Atmosphere, historic, great food and staff, what's not to like? I've been stopping by for years, Le Cirio just last year went though a renovation but it didn't destroy the original feel. Not to many tourists, a huge bonus, it attracts mostly long time local patrons leading to good conversations. Never had a mediocre meal there. Great place to people watch while enjoying a refreshment and/or dinner. Highly recommended but remember the staff will not be in a hurry to serve you so be patient and enjoy the Belgium way to enjoy a evening. read more

If you want the Belgian experience, you must try Le Cirio! It carries the original Belgian dishes and also has half and half (I think it actually originated here!) A great place for a nice meal, or for casual drinks! Just make sure that you don't look like a hobo when entering. read more

We loved this old bar, it is in the city center not far from the palace square. This bar has a wonderful beer selection the prices are reasonable and it is old school wit the restaurant sleeping on a chair and lots of locals. They had lots of Trappist beers, even Westvleteren 12. 17 euro. Good Belgian food the chicken stew waterzooi Vol-Austin-vent and beef stew carbonnades flamandes were good. read more

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Similar to someone else's experience, I was great Ed and asked to sit. 15 mins later I still had not been asked if I wanted something to drink or a menu. I got up and left, letting the bartender know of the poor service on my way out. He didn't seem to care. read more

For that city that has no real cafés like Vienna, Le Cirio is the only place with historic charm and style to go! Since 1886, this place welcomes for a little break and having a coffee, tea, beer, wine or "half en half", a glass filled to the top with 50% champagne and 50% wine. I found it always cosy and the waiters professional (also not common in Brussels), although a face-lifting renovation would surely not harm a place of this age. read more

Another phenomenal old place that you have to have a drink at just to soak up the ambiance. very nice upscale bar looking out over the stock-market. And head to the bathrooms, they are interesting with the great old fixtures read more

A great place for the atmosphere. The food is good, but not great. But nor is it very expensive either. Nb. Cash only! read more

We loved the atmosphere and the food but our waiter was extremely rude and appeared to have an attitude. It could be that we are Americans that do not speak French but it seemed to really irritate him when my friend and I asked to split spaghetti. He brought her a place mat and silverware and brought my glass of wine along with the check. My husband ordered the soup of the day which the waiter said was tomato. He brought the soup that was vegetable and never brought the sandwich. When the spaghetti and soup arrived, my husband asked for silverware for me which the waiter brought with no plate or placemat and he was upset by the request. I used the bread plate to eat my dinner. Our waiter, in the back room of the restaurant, took care of other tables promptly while we waited a long time for our drinks and for the food we ordered. Unfortunately, I can not recommend this restaurant for Americans or anyone that wants to share food. read more

Le Cirio - Brasseries Near Me - Brussels, BRU

We only stopped in to try their famous "half and half" half champagne and half white wine. The decor here is great! Feels like we went back in time- very classic and I found myself staring at the walls and ceiling instead of actually talking to my partner who was sitting right across from me. Once we ordered, the drink was poured right in front of us and the drink also came with a tiny little bowl of pretzels and other crackers. The service we had was superb and I would recommend popping by to try the drink out and to even check out the decor! read more

I happened to try Carbonnade Flamande here (alongside the ales and abbey beers) and I must confess - I haven't tried such delicious and tender beef stew in my entire life! I also loved the fact that instead of the usual potato chips that normally go with this dish - I was served one plate with the potatoes floating in the heavenly gravy. Interior wise this place will definitely suit a retro/ antique lover - and it was amazing how the waiter could remember every order without writing it down!! I guess I don't have to mention that the ales tasted superb!! read more

Le Cirio - Carbonnade Flamande - Brasseries Near Me - Brussels, BRU

This old snack bar next to the Bourse was founded in the 19th century by some Italian count and has not really been updated since then (thankfully). It looks like a traditional bistro but it serves very little hot food and the menu comprises mostly of baguette sandwiches and cold meats. However, the chicken waterzooi is very good and warming. For ambience, it is hard to beat this place. It feels like (and is) a top-class 19th century watering hole and one can imagine Belge dukes and lords regaling each other here with glasses of kriek or one-on-one (a speciality of the house here). Try it - you won't regret it! read more

