In general, you'd have to really make an effort to find a horrible meal in Leuven. Almost all restaurants are tasty and relatively cheap, given the student population.
The Muntstraat, with a lot of cosy restaurants.
There are many good eateries and a great atmosphere (eating outside during the Summer is a can't-miss!) in the Muntstraat, very different styles from classical French Belgian cuisine to "Mexican", Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese. Consult the brand new website for more information.
More common, bigger restaurants can be found right next to City Hall on the Grand Place.
The area around the Oude Markt (Old Market) and Parijsstraat has many smaller restaurants and bars, the Old Market is sometimes called the longest bar in Europe.
The Martelarenplein houses a lot of restaurants and bars just a stone's throw away from the railway station.
Look for cheaper restaurants on the Old Market, as that's where the student population mostly enjoys their meal.
Try fresh North Sea Mussels, during their season (roughly August-March). Every year, you'll see the big signs announcing their arrival in front of many restaurants.
Many Belgians enjoy french fries and snacks in a Frietkot if they're looking for a quick and cheap bite. Don't leave Belgium until you've tried it!
Smoking is not allowed in restaurants.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Leuven
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Leuven - updated May 2024
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Leuven Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.