Rooftops in Brussels: our favorite rooftop terraces for summer 2026

Updated June 24, 2026 by Pierre

There's a specific moment each year when Brussels changes its mood. The days lengthen, the first truly balmy evening arrives, and suddenly you no longer feel like having a drink at the bar of a café We want height, sky, a horizon of rooftops and steeples. For a long time, we envied other cities for this. Brussels wasn't really into rooftops. That time is over, and frankly, we never tire of it.

We've spent quite a few evenings these past few summers hopping from one rooftop to another. Some captivated us, others less so, and we've ended up creating our own mental map of the city from above. Here it is, listed not alphabetically, but by what you're in the mood for. Whether you're looking for a picture-perfect scene, a truly excellent cocktail, a vibrant atmosphere, or a secluded perch far from the crowds, we'll tell you where to go this summer.

The classics of the center, open sky

If you're launching your tour, start by The BeerLabOn the rooftop of the former Stock Exchange (80 Boulevard Anspach, 1000 Brussels), this is probably the best value for money in the city: access is free from 16 pm, once the Belgian Beer World tours are over, the terrace wraps completely around the building, and the Belgian beer menu is endless. Our advice, as a Brussels local who's been there before: get there early, because the outdoor tables disappear in minutes on sunny evenings.

Right next door, towards the Mint, the Rooftop 58 (1 rue de l'Évêque, 1000) has a laid-back vibe. You order everything through the app, share sweet potato fries (regulars swear by them), and sip a cocktail overlooking the city center rooftops. It's simple, efficient, and very popular on weekends, so make a reservation if you don't want to queue downstairs.

Still on the topic of Anspach, but at number 30, High House It opened more recently above the Grand Casino Viage. Access through the casino is a little disorienting at first, be warned, but once you're up there you'll find a rather pleasant Mediterranean terrace (padron, nachos, spritz on the menu) and an unobstructed view of the city center. Self-service, as is often the case on Brussels rooftops these days.

A more nuanced mention for the Secret Rooftop by Warwick (5 rue Duquesnoy, 1000), perched atop the hotel of the same name, just steps from the Grand-Place. The view of the Town Hall tower is indeed lovely, but the entrance fee (€10, refunded with a drink) and the self-service bar put many people off. Save it for a quick drink if you're already in the area, rather than for the whole evening.

For a really well-made cocktail

If we had to single out just one aspect of cocktails, it would be The EightOn the eighth floor of the Bedford Hotel (135 Rue du Midi, 1000 Brussels), it's our favorite, and we're not alone: ​​a relaxed atmosphere, carefully designed lighting, and bartenders who take the time to craft a custom drink just for you. The price of its popularity is that you often have to wait a bit, and when it rains (it's Brussels, after all, it happens) you have to retreat inside. But when the weather cooperates, it's one of the best ways to start an evening out in the city.

In another register, Stop (Square Victoria Regina 1, 1210) plays Mexico up high, on the side of the Botanique. Margaritas, cauliflower tacos, churros and even a small photo booth for the end of the evening: it's festive, a bit pricey, but the place lives up to its promises.

For evenings that stretch on, head to... COCO (1 rue Capitaine Crespel, 1050 Ixelles), tucked away behind Avenue Louise. This is more of an open-air club than a quiet bar: its 300-square-meter rooftop transforms into a dance floor under the stars as soon as the weather warms up, with DJ sets and summer editions from Thursday to Sunday, from 19 pm to 2:30 am. Reservations are required for dinner, but walk-ins are welcome for drinks, and dress accordingly.

Further to the southeast, Romeo (25 Boulevard du Souverain, 1170 Watermael-Boitsfort) occupies the terrace of MixThis brutalist 70s ocean liner, once the headquarters of Royale Belge, offers cocktails, Italian platters, and the famous free slice of pizza with every drink. A resident DJ plays on Thursdays and Fridays, all on a large south-facing terrace with sun loungers and views towards the Sonian Forest. Its slightly out-of-the-way location means it's less crowded, making it a great escape when the city center is packed.

Culture takes to the air

Our favorite rooftops aren't always permanent bars. Some of the most beautiful are cultural terraces that only open in the summer, and that's precisely what makes them so precious. spoils Rooftop (23 rue Ravenstein, 1000) is a perfect example: perched atop the Horta building of the Palais des Beaux-Arts, it combines panoramic views, greenery, and a program of events (concerts, screenings, talks). The rooftop wasn't originally designed to house a bar, so there's a security check at the entrance and sometimes a bit of a wait, but it still draws people back every summer. Open seasonally, from Wednesday to Sunday in the late afternoon.

The same spirit prevails on the part of the Beursschouwburg (20-28 rue Auguste Orts, 1000), whose rooftop hosts free concerts in the summer with a lovely view of the Stock Exchange. A small, honest warning: it's a steep climb to the very top of the building and there's no elevator, so you'll have done your walking for the day. The space is compact and fills up quickly, but a late afternoon of jazz in the sun is well worth the climb.

Finally Albert (Mont des Arts 28, 1000) is a bit of an oddity, and that's why we love it. Access to this rooftop is through the palace overlooking Mont des Arts, and it's more of a daytime spot (brunch, seasonal cuisine, coffee, and pastries) than an evening one. The very 70s canteen-style decor isn't for everyone, but the view of the city and the raw, industrial feel of the place have their loyal fans, and we're among them.

Neighborhood perches

Far from the tourist trails, Why (132 Chaussée de Charleroi, 1060 Saint-Gilles) is one of those places you keep a secret. It's the rooftop of the JAM Hotel, right at the top: a concrete-effect atmosphere, a long swimming pool, a heated and sheltered terrace for cooler evenings, and expertly crafted cocktails. It's cozy, well hidden, and you have to take the elevator and then walk the rest of the way to get there, but that's part of the charm.

On the European Quarter side, The Roof by The 1040 (Place Jourdan 1, 1040 Etterbeek) combines a brasserie on the ground floor and a rooftop bar for aperitifs. It's the ideal spot for after-work drinks in Place Jourdan, between a fricadelle from Maison Antoine and a drink with a view while the sun is still shining.

At the very top, and on the outskirts of the city

For the most breathtaking view, go up to Purple29 (30 Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 1000), literally on the twenty-ninth floor of a tower in the North district. Refined Iberian cuisine, a rooftop garden, the feeling of floating above Brussels: this is the most spectacular option on our list, and the setting is just as suitable for dinner as for drinks on clear evenings.

We end with Soko Rooftop (Mechelsesteenweg 455, 1950 Kraainem), and let's be honest: we're not quite in Brussels anymore. Soko is located in Kraainem, on the eastern edge of the Region, near Stockel. That's precisely what makes it different: instead of the city rooftops, you have an unobstructed view of the greenery, perfect at sunset. Asian cuisine meant for sharing, reservations that open two weeks in advance of your desired month, and clearly one of the most beautiful views in the entire periphery.

Our verdict from Brussels residents

Around fifteen rooftop bars, for a city that was said to be incapable of looking up not so long ago: we've come a long way. If we had to choose from the pile:

• The BeerLab for the no-nonsense approach.
• The Eight for the cocktail,
• Bozar and Beursschouwburg for the culture under the sun,
• Perched for the address confidential,
• Lila29 or Soko when you want to impress someone. The rest can be discovered over the course of the summer, ideally on a clear evening, which in Brussels remains the only real reservation that cannot be guaranteed.