Sablon is a bustling area: home to the Church of Our Blessed Lady of the Sablon and the Royal Conservatory, the neighborhood hosts a great number of interesting museums. There’s never a dull moment exploring Sablon by day or night and whilst you’re in the neighborhood, try one of these great bars and coffeehouses.
Hortense
Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, Vegetarian, Belgian, $$$
Café Floréo's dry martini | Courtesy of Café Floréo
Despite being very popular, this bar is not easy to find, which is all the more reason to go looking. Hortense is a cocktail bar with a wonderful reputation — the service is known to be friendly and the drinks are heavenly. The bar has a passion for well-made drinks and creative cocktails.
For great breakfast and lunch sandwiches, look no further than Café du Sablon. Located at the heart of the neighborhood, it’s a perfect place to take a break and have a little snack while exploring this area. There’s an international feel to this cafe, with its numerous magazines and ingredients from all over the world.
The best thing about this cafe is its decor:the walls are adorned with comic book pages. Some are original comic boards and others are original paintings and lithographs, which are made and signed by masters of the art. Besides enjoying a drink here, you can also order quirky named hamburgers like the ‘Big Obelix Burger’ or some freshly cut fries.
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This is the best place to shake off the Monday blues. You can celebrate the beginning of a new week at The Hotel Brussels, when a curious event happens at the hotel bar. Every week, DJs, free parking and a great atmosphere invite people to party at the Work-A-Tonic. There’s no more reason to hate Mondays — have a great week!
A combination of a rustic and industrial interior with a sun-oriented terrace and a non-stop open kitchen welcomes you to POP-UP Sablon. Don’t be fooled by the name — it’s no pop-up store. The restaurant on the first floor welcomes you from breakfast to dinner and serves famous Belgian dishes, burgers, and tapas. The bar has a wide variety of wines, which are perfect for an afternoon drink in the sunshine.
With international newspapers and magazines, Workshop Cafe is a great spot to relax for a while or get some work done on your laptop. The calm atmosphere makes Workshop Cafe a great place to be creative, and the menu ranges from sweets cupcakes to warm soups and hearty sandwiches. 146 Av Louise, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, +32 489 32 82 04
‘Jat’ is the Walloon word for a mug and the Flemish dialect word for ‘cuppa,’ which immediately sums up the homey atmosphere of this coffeehouse. Sink into one of their comfortable chairs or sofas and enjoy a cup of coffee. The menu has a selection of bagels, salads and sweet desserts. 28 Rue de Namur, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, +32 2 503 03 32
Located close to the Kunstberg, this friendly but busy venue is a great spot to take a break when exploring the many museums in the area. Besides getting a hot drink, you can also grab a homemade lunch such as a hearty soup or a quiche with coconut. 17 Place du Grand Sablon, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, +32 2 512 43 10
La Malcour
Restaurant, Belgian, European
A cozy space with great coffee is what makes La Malcour a true delight. Located in the Place du Grand Sablon, this restaurant is complete with old furniture and a fireplace, taking you away from busy Brussels into a little world of wine and croquettes.
