HOW ARE YOU?
DO YOU NEED ANYTHING?

Aaaah finally arrived at your destination!
You finally find yourself alone in your new home. It isn’t so bad to
sit down for a while, is it?
However, this is often exactly the moment when you realize what you forgot/lost/broke in transit…
It is also during these moments that we stare at the empty fridge, hoping for it to grant our wishes…

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING FOR THE
FIRST TIME :

MONDAY TO SATURDAY:

– Between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (ZE right moment): this is the ideal time to buy your perfume or emergency socks: everything is open!

– Outside these hours, before 9:30 a.m. or after 6:30 p.m. (ZE crucial moment): la plupart des SUPERMARKETS open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.: you can still have
a meal in the evening and clean your teeth in the morning.

– Until 10:00 p.m. (ZE plan B): if your fridge is empty, you can get some good ready-made meals from your nearest “DELI TRAITEUR” until 10:00 p.m..

– After 10:00 p.m. (ZE bad moment): NIGHT SHOPS ou WHITE NIGHT (better quality!), known informally as “Nights”, may sort you out, especially for cravings (tobacco, alcohol or crisps).

SUNDAY :

Eat & survive :
In Brussels, especially in the morning or early afternoon, you will not have any
problem finding a big shop, a small organic grocer or a bakery. You can also turn
to DELI TRAITEUR and NIGHT SHOP, open on Sundays and weekday evenings.

Shop :
Lucky devils! Since spring 2015, second-hand clothes shops, antique shops, deco-design shops and other great finds in the centre of Brussels are open every Sunday! However, please note that the big names on rue Neuve and City 2 are only open on the first Sunday of the month.

Shop and stroll:
If you want to combine the useful and the pleasant, and make your minor purchases as you walk arount and discover a new side to the capital, why not visit :

– The « ABATTOIRS » MARKET (unless you are a vegetarian),
– The MARCHE DU « MIDI» which, as its name suggests, is situated near the Gare
du Midi and which, although not indicated by its name, is the largest in the capital;
– The MARCHE DE LA PLACE FLAGEY », this is where you will find the largest group of bobos (a new concept to describe young hip people originating from the words BOurgeois-BOhème ) on Sundays in Brussels. This is the ideal place for a delicious gastronomic break before taking a stroll along the banks of the Etangs d’Ixelles (a classified site since 1976 whose neighbouring houses, built in the style of Art Deco and Art Nouveau, are definitely worth seeing), or a leisurely walk through the Bois de la Cambre, for the more courageous amongst us. .

Eat & survive – Shop :

Stroll and enlighten yourself:
At least, this is the right time to visit an art gallery or museum. In addition, if you are reading this guide on the first Sunday of the month, smile and learn something new: it’s free! 
(However, lathough most museums make this offer on Sundays, don’t hold your hopes up too high as they could be dashed)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE LEAVING YOUR FLAT, AND HEADING OUT ONTO THE TILES OF BRUSSELS, TALKING TO THOSE WHO LIVE THERE:
MAKE SURE YOU ARE WELL-EQUIPPED

SO THAT YOU DO NOT LOOK LIKE AN OBVIOUS “TOURIST”…:

– Take an umbrella with you: even if the weather looks wonderful, be aware that it is unpredictable: you can bet your bottom dollar that there will be a shower (or even a grosse drache, as the locals would say);

– If the sun is shining, do as the people of Brussels do: keen on luminotherapy, they take leave at the slightest appearance of the sun and replace their pullovers for short sleeves, sitting out on the terrace, beer in hand, for what may be the only bit of sun of the day…

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR YOUR FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH THE PEOPLE OF BRUSSELS:

– You will not immediately come across the people of Brussels, unless you are lucky..
You will have to be patient and persevere to find a local specimen, especially if your search begins in the middle of Grand Place, at the foot of the Atomium, in the European district or towards Bruxelles-Nord.

– This native may well not speak the language which you expected to hear. Striking up a conversation with someone is like playing “Heads or Tails”: you are as likely to come across French as you are Dutch (more common around Place Sainte-Catherine)

LEARN TO SPEAK AND UNDERSTAND BRUSSELS DIALECT:

Although they speak French, the people of French-speaking Brussels like to throw in the odd Dutch once in a while, so do not be surprised – just do the same!
Also, learn to get angry by shouting «Verdom !!» or « POTverrrrDOmmE !!».
Simple and effective.
– In a friendly manner, call someone « fieu », which is Brussels dialect for “old thing” .
Everyone calls others « fieu » in Brussels. “They” acknowledge one another like that…
– Train yourself to lengthen the « eu » : « Hé, fieuuu ! ».
– By now, you should be an expert and be able to add “allez” “allez dis” to your conversations, though be careful if you use “fieu”.
– Train yourself to lengthen and place the tonis accent on the end of the word “alléi” and don’t leave the house until you have mastered « allÉÉï fieeeuuu !! ».
– You will sound like someone from Brussels, more than that in fact an authentic Brussels citizen!

