reasons I think Brussels is worth visiting for more than a quick stop. You can move between specialty coffee, brunch, artisan pâtisserie, Belgian hot chocolate, park cafés and café-bars all without leaving Brussels’ central neighbourhoods.
Plan the rest of your Brussels trip
Still planning? Here’s more of my Brussels guides to help you decide where to stay, what to book and how to make the most of your trip.
Before you book
- Is Brussels Worth Visiting? My Honest Review After Exploring the City
- Brussels Tips: Everything to Know Before Your Trip
Brussels itineraries and day trips
- One Day in Brussels: My Perfect Brussels Day Trip Itinerary
- My Brussels Weekend Itinerary: How I’d Spend 2 Days in the City
- Eurostar to Brussels from London: Travel Time, Tickets and What to Expect
- The Best Day Trips from Brussels by Train: Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and More
- The Perfect Day Trip from Brussels to Bruges: Train, Tours & My Itinerary
- Brussels to Ghent by Train: My Experience, Ticket Tips & Day Trip Guide
- How to Visit Groot-Bijgaarden Castle: Belgium’s Hidden Spring Flower Garden Near Brussels
Where to stay and what to book
- The Best Hotels Near Brussels Central Station: Where I Stayed and My Top Picks
- NH Collection Brussels Centre Review: My Honest Stay in Brussels
- The Best Tours in Brussels: Walking Tours, Food Experiences and Unique Things to Do
- The Best Brussels Beer Tours and Tastings: Which One Is Best for Your Trip?
What to do and where to eat
- The Best Things to Do in Brussels: Grand-Place, Comic Murals, Belgian Food & More
- Brussels Comic Strip Walk: Full Route, Map and My Favourite Murals
- Exploring Matongé Brussels: Black Culture, Food and My Favourite Stops
- The Best Restaurants in Brussels, Belgium: My Favourite Places to Eat
- The Best Cafés in Brussels: My Favourite Coffee and Brunch Spots
