Mokafé

Mokafé is one of the classic cafés of central Brussels, set under the glass roof of the King's Gallery in the Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert. The galleries' own website calls it a real institution, and it has passed through four successive generations of owners. Its tables spill out into the covered arcade, creating what the galleries describe as one of the most popular terraces in the capital, sheltered from the rain but with all the life of the passage around it.

The reason most visitors stop here is the Brussels waffle. Unlike the denser Liège waffle sold from street stands, the Brussels version is light and rectangular, and here it comes crisp and served with chocolate sauce. The café also works as a brasserie with a varied menu, so you can come for breakfast, a light lunch, an afternoon coffee or a beer in the evening.

The setting is a large part of the appeal. Sitting in the gallery, you can watch shoppers browsing the chocolatiers and boutiques under the 19th-century glass roof, which makes it a pleasant place to rest during a day of sightseeing. It suits families, couples and solo travellers, and the covered terrace is a useful refuge on wet days.

According to the galleries' website, Mokafé is open every day from 07:00 to 23:00, which makes it handy for an early breakfast before the crowds or a late dessert after dinner. It can be busy in the afternoon, when waffle-hunting visitors are out in force, so come in the morning or after dinner for a calmer table. Prices are moderate given the location.

Mokafé is in the King's Gallery, a couple of minutes' walk from the Grand-Place and close to Brussels-Central station. The rest of the galleries, the Rue des Bouchers, the Cathedral and the Manneken Pis are all within a short walk, so it fits easily into any route through the old town.

If you are trying waffles for the first time, it is worth comparing the two Belgian styles during your stay: the Brussels waffle here in a café setting, and a warm Liège waffle from a street stand. Many visitors find they have a clear favourite, and a sit-down waffle in the galleries is one of the simple pleasures of a trip to Brussels.