Why come to Leuven?
Leuven, the capital city of Flemish Brabant, is a small university town right on the doorstep of Brussels. It's the kind of place that punches well above its weight, though. It might only have 90,000 souls living within its municipal border, but that border also encloses the oldest and largest university in the Low Countries – the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven – and the largest brewing company in the world – AB InBev of Stella Artois fame.
As a thriving student town, gifted with ancient colleges, ringed by science parks and plagued by hordes of cycling graduates, it could be a Belgian version of Oxford or Cambridge. Just arguably with nicer food, better beer and a thick Flemish accent.
As a visitor, expect a friendly welcome, especially for those partial to a sip or three of Belgium's amber nectar. But while Leuven's big corporate brewer – and its Stella, Leffe and Hoegaarden brands – may dominate the bars and cafés, there's plenty else to distract and savor for the beer connoisseur.
This year the venue is close to the beautiful “Meerdaal woud” a forest and nature reserve crossed by the Dyle river, which contains not only nice walks and cycling routes, but also lovely restaurants and brasseries grouped around the “zoete waters” and two wild-camping spots.
https://www.visitleuven.be/en/see-do
https://www.visitleuven.be/en/leuven-untold-stories
https://visitleuven.be/en/plan-your-visit
Walking in Leuven
We prepared suggestions for what to see in
Leuven in one day at https://www.komoot.com/tour/1954661670
Leuven in a few hours: https://www.komoot.com/tour/1956973693
Eating in Leuven
There are a few streets that have too many restaurants to mention:
1. Muntstraat
2. Tiensestraat from Rector De Somerplein
3. Parijsstraat
4. Mechelsestraat
5. Big market
Honorable mentions:
- Dewerf (students love it) similar: "Bar Stan"or "Het strand".
- Voltaire (bit more fancy), Gainsbourg (Grill), De Hoorn
- Life Bar / Oats day long (Where I take an acai breakfast)
- Domus (brewery , taste the house beers!)
- Raffat (pakistani), Similar "Sud Sud" (Mediteranian), Q'bo (Friendly Mexican ladies)
- Sakura (not cosy but VERY good sushi)
- Inizio (pasta bar, mention Frederik, he is a good friend), Guzzi, Rossi (slow food **michelin**) "Zoff" (zoff has special opening hours, check if they are open).
Beers in Leuven
Squares with many bars.
- Old market: longest bar in europe, Find "Cafe Allé" or "Apero" You must visit the square at lease once.
- Big market: Find "In den engel"
- Mathieu de Layensplein
Honorable mentions
- "Florida" Food bar (more to the edge of Leuven, nice terrace with hot weather)
- OPEK Chill, more alternative atmosphere.
- Irish pub "Thomas Stapleton"
- Domus (Brewery, taste the house beers)