Cafe Den Bril Poperinge

Cafe Den Bril is one of the most authentic brown cafes in Poperinge, located on one of the side streets off the Grote Markt. With its dark wooden interior, old display cases of posters and welcoming atmosphere, the cafe is a meeting place for locals and visitors looking for a traditional West Flemish cafe experience. The beer list is extensive and includes local hoppy beers, classic Belgian Trappists and rarer regional brews.

During a refurbishment a few years ago the main entrance was made step-free with a gentle slope. Once inside you are in a spacious cafe area on the ground floor with plenty of room for a wheelchair to pass. The tables stand a little closer together than in modern brasseries, but the staff are happy to move chairs to make space. There is a lowered section at the bar for wheelchair users.

The accessible toilet is partially adapted: the door is wide enough and there are grab rails, but the space is a little tight for the largest power wheelchairs. For visitors with reduced mobility using larger wheelchairs we suggest the tourist information office on the market square, five minutes away on foot. Parking in the immediate vicinity is challenging; we recommend the city car park on Wezestraat.

Cafe Den Bril is an ideal stop for a drink after a visit to the Hop Museum Poperinge. The cafe is open year-round and has reduced opening hours on Mondays and Tuesdays. During the Hop Festival in September the cafe is a focal point of the festivities and can be especially busy; booking is then recommended.