The bread is hard and the chicken is tough. I think this place was once great but it's clear they are cutting corners and the product is failing. Would not come here again nor would I recommend this place to ANYONE read more

Excellent ambience and food at a really nice place! Had beef carbonade, really tasty and not too expensive. Beer was also really good. One of the nicest places in Brussels! read more

Le Cirio - Drinks! - Brasseries Near Me - Brussels, BRU

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Worst food ever! If you want to drink a beer in a museum, that's ok. But never, never eat anything there! It is awful! read more

Le Cirio - Brasseries Near Me - Brussels, BRU

Good food! Service was so-so! Ordered the carbonade (beef stew cooked w/ beer) and waterzooli (chicken stew/ chicken soup which tasted bland) paid$35 for 2 people! Will come back next time to try read more

We went around 9pm on a Thursday night and there were maybe 10 tables occupied inside, which made for a fantastic, cozy atmosphere that was perfect after a long day of sight seeing in fairly big crowds. I ordered the carbonnade beef stew and a half and half because I had seen both recommended in others' reviews. The half and half was good, but the stew was amazing! My boyfriend got a Croque Monsieur and french fries and enjoyed his meal a lot as well. We also had no trouble ordering in English. And I have to agree with others that the decor is the best part about this place. All in all, a wonderful experience that I can't recommend highly enough! read more

This old-school, fancy cafe serves delicious food. Their carbonnades flamandes were the best we tried in Belgium. The waterzooi (chicken and vegetable stew) was also delicious. They have a long beer list including Chimay and Trappist which is pretty standard for the area. The service is average. This place gets really packed but they have lots of tables so we were able to squeeze in with 5 people the two times we came here. read more

The sandwiches and baguettes are supermarket quality. Worst 11.25 Euro I ever spent.

Great place. Nice service. Beer was obviosly of fines quality and the food was tasty and fresh. Nice ambience.

I really loved this place. Even though I came here on my own with a reservation, there was plenty of space and the waiter was really accommodating. For everything that you order, you get your check right away so you can pay and leave whenever you want (if you're paying with cash). The food is also quite good, so it's a perfect place to take a break, take a drink, eat some food, and people watch and enjoy Brussels. read more

Maybe they should rename this place to Le Chat. They have this really aloof well-fed brownish-grey cat with eerie orange eyes that have all the passing tourists stop for photos and selfies. More entertaining than watching the throngs in the Grand Place. Located just in front of the entrance to the archaeological site Bruxella 1238, an ancient Franciscan monastery, this place is a block and a half from the Grand Place. Still with the ambiance of old Brussels, but without the masses and masses of tourists. You can hear the musicians who play on the steps of the Bourse. As to the food, good renditions of classic Belgian dishes. Better than the typical brasserie in a touristic area. The service has been commented upon by others as slow. We found our server extremely attentive and polite. The kitchen is a bit slow, but when you are in the midst of ambiance, it's good to take the time to absorb. If you're looking for a quick bite, there's the McDo and Pizza Hut only fifty paces away. read more

Stoofvlees (beef stew) was amazing. Excellent waitstaff who even brought an English menu to our table upon welcoming us to the restaurant. Trappist beers were very tasty and paired nicely with food. read more

Came for the carbonnades flamandes and definitely was a good choice! I mean, how could you go wrong by putting beer in beef stew? Fantastic food close to Grand Place. Highly recommended!! read more

Great ambiance, friendly staff (didn't have to wait long to be served), lots of beers to choose from and the food really hit the spot. As noted in other reviews, the carbonnades flamades was excellent. I didn't see it on the menu but asked and that had it - definitely recommend it on a chilly day. Next time in Brussels, I'll be stopping here read more

