Seeing and Doing
Visit the Horta Museum– one of the most important art nouveau buildings in the world. It’s been carefully preserved and is now open for visits. Look closely at all the exquisite details and decorations.
The biggest flea market in Brussels, where even Tintin bought a little something, in Place du Jeu de Balle, is amazingly open every single day of the year. The selection here is enormous thanks to the fact that there are hundreds of vendors!
For something a bit more high end, there is the charming antiques market at le Sablon, set in front of the gothic Notre-Dame church, which is worth a visit in itself.
Planning a trip to Brussels in Spring would be a great time to discover the park of the official residence of the royal family, Royal Castle of Laeken, which opens up just a few days a year for visitors to marvel at the collection of 19th century Royal Greenhouses.
Visit the vast and intriguing Laeken Cemetery next door where you’ll find a reproduction of Rodin’s Thinker and forgotten grave tunnels.
Visit Magritte Museum and Mont des Arts, dedicated to the surrealist artist René Magritte. Wander through the Mont des Arts area, known for its stunning architecture and great views of the city.
Explore the Marolles district, known for its vintage shops and antique markets.
Dive into the rich art scene of Brussels at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, home to an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and drawings.
Start your day at the iconic Atomium, a symbol of modern Brussels. Explore Mini-Europe nearby for miniature replicas of famous European landmarks.
Saint-Géry Square is a vibrant area with many bars and live music venues. Check out local listings for live performances or enjoy a cozy evening in one of the trendy bars.
End your trip with a touch of jazz at The Music Village, a cozy jazz club in the heart of Brussels.
Eating and Drinking
If you’re looking to try authentic Flemish cuisine, Balls & Glory is a clever new foodie venture that makes one thing and one thing only– meatballs!
You must ring the door of the townhouse to enter Les Filles, and once you’re inside, you’ll feel right at home. There is no menu and you’re served organic cuisine – grandmère’s style – on mismatching vintage chinaware.
The smallest restaurant in Belgium is also its most secret. The address is communicated 48 hours before your dinner and you’re the only customers at the restaurant. Please Surprise Me will set you up in the most romantic and unusual locations around the city. Just send them an email and let them, well .. surprise you! The experience starts at 300 euros.
Slightly bohemian, slightly surreal, there’s something a little Alice in Wonderland about À l’Ombre de la Ville. The menu is short but very varied to delight all sensibilities and everything is homemade.
In a beautifully restored art nouveau setting, Nüetnigenough is a local favourite, especially among craft beer buffs. The small, cosy restaurant with minimal, yet pretty vintage decor, is a fantastic place to eat Belgian hearty food such as delicious honey roast ham and beef stew. You can’t reserve a table in
advance, but the wait is worth it.
The ambiance of La Quincaillerie is something special in a former art deco hardware store where you’re left to imagine yourself dining inside a clock repair shop (La Quincaillerie in French).
Au Stekerlapatte is a charming and traditional Belgian bistro with dark wood interiors, sprigs of foliage, vintage posters and a romantic, candlelit atmosphere complete with a piano and red and white checkered tablecloths. Don’t forget to try the Speculoos mousse for dessert.
Head to the Sablon district for lunch. The area has charming cafes and bistros. Try a local dish like moules frites (mussels with fries) or Belgian waffles.
The Ixelles neighborhood is idea for dinner. This area has a diverse culinary scene. You can find anything from Belgian classics to international cuisines.
Where to Stay
Leon 16 is a small, yet significantly spacious B&B that has two suites designed around the townhouse garden. The interior is filled with luscious green shrubbery, which thrives under plentiful sunlight that sparkles on the clean, white interior. This little oasis is excellently located, right in between the canal, Place Saint. Catherine, and Rue Antoine Dansaert where you’ll find numerous coffee
houses and boutiques to start off your day.
Chyl, which quite suitably sounds like ”chill”, actually stands for CHange Your Lifestyle and CHerish Your Life. This sustainable hub is home to an eco-friendly and organic grocery shop, café restaurant, wellness centre, and most recently, a handful of charming hotel rooms.