Discover our neighbourhood
The Cureghem neighbourhood in Anderlecht is not immediately known as the most popular or comfortable quarter in Brussels, yet there are several reasons why this area arouses our enthusiasm. Logistically well located: easy to reach by both public transport and car and also just about the last place in Brussels where there is still a lot of open space and undeveloped terrain: a playground for anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit in their blood. Affordable, charming, inventive and with a witticism: in what follows, we attempt to capture Cureghem in a number of places and portraits.
Laid-back authentic!
Whether it is restaurants, cafes, concert halls or sports facilities, there is one common thread in Cureghem: the offerings are local, driven by people with passion and a contagious story. There are no prizes to be won here for facades, views or dishes that can be swung on Instagram in no time, but rather for places with a history and a loyal fan base. Our guess? It's why you'll feel right at home: Cureghem is laid-back authentic.
What would you like to know?
Click an picto and start exploring!
Lunch
Cureghem is one of those neighbourhoods in Brussels that has not yet succumbed to the wave of hip coffee bars, gluten-free pizzerias or trendy eateries. So don't expect Starbucks or breakfast spots with oatmeal and pancakes here. On the contrary: you have to search a bit for the gems but you will find family-run shops that have been around for years, working with local and fresh products, following a recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation for years. No glossy instagram material, but authentic and honest cuisine.
La Baguette Cavaleri
You better think twice before dismissing La Baguette Cavaleri as just another sandwich shop. Rita & Allessandro make everything themselves: from focciacia and sandwiches to pizza and pasta, all with a smile!
After 10 years, they have built up a very loyal clientele. If you want to go for a 'quick' sandwich at noon, be warned: the queue here can get very long. You do better to order online, that way you also get rid of the choice stress of a list of about 50 sandwiches.
Chez Rosario
At Chez Rosario, mother, son and daughter are in the kitchen. Next year in March they will be celebrating 30 years and it is exactly this family dynamic that makes you come back here. Everything here is made by hand: the grandmother's way and with fresh produce. You will find a quick snack here, but also top ingredients and recipe tips for those who want to take that 'culinary trip' to Italy at home.
Entre nous
When you enter here, you immediately notice the large table in the middle of the restaurant: Entre nous exudes a family atmosphere. Local products have been used here since the beginning. Obvious in summer, but in winter this forces creativity. From pickling to canning: all techniques are used here to put sustainability at the heart of the kitchen. You can come here for a healthy lunch, but they also organise workshops to learn how to preserve food longer yourself.
Afterwork
Something for everyone and off the beaten track: this is how to experience your afterwork in Cureghem. The places below are more than just a café where you can spend the day. Having a nice meal with your colleagues or catching a concert after a long day at work? It's all possible in Anderlecht!
Brussels Beer Project - Port Sud
BBP hardly needs an introduction, this Port Sud is the latest new addition to the 'craft brewery' which saw the light of day in 2013. This beautiful new building houses BBP's 100% green and new brewery. In summer, you can enjoy the trendy waterside terrace, while in winter the café is closed to the public but you can take guided tours and plan tastings in groups. Highly recommended in our opinion, the rooftop bar offers an unseen view of Brussels!
Volta
Let's be clear: Volta is not a café, nor, strictly speaking, just a concert hall. Volta is an organisation working for the musical sector in Brussels. They offer residencies and studios for budding musicians. The advantage for us? They regularly open their doors and organise concerts so those musicians can gain stage experience. Guaranteed to spot up-and-coming talent, learn about distinctive programming and shake loose those dancing legs.
Antidote
For three years now, Antidote can be listed as Cureghem's most charming café. It is a combination of canteen, bar and event location. From Wednesday to Sunday, you can come here for honest food, an interesting beer menu and the occasional musical programme to entertain you. In the afternoon, you will find mostly locals and people working in the neighbourhood, in the evening and on weekends people come here from all over Brussels to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. Our tip? The pizza here is baked in a homemade wood-fired oven. Booking is the message!
Sports
Anyone thinking of a canal zone may not immediately think of sports. And yet: in Cureghem there are plenty of opportunities to indulge in physical activity. There may not be any nice parks for long walks, but they have been creative about that here. You can count on an atypical combination of previously unknown sports and classics!
