Le Cirio, Brussels

Le Cirio is one of Brussels’ historic cafés, known for preserving the atmosphere of the late nineteenth-century café culture that once flourished across Europe. The establishment takes its name from its founder, Francesco Cirio, an Italian entrepreneur who also founded one of Belgium’s first tomato-canning factories. Opened in 1886, the café quickly became part of the lively social scene of the Belgian capital, at a time when elegant cafés in cities such as Paris, Vienna, and Rome served as informal salons for writers, artists, and intellectuals.

The interior of Le Cirio still reflects that era, with authentic Art Nouveau décor that has been carefully maintained. Mirrors, decorative moldings, and period lighting create an atmosphere reminiscent of Brussels’ golden age of café culture. Over the years, the café attracted notable figures, including celebrated writers Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas, and later became a gathering spot for Belgian surrealist painters and members of the CoBrA artistic movement.

Today, Le Cirio continues to evoke this rich artistic heritage, offering visitors a chance to experience one of Brussels’ classic cafés where history, literature, and art once met over coffee and conversation.