Apr 2, 2025

Rood Klooster Brussels

700 year old pastoral escape

""Rood Klooster" is one of my places to go outside of Brussels when I'm tired of the city, and this is a charming art center, bio brasserie and ateliers..."

I’m a country boy who came to live in a big city. Sometimes, the wall of sound, the insensate concrete, the cars, the cars, the cars and their fumes in my lungs stir an indistinct yearning deep in my soul for an Arcadian outing.

Brussels’ routes for escape are many. For example, check the Dudenpark articleJosaphat park articleWoluwepark article or the Ter Kamerenbos article. Yet, the Rood Klooster (Red Cloister) is my favorite place to appease my country soul.

The pleasures are multiple. You can enjoy a long forest walk in the surrounding Zoniënwoud, along ponds, swamps and mushrooms. The domain has history as well. Some of the buildings date back to the 14th century of what was once an important, wealthy Augustinian priory. It has always been a place for artists to reside and find inspiration. The famous 15th century Flemish primitive painter Hugo van der Goes is one of them. 20th century painter Paul Delvaux was a regular visitor too. No wonder the Rood Klooster site today is home to an art center and Belgian artist ateliers. There is also a charming bio-brasserie – located in the old porter’s house – where you can have a yummy raclette (molten cheese) sandwich and a bio-beer. All products are organic and local.

But maybe my country craving finds its ultimate satisfaction in the farm animals such as horses, donkeys, dogs, geese and chickens running around on the site while a lovely dung heap steams in the winter cold.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

About this spot

Rood Kloosterstraat, Oudergem

Bio-beer:

4

Find your way with 292 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Brussels guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Brussels

Chyl

Healthy Lifestyle

Chyl is a very cute café/restaurant with an excellent plant game. It's the place you bring your girlfriends for a healthy brunch to cure your hangover.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sarah

Filion

Apr 14, 2025

Minigolf Josaphat

Fun for all

Fun family activity - check! Original date - check! Fun afternoon with friends - check! Mini golf shouldn't just be known as a camping trip activity!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Sarah

Filion

Apr 13, 2025

Elbow Lunch Counter

Ultimate Deli Experience

They have the tastiest Philly cheese steaks, Italian BLT, pastrami sandwich and filter coffee refills. Take the counter seats for the ultimate experience.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sarah

Filion

Apr 13, 2025

Raki

Fine wine bar

I was impressed by the Pommes Dauphine with de Herve cheese, but what stole my heart was the Hamachi, sliced perfectly, and it came with labneh & fig leaf.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Emilia

D'Ettorres

Apr 13, 2025

Sao Thai Cuisine

Thai culture to taste

When I come to Sao Thai with my friends, we order a couple of plates of the “Assiette Sao”, which includes an assortment of 6 different warm starters...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Emilia

D'Ettorres

Apr 13, 2025
Bombay BBQ Brussels

Bombay BBQ

Indian fusion plates to share

The main idea is to order different plates (meat, fish, veggies) and share them! And according to the best Indian tradition, the food gets quite spicy...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Emilia

D'Ettorres

Apr 13, 2025
Knees to Chin Brussels

Knees to Chin

Snack on rice paper rolls

"Knees to Chin" in Brussels can be both a healthy snack joint and a fully-fledged Vietnamese restaurant! I love the vibe and their famous spring rolls...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sarah

Filion

Apr 13, 2025
Flagey Building Brussels

Flagey Building

A leading culture house

The "Flagey Building", which used to house the National Radio Broadcasting Institute, has become one of Brussels' leading cultural institutions!

002-building
Art & culture
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Petra

Perazzini

Apr 12, 2025
Boitsfort Market Brussels

Boitsfort Market

Like a village market

"Boitsfort Market" in Brussels makes for a relaxed Sunday in a green area among locals. I regularly go there and I really enjoy the village feel!

017-plant-1
Relaxing
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Petra

Perazzini

Apr 12, 2025

Kamoun

Levantine cuisine to share

The watermelon with baked halloumi and honey will make you wonder how come you didn’t put these two together before. Be prepared to stay long...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Emilia

D'Ettorres

Apr 10, 2025
Le 203 Brussels

Le 203

Seasonal bistro cuisine

The counter just in front of the open kitchen where the team of Le 203 accurately plates up and serves each dish is definitely where the magic begins...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Emilia

D'Ettorres

Apr 10, 2025
Botanique Brussels

Botanique

Botanical garden & cultural complex

"Botanique" is the name of the Botanical Garden of Brussels which is now a cultural complex and a perfect example of the city's multicultural identity...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Charlotte

Mewis

Apr 9, 2025

Heading to Brussels?

292 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

292 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Brussels

Get to know our other Spotters from Brussels

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
29
Filters