IF YOU WANT TO VISIT THE CITY WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE A TYPICAL TOURIST, THERE ARE SEVERAL OPTIONS OPEN TO YOU:

– By bike : using the tours offered by asbl « PROVELO » or by Virginie and her electric bikes, from « ONCE UPON A TIME » in Brussels (onceinbrussels.be).

– For day-to-day living, we would advise using « VILLLO ! », which are bikes hired out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for one day, one week or one year.

– Running : dguided tours combined with 9 km jogging are organised by BRUSSELSSIGHTJOGGING.COM.

– Strolling : « GREETERS » are volonteers simply motivated by the idea of sharing their passion for their much-loved city.

– So, instead of the big red tourist bus, opt for the big orange and white bus by the STIB (Brusesels public transport), specifically the 71 line: one of the most frequented routes, which (from the city entre to Auderghem) takes you through the key districts of the centre of the capital, as you sit alonside the natives.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING BRUSSELS

–Brussels cannot be visited in a day.

– You cannot see or do everything: you need to choose – and thus forego other
activities – and consider getting up to speed on recent activities on offer.
– Do not rely on doing everything on foot: taxis, Uber and public transport are there to help you.
– Over the next few pages, we provide you with a glimpse of our favourite places for having fun, shopping, having a drink and having a bite to eat.
– So we are going to review a few districts, from the top to the bottom of the
map, in as subjective a way as possible.
– We will leave it to you to decide which districts to visit, according to your tastes, urges and preferences..

THE DISTRICTS OF DANSAERT, SAINTE-CATHERINE

Rue de Flandres, ist the most in vogue street at the moment. Once abandoned, some great names have been opening regularly:
– Art-Cafés such as JOHN & ROSE. We love them for their small, healthy dishes served right in the middle of an art gallery;
– Designer shops such as PIMPINELLE and its lovely, fun cooking utensils;
– Hip canteens such as CHICAGO with its authentic brunches and its extraburgers,
and MAKISU where you can sample all kinds of sushi/maki, ultrafresh
and varied, at very affordable prices (something quite unusual)!
– Chic bistros such as SELECTO and DELICATESSEN , the crème-de-lacrème
of today’s Brussels bistronomy.

Parallel to rue de Flandres, rue Antoine Dansaert is equally appealing:
– Sample some delicious dishes at the BISTROT DU CANAL , test the ultra-thin crust pizzas from La BELLE EQUIPE , sit and relax on the terrace at BARBETON , or enjoy a brunch at LES FILLES in an adjoining street, rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains.
– And while you are there, visit the designer shops, jewellers, couturiers and alternative galleries which have made the street famous. But be careful, underneath its inoffensive appearance, rue Dansaert can seriously harm shopaholics and their wallets.
DO YOU LOVE SEAFOOD AND DRINKS ON THE TERRACE?
– Make your way to Place Sainte-Catherine. A fruit and veg market is held there every midday, and it is surrounded by fish and seafood restaurants (including the very splendid terrace of the NOORDZEE ) reminiscent of the old port of Brussels.
– In the evening, in the same square, slightly tipsy from white wine and midday sun, head for MADAME MOUSTACHE, a wonderful cabaret from the past, where you can swing with an orchestra on Tuesday evenings.
When it comes time for a drink as night falls, the bars and terraces of the districts of Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Géry fill as quickly as the beer glasses.
It is worth seeing the HALLES SAINT-GÉRY both on the outside and on the inside. Especially on the inside, since exhibitions and artistic and cultural events of all kinds are organised there.

GRAND PLACE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

You cannot miss the unmissable: a stone’s throw from the Gare centrale, you will have any problem finding the « place-to-photography » : BRUSSELS’ GRAND PLACE, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
– 20 minutes’ walk from Grand Place, towards the Botanic Gardens (which is nice to walk through in the afternoon), explore the permanent exhibitions at the BELGIAN COMIC STRIP CENTRE (open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. except on Mondays). A museum as interesting from the inside as it is from the outside, since it is one of Brussels’ Art Nouveau masterpieces, a Victor Horta creation dating back to 1906.
– Standing on rue des Chapeliers and “rue des Pittas”, this is the ideal place for an educational drink: the DOLLE MOL both an anarchist café and an underwear museum.

Departing from one corner of the Grand Place, rue de la Tête d’Or, you come to rue du Midi.
– If your tummy is rumbling, stop at no. 15, LES GENS QUE J’AIME, for their hamburgers, much appreciated by the local BOBOs.
Do you know the programme “Top Chef” ? ALEXANDRE, one of the finalists,
opened his recently starred restaurant at no. 164, rue du Midi.
– At the end ofrue du Midi, past rue des Fripiers, is the magnificent LA MONNAIE opera house, whose ticket office is regularly sold out three weeks before shows (a little bit of history: La Monnaie was the theatre which triggered the Belgian Revolution, during a show called La Muette de Portici d’Auber in 1830).

