Brussels: our 7 favourite places in the Flagey neighborhood

By Charlotte Deprez Published 04/02/2020

Flagey is one of Brussels’ most vibrant neighborhoods, with an amazing choice of restaurants, bars, and cultural hotspots. All these qualities obviously make it a great spot for our new coliving house… And a little guided tour made in Cohabs!

Flagey culture house & studios

Flagey is an art deco building in the shape of a ship, designed in 1938 by the architect Joseph Diongre for the Belgian National Radio Broadcasting Institute. It was built according to the strict technical and acoustic standards of the time and is therefore well known worldwide.

That’s right, Flagey attracts the best musicians on the planet! The building was completely revamped and reopened to the public in 2002, and we think it would be sacrilege not to attend a concert there every once in a while.

Flagey, place Sainte-Croix, 1050 Brussels. More info on flagey.be

Belga

In the same art deco building as Flagey, you’ll find one of the most emblematic cafés in the city! With its famous terrace open year-round, it’s the best place to enjoy the sun, when it shines.

In the summer, the Belga deploys dozens of deckchairs on the Sainte-Croix square, turning it into a cheerful open-air bar. Whether you go there at 11 a.m. for brunch, 6 p.m. for after-work drinks or 1 a.m. to end a festive evening, you’ll find what you are looking for in this Brussels institution.

Belga, place Eugène Flagey 18, 1050 Ixelles. More info on their Facebook page.

Market

Like every proper neighborhood, Flagey has its very own weekend market! Here, you’ll find fruits and vegetables, fish, roast chicken, and all the usual. But what we like most about this specific market is the presence of food trucks! Their few tables and chairs invite you to take your time, grab a cup of coffee at the PIM Coffee On The Go truck (one of the best in Brussels, in our humble opinion), test Indian, Portuguese or Moroccan food, or even get a few oysters with a glass of white wine! Insider tip: do not miss the greek stall and their tasty spanakopita!

Oh and of course, if you need something more hearty than oysters, you’ll find the best fries in Brussels at Frit’ Flagey.

More info on visit.brussels.

52 and the Secret Garden

This Italian restaurant is the hidden gem we love. Located on Chaussée de Vleurgat, you’ll certainly pass by 10 times without even noticing. And it would be a shame because 52 and The Secret Garden is probably one of the cutest restaurants in Brussels!

Its secret weapon? The bucolic, colorful and calm garden. The open kitchen, fresh ingredients and very friendly staff make this place one of our all-time favorites!

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C'est l'été dernier que j'ai découvert le restaurant italien @52andthe et son petit jardin bucolique sur @brusselskitchen. Hier soir soir était une soirée d'été parfaite pour le tester ! 🌿 (Je ne suis pas très foot, vous l'aurez compris 😅) Vous êtes certainement déjà passé devant des dizaines de fois, sans savoir ce qui se cachait derrière cette grande façade de la chaussée de Vleurgat à Ixelles. On passe par les cuisines pour accéder au jardin et on a déjà l'eau à la bouche en voyant les foccacia qui sortent tout juste du four. Et puis on découvre un petit havre de paix coloré, en plein coeur de la ville. Le service est adorable et on salive devant la carte alléchante. Au menu, spécialités italiennes faites maisons et produits de saison. C'était une belle soirée d'été… 🌸 #52andthesecretgarden #garden #secretgarden #terrasse #bonneadresse #restaurant #brussels #ixelles #italianrestaurant #italianfood #secretplace #food #healthyfood #veggie #foodlover #foodie #foodporn #dinner #soireedete #friends #pepitesdamour

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52 and The Secret Garden, chaussée de Vleurgat 52, 1050 Ixelles. More info on 52andthesecretgarden.be.

La Petite Production

Brace yourselves, brunch lovers! Because La Petite Production serves brunch 7 days a week, and all day long. Yes, you read that right. Who said you had to wait until Sunday for brunch? Here, the staff is welcoming and the smell of coffee fills the room… You instantly feel at home. The place has a modern atmosphere with a touch of warmth brought by the exposed bricks and natural materials such as wood. Small Formica chairs add a splash of color to space.

On the menu, between eggs of all kinds, bacon, pancakes, sausages, French toast, beans or fresh viennoiseries, brunch aficionados will find everything they need! La Petite Production is definitely one of the best brunch places in Brussels.

La Petite Production, rue du Couloir 5, 1050 Ixelles. More info on lapetiteproduction.be.

Ixelles Ponds

Right by Flagey Square, you’ll find the Ixelles Ponds, one of the nicest places for a walk, picnic or a run in Ixelles. This trendy and romantic spot is home to some of the most beautiful houses in Brussels, mixing various architectural styles: neo-classical, Flemish neo-renaissance, art nouveau and art deco. If you’re in the Flagey area, this is a must-see!

Atelier Relief

Nestled in the heart of Brussels, Atelier Relief is a beautiful art gallery with an interesting twist. The concept? To go out of the frame of classic photography by bringing it an architectural dimension. Atelier Relief is located in a former Brussels embassy, in a beautiful house at the corner of a street. This unique setting makes it one of the most beautiful workshops/art galleries in Brussels.

Atelier Relief, rue Vilain XIIII 20, 1050 Bruxelles. More info on atelier-relief.com.

About the author Hello there! I'm Charlotte, based in beautiful Brussels and passionate about traveling, food and photography. Follow me @thetinynomad!