Top 3 cafes on the Parvis de Saint-Gilles

With its proximity to downtown Brussels, its access to metro and international rail (Brussels Midi is just a hop, skip and jump away) and its panoply of bars and restaurants, Saint-Gilles has become a popular destination for expats – not to mention tourists and even native Belgians.

The Parvis de Saint-Gilles, a recently pedestrianised market square stretching out in front of its eponymous church, is the commune’s beating heart. These three are our favourites of its best-loved cafés.

1 Brasserie Verschueren
Situated at the head of the Parvis, Verschueren is easy to spot on a pleasant day, when its terrace stretches across the Rue du Fort to the walls of the church itself. Even in inclement weather, however, there’s always a small crowd huddled around the corner bar’s front step and inviting you in.

The decor of this bohemian hang-out (pictured) evokes the Brussels of yesteryear, and the atmosphere is never anything but laid-back. The bar offers beer, wine and spirits, while the kitchen serves delicious homemade soups and other snacks. What’s more, this is the only place in town where you can swill the house’s signature Verschueren Triple, a hoppy beer custom brewed by the local Brasserie de la Senne. 11 Parvis de Saint-Gilles

2 Café Maison du Peuple
With its international press, complimentary wifi and resolutely contemporary interior, this Parvis hotspot is the yin to Verschueren’s yang. The bar’s rotating selection of local beers highlights not just the rich history of Belgian brewing but also the current effervescence of independent production. The kitchen serves up sandwiches, salads and antipasti non-stop.

During the day, MDP is a great place to drink a coffee and catch up on your [insert social media platform here]. At night, the bar comes alive with weekly DJ sets and monthly live concerts. There’s something here for families, too. MDP has become a popular weekend brunch destination for the procreating set. 37 Parvis de Saint-Gilles

3 Potemkine
OK, it’s not exactly on Parvis, but Potemkine is just a short walk away, in front of the Porte de Hal (which here marks the frontier between Saint-Gilles and Brussels’ ancient Marolles district). A relative newcomer to the Saint-Gilles scene, Potemkine is nonetheless part of a well-established family of Brussels bars that includes the Belga in Flagey and Bar du Matin in Forest.

The formula is similar, combining sleek modern decor with a young, international bar staff and unconventional after-work events. Board game night, anyone? But be warned: the place suffers from erratic opening hours so be sure to check online before leaving the house. Still, it’s well worth the inconvenience. 2 Avenue de la Porte de Hal

Photo courtesy irismonument.be