Urban Padel & Beach volley
Especially in summer, it can get quite busy here: the Circle Park Sports Arena on Rue Dante totally lives up to the hype that has been keeping Belgium busy for several summers now: Padel! This venue is a three-year pop-up where, besides padel, you can also play 'beach' volleyball, spikeball... the possibilities are endless. The formulas here are mainly aimed at groups, but you can also rent a court as an individual or a group of colleagues.
Address: Rue Dante 22, 1070 Anderlecht
Running & cycling
The classic of all sports! The canal zone in Anderlecht is one of the few places in Brussels where, as a jogger, you are not confronted with hills on your running route. The embankments along the Brussels-Charleroi canal are therefore a popular route for runners and cyclists, especially on weekends and in fine weather. There is little interesting sightseeing along the canal, but on the water there is plenty happening: from boats passing by to rowers training at the Anderlecht rowing club.
A great starting point: Pierre-Marchant bridge, 1070 Anderlecht
Petit île – Climbing hall
The bouldering gym Petit île was created in 2018 by a group of 6 passionate climbers. All levels are welcome here: there are classes for beginners, specifically for women or refresher classes for climbers who are already more experienced. Even without lessons, you are welcome to come climbing here. You can take a breather in the cosy bar, where they serve snacks in addition to their cool (and local!) beer menu.
Urban economy
Although the canal zone in Anderlecht is historically known more as a (former) industrial zone, in recent years it has also seen huge investments in new technologies by young entrepreneurs and start-ups. Cureghem is still one of the few places where there is space, and many large and industrial buildings are empty. In other words, the ideal place to experiment with new technologies and ideas for more sustainability in the city.
Urbike
Urbike is a rapidly growing organisation that has been providing transport in the city by bicycle since 2018. It also guides cities and municipalities in the redevelopment towards more sustainable logistics solutions and provides organisations in the city with sustainable solutions for their transport. For them, Anderlecht is a logical place for their scale-up: trucks can easily reach Urbike, allowing them to take care of the last kilometres within the city.
Urban farming
Anyone who thinks of a metropolis like Brussels does not immediately think of agriculture. And yet that is exactly what is happening at the Abbatoir site in Anderlecht, and in a very inventive way! Take for example Bigh, an initiative uniting a network of sustainable aquaponic farms. Many things come together in the Foodmet buildings: Bel Akker's urban farm with herbs, tomatoes and small fruit on the roof, Ferme Abbatoir's salmon trout fish farm, and Eclo's mushrooms in the basement of the Abbatoir site
Address: Rue Ropsy Chaudron, 1070 Anderlecht
Kiekebich
For those who gave up on their sourdough project after COVID, Kiekebich is a great place to reminisce: here, they still take the time for for the natural rising process of the dough. That is why they only work to order here. That way there is no surplus that ends up in the bin. Tom, the baker, changed direction after a career as an artist's manager and trained as a miller: that's where the spark struck. Don't expect gluten-free breads here, the traditional method of preparation is central. Small-scale, local and conscious in Anderlecht, a 'real Brussels' initiative!
Accomodation
Due to its proximity to Brussels' South Station, quite a few hotels have settled in the neighbourhood. This should not be surprising as around 8 million business and tourist overnight stays are booked in Brussels every year, and the proximity to the city centre makes the neighbourhood ideally located. Nevertheless, we like to separate the wheat from the chaff for you and present the following accommodation options, in the immediate vicinity of The Faculty and with an attractive offer for a business audience.
Hotel Pullman Brussels Midi
At the Pullman hotel, you can count on comfort, modernity and design. It is therefore the luxury four-star hotel of the Accor group, located at the exit of Brussels Midi Station. From the Pullman Hotel you can be at The Faculty in five minutes, public transport departs at the front door and parking is on the other side of the street. Furthermore, the rooms there, from Classis to Deluxe, meet the highest standards.
Address: Place Victor Horta 1, 1060 Brussels
Apart City
For those who do not feel at home in a hotel environment, Apart City offers furnished flats with a kitchenette for self-catering as well as a sitting and working area. Coffee can be made in the room, but in the morning you can sit back and rely on the breakfast buffet.
Address: Rue Rossini 38A, 1070 Anderlecht
Meininger Hotel Brussels Midi Station
Meininger hotels are well known in Europe's major cities for their modern equipment and affordable rooms. They are therefore very popular with a slightly younger crowd, but certainly also have a correct offer for business clients.
Address: Rue Bara 101, 1070 Brussels