Sleepy traditional beer cafe located in central Brussels. It is however not that easy to find...it’s down a small alley off the main street. We visited to sample the infamous Lambic Doux and were not disappointed. They serve it from old clay jugs and it tastes rather good really. They also have a decent little bottle selection with some Cantillon etc on offer. Service was friendly and attentive. Worth a visit to get the feel of a traditional beer house and try the doux for sure.

Lambiek on tap

Very quiet traditional cafe located off an alley near the Grand Place. This place is quite easy to miss, and it took us a few passes to find it. The ambiance is very relaxed. Plenty of old wooden fixtures. The bar displayed a number of traditional lambic jugs that they use to serve their famous faro in. The service was fine. The selection’s small. The real showcase is the Lambic Doux, a rather arcane faro that’s a permanent fixture at the bar. For a faro it’s actually quite good. The prices were fair, not unreasonable. Overall, I’ll definitely be back to sink another jug of Faro here the next time I’m in Brussels.

Wow, this is a hidden realm back here. From the main ‘walkway’ you would never know this was here. My first thought was this seems like a “speakeasy” as you need to know someone to find out where it is, I did. So sebletitje and I enter the small space and took a seat in the cramp confines where there’s worn smooth wood in every direction except the bricked in fireplace. I enjoy the serving method as the Faro (and the Gueuze too maybe) is served in an aged ceramic vessel. The service was ok and I didn’t try the food as it seemed more soul-full food can be found elsewhere. As far as beer goes they have the Timmerman’s Lambic Doux Faro and a few other offerings none of which is worth heading in here. It is worth it to experience the mood and history and architecture.

Really can’t explain why I like this place this much. Try to visit it every time in Brussels for a lunch. The atmosphere feels authentic and normally there is a few locals sitting there, but rarely become crowdie. Nice, tasty and uncomplicated dishes, good value for money. Not a big beer selection, but they have what you need. Always nice to have you’re lambic served in a ceramic pot, they even mix if you want.

Nice place to go for the atmosphere. Small selection of beers with some good stuff in there but at touristy prices. Would never go regularly, but it is nice place to go to occasionally. Compared to some of the other old fashioned touristy places on the circuit it’s a bit better I reckon. Service is a bit surly, but surly in an amusing way rather than nasty.

Very traditional place close to Grand Place. They serve great lambic in a traditional stone pitcher and you can eat bred with white cheese. If you like lambics you must come to this place.

A la Bécasse specialises in faro and lambic blends although it has quite a wide range of the usual Belgian bottles too. They also serve snacks and traditional Belgian bar food such as spaghetti Bolognese, lasagne, croques and salads. It’s a nice place, reminiscent of a small German beer hall, with light wood panelled walls and a large bricked up fireplace at one end of the room. At the other end is the bar, with its highly polished copper and brass barrel and a woodcock (bécasse) perched atop. The blue and white earthenware jugs in which the lambic is served are hung behind the bar. There’s a large room upstairs and outside there’s a tiled drinking corridor with an old fireplace, although it’s open to the elements. (Visited 2 October 2012).

Nice woody interiors. Quite cold ambiance, silent place with the owner remaining behind the clerk and not chatting with customers. Beer selection is ok. Probably the most interesting thing are the traditional ceramic pots they serve lamibc from. Food selection is poor and expensive. I came here upon suggestion from an experienced beer traveller but founf the place very disappointing. Not worth a second visit to me.

A hidden and nice looking pub/restaurant close to the Grand Place. The beer menu is solid; not the biggest but with a high quality. The atmosphere is pretty quiet and no rush in early afternoon. The food is also great.