The Best Bars And Cafes In Sablon Brussels

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

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.

Le Café du Sablon

Coffee Shop, Coffee

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 Hotel Brussels

Hotel

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!

POP-UP Sablon

Bar, Restaurant, Belgian, European

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.

Jat' Café

Cafe, European, Vegetarian

‘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

La Kartchma

Cafe, Coffee

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.

La Malcour

Restaurant, Belgian, European

Fountain by Jacques Berge in 1751 at the Place du Grand Sablon

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.

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.