Nice Places: Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is the capital of Belgium but also that of the European Union. It is therefore an international city and young and dynamic with an amazing concentration of architecture. In short, a city to visit.

Architecture

Brussels is full of architecture. Here are some architectural towers and spots not to be missed.

Architecture Tours

Art-Nouveau

Art Nouveau was a very popular art movement in Brussels from 1893 to 1910. It is inspired by nature and promotes craftsmanship. One of the most famous Belgian architects of this movement is Victor Horta. There are several Bruxelles Art-Nouveau tours and they are very interesting.

“Bande-Dessinée” Murals Tours

The “Bande-Dessinées” (BD), are typical Belgian Comic Books. One of the awesome things in Brussels is that the city has ordered over 60 comic book wall-drawn from illustrators in the hope of avoiding unwanted graffiti on empty walls. This technique works perfectly plus, the walls add color in the capital.

By the way, if you enjoyed this kind of illustrations and books, you have to visit the Comic Art Museum!

Rue des Sables 20, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Hot Architectural Spots
Villa Empain

The Villa Empain is a former private residence, which currently serves as a cultural center and exhibition space. It was built in 1930–1934 in Art Deco style by the Swiss-Belgian architect Michel Polak. Check the internet site to know the current exhibitions.

Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 67, 1050 Brussels, Belgium

The Grand-Place

The Grand Place is the central square of the Belgian capital. It is surrounded by opulent baroque guild houses. The two most important buildings are the City Hall and the Neo-Gothic King’s House, also known as the House of Bread, which houses the Museum of the City of Brussels.

Grand Place, 1000 Brussel, Belgium

Palais de Justice

Built from 1866 to 1883 by the architect Joseph Poelart, the “Palais de Justice” is the largest courthouse in the world! But Belgium, which is however a small country, often has the folly of great things and therefore this building of more than 279,930 sq ft is continually being renovated. To tell you, even my parents have never seen it without scaffolding! But there is still a beautiful building whose entrance is free, so I advise you to take a little tour.

Pl. Poelaert 1, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Atomium

It was built for the 1958 Brussels World Fair. It represents nine atoms of iron, and that’s where the name comes from. It has now become a cultural center, museum and a restaurant in the highest ball. I wouldn’t advise you to visit it. It is not in the city center and can be seen from Poelaert Square.

Museums

MIM

The Musical Instruments Museum is a music museum. It is part of the Royal Museums of Art and History and is internationally renowned for its collection of over 8 000 instruments. Climb to the last floor to see one of the most beautiful views of Brussels!

Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium are a group of six art museums. The two most important are: The End of Century and Magritte Museums. The End of Century Museum is dedicated to the full spectrum of the arts of the period between 1884 when the Free Society of Beaux-Arts was founded in Brussels, and 1914, the year of the outbreak of World War I. The Magritte Museum is dedicated to the work of the Belgian surrealist artist, René Magritte. He is an important figure in Belgian Art.

Quarters

Sablon Quarter

The Sablon is my favorite quarter in Brussels. It is composed of old buildings with typical Brussels architecture, art galleries, antique shops, and luxury shops. Do not hesitate to sit on the terrace of a cafe to feel the typical Brussels boho chic atmosphere of the place.

Central Quarter
The main quarter of Brussels includes the Grand Place, the old town, and also the Makken-pis (emblematic Brussels statue).

Best addresses

Food

Belgian Food

Skievelat (Brasserie)

Joseph Stevensstraat 16/18, 1000 Brussel, Belgium

Pistolet Original (Snack)

The Pistol is a typical Belgian bread variety. It is a white bun with a crispy hard crust and soft and light crumbs. Usually eaten for breakfast or lunch on the spread of American filet (beef tartare, Belgian speciality) or even ,for example, a chicken curry mayonnaise salad.

Rue Joseph Stevens 26, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

“Friteries”

One of the great Belgian specialties is fries. In all towns, villages, and the countryside, you will always find a “baraque a frite” (fries house). They are usually cooked in beef fat and eaten with a wide selection of Belgian sauces. But be careful not to call fries, “French fries” in Belgium. The French and Belgians have been arguing for years about the origin of these potato slices, so you might leave with an empty stomach.

Fritland (Snack)

Rue Henri Maus 49, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Friterie Tabora (Snack)

Rue de Tabora 2, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Frites Atelier (Restaurant)

Rue Sainte-Catherine 32, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Brunch/ Lunch/ Coffee

Wolf Sharing Food Market (Food Market)

Rue du Fossé aux Loups 50, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Jat (Brunch/ Lunch)

Electro music, trendy decoration, organic products, and for the most part local, this place is frequented a lot by Brussels for their lunches. You can find there a wide choice of French baguette sandwiches (the best bread in the world, after tasting it you will not be without it!), bagels and salads. Tips, you have to taste the baguette sandwich with fig jam, brie (French cheese), and Italian ham, a real delicacy!

Rue de Namur 28, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Café du Sablon (Brunch/Lunch)

1000, Rue de la Régence 26, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Bouche (Coffee Bar)

In my opinion, the best coffee in Brussels! They also have delicious pastries and sandwiches.

Rue de Namur 4, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

“Pause sucrée”

Coco Donuts ( Donuts shop)

Don’t worry I haven’t forgotten you, fans of donuts, so here the best donuts of Brussels. To absolutely taste Belgian flavors like “Violet Cuberdon & Lavender” or “Speculoos”.

Rue Joseph Stevens 30, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Maison Dandoy (Biscuit Factory)

The house Dandois is recognized as one of the best Belgian biscuit fabricant, more precisely speculoos. And it is also the place where you can eat the best “Brussels’ waffles”. There are several shops in Brussels but the most authentic is in the “Galerie du Roi”.

Galerie du Roi 2, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

“Chocolateries”/ Chocolate Shops

Belgium is known for its chocolate, especially its Praline Chocolate, and I must admit that for me it is the best in the world! Well, in my opinion, it is totally objective. So I advise you to taste those of the house Neuhaus and for chocolates a little more elaborated those of the Belgian chocolatier Pierre Marcolini. Even if you are not a big fan of chocolate the chocolate shop needs the detour because it is often majestically decorated.

Neuhaus (Belgian chocolate shop)

Galerie de la Reine 25, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Pierre Marcolini (Belgian artisan chocolate)

Rue des Minimes 1, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Foreign cooking

Nona ( Italian restaurant)

The best Italian restaurant in Brussels! You just have to choose what you want to eat: pizza or pasta because they only serve pasta at the first restaurant and Neapolitan-Style Pizza at the second.

Rue Sainte-Catherine 17/19, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium. For Neapolitan-Style Pizza.
Rue Sainte-Catherine 7, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium. For Pasta.

La Vigne du Liban (Lebanese restaurant)

Near the “ Marché du Jeux de Balle ”, in the Marolles quarters, this Lebanese restaurant is perfect for lunch after a nice morning to thrift (also open on Sunday). Keep a small place in your stomach for dessert! Lebanese pastries are the best; especially the “Layali Lebnan” which is a milk semolina pudding with orange blossom. That is incredible.

Rue Haute 152, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Shopping:The Avenue Louise and Boulevard de Waterloo

My favorite places to shop for its trendy shops like Belle Rose, Urban Outfitter, Dille & Kamille, Carhartt WIP, Arket, & Other Stories. But also for its luxury shops beautifully decorated for Christmas!

Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

Ensemble of three glazed shopping arcades in the center of Brussels. Many authentic Belgian shops can be found here. A must-see during the Christmas period, the galleries and display windows are decorated.