This was my first stop in Brussels and it was the perfect place to start my trip. Located close to the center of the city, but just far enough to not be totally packed with tourists. Lots of outdoor seating available & a fantastic drink menu. Recommend their special half & half, very simple, but unique. I had a croque and was appropriately stuffed. A great spot for people watching and soaking up the atmosphere of Brussels! read more

Le Cirio - The most delicious fruit beer I've ever tasted! Low in alcohol content, but don't let that stop you. - Brasseries Near Me - Brussels, BRU

Fries are awesome and standard European Cafe. Waiter comes as soon as you flag them and bring beer and food quickly. Not a huge selection of beer but enough that you can likely find one you haven't had yet. When in doubt go for the Rodenburg Flanders Red Ale. read more

Waitstaff spoke multiple languages, service was so genuinely nice and they have an in house cat for cute factor. Very large menu, open late and excellent Croque Monsieur. This place definitely puts Americas late night dining experience to shame, but what doesn't in Europe?Get the half n half for an extra boost, half champagne/half vino, delicious! read more

The food at this restaurant is alright. The beer was food, but beer in general is great in Belgium. When we went here the restaurant was very crowded and packed. We got a salad, which was okay. The mussels and fries were also alright. read more

Nice location for quick lunch stop during sightseeing. Nice interior in old style. Also the staff has old uniform (most of them mature people who try to speak in your language). The service was anyway slow and inattentive. The food was just ok but it is worth anyway a visit. read more

Fantastic food. I asked the waiter about a dish. Didn't really know how big it would be, ordered something else he brought me what I had asked about.... the dish was delicious !! I am glad he got into my brain!! Beer was fantastic as I thought it would. Great location. Couldn't recommend enough for the tourist. read more

Great place to experience the charming ways of a somewhat more stylish era. You can have a great beer with friends, enjoy a "half en half" with your date, or just sit there and watch the diversity of all the different people attending this classy bistrot...when in Buxelles it's a must! read more

Great food! Relaxed atmosphere. We had the Waterzooi and the Beef Carbonnade (Stoofvlees) - both were excellent (save some bread for both - the sauces/gravy are not to be wasted)! The cat just adds to the authentic feel :) read more

Food was good and I liked the décor. We all got the Flemish stew. Be warned the fries or salad are extra and they never tell you. Ends up being around €16. You can get better for less. read more

Can't say much since we sat for quite a bit of time without anyone stopping by. We finally got up and left. The atmosphere is nice though.

I wanted to eat here but that didn't work out. The waiter was rude and he just ignored me. Never brought a menu, drinks, etc.

What a wonderful spot! A block from Grand Place, across the street from the Bourse, and a hundred years back in time. Le Cirio is a lovely art nouveau bar with three rooms--sections, really--good beer, good wine, waiters in bow ties and a convivial and lively but relaxing and unhurried atmosphere. My favorite in a city full of inviting places to drink, chat, and chill. read more

Great place for a drink and snacks! We stopped in to have a drink and warm up after walking through the winter market. It's a beautiful place with lovely 1920s decor. We only had beer, wine, and salami and cheese but enjoyed all. The waiters speak English, are very nice although it's very busy, and have an English menu. read more

Charming interior from 1893, good service, delicious grilled ham and cheese sandwich with salad (Croquet Monsieur - €6.8), and large beer (€3.85). Small beer €2.40. 12" ham on a baguette, less than €5. No disappointments in the party. read more

nice decor but lacks a decent beer list and is expensive ,but go once just to see it

We love to eat out, and I have never had a bad experience from a Yelp suggestion....until last night. The waiter told us where to sit, and expected us to know the menu by osmosis I guess. When he finally came back to the table, he was rude and annoyed that we didn't know what we wanted - since we didn't have a menu. Later, when we finally got our food, my cannelloni tasted like something that was frozen then reheated. My husband loved his croque cirio, though. read more