Best parks in Brussels + park cafes & kiosks

Everyone has their favourite green area of the city but what are the best parks in Brussels and in-park cafes and kiosks? Our contributor Darya Chernokova brings her list of favourite spots:

Brussels Park – located right in the city center across the Royal Palace – what can be better? If you feel peckish, there is a @woodpeckerpark cafe right in the middle of the park!
Location: The city of Brussels

Parc du Cinquantenaire – a majestic park with a triumph arc and some of the Brussels famous museums, right near EU institutions.
Location: Etterbeek

Bois de la Cambre – the most popular park/forest for weekend strolls and picnics when it’s warm. In its south part, Bois de la Cambre merges with an endless Sonian Forest. It also has a few nice spots where you can grab a bite and/or a proper meal: @woodpeckerpark, @leflore.brussels, or have a fully-fledged dining experience: @le_chalet_robinson.
Location: Ixelles

Leopold park – located behind the European Parliament, this small park with a lake is a peaceful green space in the busy EU quarter.
Across the park there is a popular bar @legrandcentral and a cafe @living_room_brussels.
Location: EU Quarter Brussels

Egmont Park – another little park, hidden in the middle of a shopping-business district, is a perfect place for a lunch break on the grass/bench or at a wonderful @lafabriqueresto.
Location: The city of Brussels

Elisabeth Park – located right in front of the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg, this park has nice views on the basilica and the Northern district of Brussels with its glass skyscrapers in the distance.
Location: Koekelberg

Parc de Laeken and Jardins du Fleuriste – both parks located in Laeken and are connected to each other. Park de Laeken is a huge domain which includes the Royal Palace where the Belgian Royal Family resides, and the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken. Jardins du Fleuriste is an idyllic mini park with secret passages and a small panoramic view on the city.
Location: Laeken

Park Josaphat – quite a big park with 2 small lakes and a view on a city at its top part.
Location: Schaerbeek

A couple of other parks that are not so well-known and are somewhat off-the-beaten track:
Forest Park
Parc Tour et Taxis

For more inspirations, you can follow Darya on Instagram!