Top 10 Things To Do And See In Matong Brussels

A fascinating mix of African cultures and Belgian bohème, Matongé is one of the most eccentric and trendiest quarters in Brussels. It is a buzzing business and meeting place full of colors, noise, music and a variety of smells. Infinitely charming, Matongé is a must-experience in the Belgian capital.

Named after a lively area of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Matongé area came to being in the late 50s with the influx of Congolese students in Belgium and developed into an authentic African quarter after Congo gained their independence in 1960. Nowadays, it is a true melting pot of cultures co-existing in peace along Chaussée de Wavre, just off Porte de Namur, steps away from the European Quarter and one of the most expensive shopping streets in Brussels, Avenue Louise. If you want to experience Matongé like a true Brussellois, check out our tips.

Watch an arthouse film in Cinéma Vendôme

A must-visit for film lovers, this old movie theatre shows independent and arthouse films with a focus on French-language cinema. Right in the heart of Matongé, the dark rooms of the cinema are perfect for a cozy Sunday evening.

Cinéma Vendôme, Chaussée de Wavre 18, Brussels, Belgium, +32 2 502 37 00

Grab a bite at Soleil d’Afrique

A small pedestrian zone on Rue Longue Vie (squeezed between Chaussée de Wavre, Rue E. Solvay and Rue de la Paix) welcomes you with an olive tree, the symbol of peace, into a heaven of delicious (and cheap, for that matter) African cuisine and special local cocktails. Grab a seat at a communal table in Soleil d’Afrique and order an assiette mixte or its veggie version to get a taste of everything on the menu. Top it up with a Viagra cocktail (a mix of rum, ginger, sugarcane and lemon) — ginger apparently increases the male libido by up to 17 percent, hence the name.

Soleil d’Afrique, Rue Longue Vie 10, Brussels, Belgium, +32 486 30 26 40

1. Arrange a rendez-vous at Saint-Boniface Church

Church

The beautiful square with the church all lit up in the evening and the buzzing restaurants around make for a great rendez-vous point. If you feel like a relaxed after-work drink, check out the neighborhood’s favorite L’Ultime Atome — a classic Belgian brasserie with an easy-going atmosphere and a clever name, which makes it all the more charming. Or you can grab dinner at one of the many restaurants offering everything from traditional Belgian to Asian cuisine. Go to Le Clan des Belges for a vintage feel and Belgian specialties, or get the best moules-frites at Au Vieux Bruxelles. You can indulge in Japanese specialties in Little Tokyo or Hana, burgers at Le Comptoir.