The Best Brunch Spots Near St. Catherine Brussels

Around the Place Sainte-Catherine, there’s an interesting neighborhood worth visiting. Not only is the place known as Brussels’s unofficial ‘Chinatown,’ but every street is packed with cozy or bustling restaurants and bars that serve a wide variety of foods and drinks. Here’s our guide to ome of the best brunch venues in the area.

Charli

Bakery, Pastry Shop, Pastries, Belgian

This bakery is said to serve the best pain au chocolat in Brussels. The bread and pastries are fresh and handmade. Charli is a great place to enjoy a delicious breakfast or a light brunch near the Place Sainte-Catherine.

Charli Salé

Restaurant, Fast Food, Belgian

Charli Salé serves the same quality breads found at nearby bakery, Charli. Charli Salé feels more like a brunch place, with an interior that invites you to stay a little longer.

Jack O'Shea Chophouse

Butcher, Pastry Shop, Bakery, Steakhouse, Pastries, Belgian

Jack O’Shea Chophouse is a butcher that makes a carnivore’s dream brunch: steak, sausages, black pudding, burgers. You can order a huge brunch or attack the buffet. Besides quality meat products, you can also order typical brunch pastries.

John & Rose

Restaurant, Belgian

Enjoy brunch and art at John & Rose. This restaurant combines a cute brunch spot with an ongoing art exhibition. You can order salads, sandwiches, and brunch platters with bread, jam, cheese, fruits, and eggs. It’s a quiet place where you can eat in peace while checking out art pieces and enjoying calm piano music.

Les Filles

Eating at Les Filles is like visiting old friends. It’s owned by a group of girls, hence the name, and the food options are limited. Choose something from the menu or fill your plate at the buffet. Chances are you’ll be sharing your table with complete strangers, but this all adds to the charm of the comfy Les Filles.

Chicago Cafe

Cafe, Restaurant, Belgian, French, Moroccan

Don’t hurry for brunch; the breakfast and brunch menu is available all day long at Chicago Cafe. You can order an English, French, Belgian or Moroccan breakfast. Brunch includes beef and salmon options. The cool, concrete interior of Chicago Cafe is softened with vintage and nostalgic elements, making it a modern-looking yet comfy place. There’s also a kid’s corner, in case you bring little ones with you.

Mer du Nord/Noordzee

Fishmonger, Restaurant, Bar, Bakery, Seafood, Belgian

La Mer du Nord is a fish bar that has a lot to offer: sandwiches, burgers, soup, or even oysters. This restaurant has a wonderful reputation, and with good reason: the fast but delicious dishes are wonderful and available at reasonable prices. Visit the shop and buy some big fish to fry at home.

De Markten

Museum

The name of this cafe translates to ‘the marketplaces.’ It’s actually a part of a community center, which hosts a number of concerts, markets, and other activities. The cafe fits snugly into this concept, making it a welcoming and sociable place. De Markten believes its terrace underneath is the coziest in Brussels, located between the trees of a lovely square and close to the liveliest neighborhood in the city. It’s a great place to start the day, relax and enjoy the calming atmosphere.

Bravo

Big applause for Bravo; it’s a place that celebrates the local Brussels music scene while also creating space to eat and relax. The breakfast option is accompanied by newspapers, so you can feel completely at home while enjoying your coffee. Head back later to catch one of the live concerts.

Mixt

Restaurant, Belgian

Want a healthy breakfast or brunch in a hurry? Mixt serves pasta dishes with fresh vegetables in a fast food format. Whether you take away or to eat at the restaurant, brighten your day with a quick, delicious, and healthy meal.

Au Suisse

Sandwich Shop, Belgian

This Swiss sandwich bar can be found at the heart of Brussels, walking distance from the Place St. Catherine. The breakfast menu offers the classics, and you can’t go wrong — coffee or tea with eggs, sandwiches, or pastries. Even if you’re too late for breakfast, you won’t be disappointed by the wonderful sandwiches: Au Suisse is a very popular lunch spot.

About the author

Ayla Sileghem

Ayla is a 20-something Belgian with roots in other places. She teaches Japanese, writes pieces in English and is always open for a change. Raised in Kenya, she picked up English at a young age and still prefers writing in English instead of Dutch. She studied Japanese at the Catholic University of Leuven and did a Master’s degree in Journalism at the Catholic University of Brussels. Ayla also spent some time in Japan, at Fukuoka Women’s University. She loves reading about history, and only remembers the funny facts. Her family includes a boyfriend who does the cooking and a rabbit that loves watching the Wizard of Oz.