The lovely squares and terraces of the European Quarter

Are you looking for a break in a large, quiet area, mainly reserved for pedestrians and soft mobility? Welcome to Place Jourdan, one of the largest squares in the European Quarter, but also one of the capital’s emblematic places! 

The square is named after a 19th century doctor and philanthropist and is the historic centre of commune of Etterbeek. It has recently undergone a complete transformation, turning it into an airy space where people can meet and relax. Freed from car parking in its centre, the square is more convivial, especially on a Sunday, which is market day. 

Place Jourdan hosts a number of very inviting terraces, such as that of the Schievelavabo, with its warm welcome and its menu of typical Belgian dishes. Fancy a wine and tapas bar? Make your way to Pepete & Ronron, with its warm, Mediterranean atmosphere. Authentic Brussels brasserie Signature offers its meat and fish specialities. For generous and tasty Syrian street food, head to Mine Madeh! And last but not least, if you're craving chips, you're in luck! The square is home to Friterie Antoine, one of the best chip shops in Brussels, and an institution for over 70 years! 

The setting is quite different at Place Jean Rey – named after the President of the European Commission from 1967 to 1970 – which is much younger as it was only inaugurated in 2001! One of the aims was to promote diversity and avoid the monotony of a district composed mainly of offices... 

The square was designed to be a place where people would enjoy spending time, with the planting of trees, the installation of water fountains and numerous benches. It's a popular spot for people to spend their lunch hour! 

The terraces here will allow you to get away from it all! Grand Central’s impressive volumes and its large terrace are a delight, as is its semi-industrial, design aesthetic and its chic urban atmosphere! The W xyz bar – at the Aloft Brussels Schuman hotel – is renowned for its cocktails, music and events! 

Place du Luxembourg, Place Lux or Plux for the cool kids, is the place to be on warm summer evenings, but also at lunchtime during the week. The pavements are lined with endless terraces, and the atmosphere is often festive, especially when people start to leave their offices! Thursday evenings are for after-work drinks, and on Tuesdays the square hosts an organic market. 

You’re bound to find something to your liking on these terraces. The Ginette Bar serves Ginette, of course, but not only that, and the majority of their dishes are organic! Classy and trendy, Café Luxembourg offers, among other things, cocktails and home-made snacks! A brasserie known for its food, Quartier Léopold offers the possibility of booking certain spaces for professional or private functions. The elegant Beer Factory serves up reasonably-priced dishes and cocktail dinners to go with its selection of local beers!

If you're looking for a small, festive and sunny square, Place de Londres is the place for you! In the 2000s, it was completely redeveloped, making it partially inaccessible to cars. This is fantastic for pedestrians, cyclists and the terraces, which are often crowded with international customers. The European institutions are close by, but so are Matongé and Porte de Namur, which explains the square's cosmopolitan atmosphere! 

We have put together a little selection of the terraces in this small oasis of tranquillity. El Turco is a self-service Mediterranean restaurant with an Ottoman influence. Everything is 100% home-made and priced by weight. At Stoemelings, a charming and typically Brussels bar, you'll find an extensive beer list. A relaxed atmosphere, a great breakfast, books and comics await you at Léopold Café Presse. At Bia Mara, you can enjoy their freshly prepared speciality, fish and chips, and choose between classic versions or more original preparations. A bistro-style gastronomic restaurant, Chou pays particular attention to the pairing of food and wine! 

Just a stone's throw from the beautiful Cinquantenaire Park, make a stop at the area known as Carrefour Jean Monnet. This tangle of streets is packed with places to relax and enjoy a terrace, so why not head down to this dynamic neighbourhood!