There’s an impressive new spot on the edge of the Brussels forest for brunch or a Brussels beer. It occupies a historic building at the old Boitsfort hippodrome known as the Pesage (where jockeys were weighed before a race).
Abandoned for many years, the site was finally restored from 2004 to 2013. Designer Lionel Jadot was then brought in to decorate the interior in his fun, quirky style. And there are plenty of tables and deck chairs for sitting out in the sun.
The cafe was taken over earlier this year by the Woodpecker group. They already run some of the city’s most relaxed cafes and kiosks in locations like Bois de la Cambre and Parc de Bruxelles. Here they have created another great spot for a coffee, beer or a healthy lunch. Open every day from 10am to 9pm.
Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.