Behind the STOCK EXCHANGE on rue Borgwal, is the CAFÉ CENTRAL a large hip bar in the centre of Brussels which presents live music and hosts artistic exhibitions from here or abroad, which we strongly recommend.

Before leaving this district, do not forget to tour the GALERIES ROYALES SAINT-HUBERT (a stone’s throw from Grand Place). This is certainly a tourist attraction, but one which is well worth a visit for its sumptuous glass roof, to spend time in the TROPISMES bookshop, drink a coffee at the COMPTOIR DES GALERIES and sample a butter and Madagascar vanilla biscuit from the PÂTISSERIE MÉERT: this is our favourite place around the Grand Place. And if it is raining, it is the ideal
place to seek refuge!

PLACE ROYALE, BOZAR ET MONTS DES ARTS

A stone’s throw from the gare centrale, is MONT DES ARTS.

Cross the pretty garden of Mont des Arts, admire the view, making sure that you are not in the
path of a skater, leave the SQUARE (the modern, all-glass building) on your left, and choose:
– On your left is the PALAIS DES BEAUX-ARTS (Bozar), which regularly hosts innovative cultural exhibitions and events such as “L’Art Truc Troc“, where you can exchange anything you could possibly think of for the work of your choice.
– Continuing straight ahead, with your eyes closed and your ears well cleaned out, you can delve into the marvellous world of the MUSÉE DES INSTRUMENTS DE MUSIQUE (MIM) : a time machine built in an Art Nouveau style which will arouse all of your senses, and even your taste buds if you allow yourself the luxury of a break in the MIM’s panoramic restaurant. If you’re feeling a bit peckish during your visit, why not go and sample the restaurant, which is on the top floor of the Museum. It offers one of the best views of Brussels. A “must do & see”!
– Opposite the MIM is the MUSÉE MAGRITTE . A very impressive museum to see, even if you are not a fan of the artist.
By continuing straight and crossing the Parc Royal , you come to avenue des Arts. The pedestrian walkway brings you out right by the entrance of the FILIGRANE Brussels’ must-see bookshop! Open until 8:00 p.m. 365 days a year, much to the delight of anyone looking for a special read, a tasty snack, a good time, a small concert or a well-known author in the flesh, ready to sign their work for you.
There is also a “FILIGRANE CORNER” in the district of Brugmann, which is open until 10:00 p.m.!

LE SABLON ET LES MAROLLES 

Touristy, chic et luxurious, The Sablon,  the antiquarians’ district, is known for its MARCHÉ DES ANTIQUAIRES and du Livre, which is held every Saturday and Sunday.
If you want to enjoy yourself, “Hang the expense!”: we recommend the delicious cocktails served by HORTENSE or the wines served by the WINE BAR DU SABLON when its time for drinks.
Heading down rue de la Régence will take you to Place Poelart.
– Take in the view from the square:as if you were going to see the sea…
– On a more serious note, a huge building dominates the square: the PALAIS DE JUSTICE.
Do not miss the all-glass lift which goes directly down from Place Poelart for a walk through the working-class district of Marolles, where you can:
– listen to the genuine traditional Brussels accent,
– explore the wares of the bric-à-brac dealers on rue Haute,
– sample Belgian specialities made with artisanally-brewed beer at the RESTOBIÈRES on rue des Renards
– browse the vintage shops and the flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle (“A mêt”). .

In addition, if you are in the square at midday on a Sunday, do what everyone does: find a table at CLÉ D’OR and eat a wonderful Stoemp or delicious onion soup.
During the week or on the weekend, test the fortifying cuisine of PIN PON the former fire station for Les Marolles whose large window provides a good view over the Place du Jeu de Balle.
And if you are there in the evening, why not go to the CHAFF a pleasant alternative bar frequented by cheerful folk, where you can eat, sing, play, dance, explore and amuse yourself.

DISTRICT OF SAINT-GILLES

A stone’s throw from the Gare du Midi , the district of Saint-Gilles is the BOBOs’ General Headquarters. (Be careful: some people wear the BOurgeois BOhème label with pride, others less so; if you are in any doubt, avoid the subject until you have read “Les BOBOs”, by the Brussels journalist, Myriam Leroy)!
You may enjoy spending some time at the TRICOTERIE , an innovative space which “creates links” around a brunch, workshop or concert. Going there is an excellent way of getting to know the district, the people who live there and its cultural and artistic activities, but none of this prevents you from starting with the Parvis de Saint-Gilles, where you will learn everything you need to know as you prop up the bars of countless establishments which cater to a loyal clientèle, such as the BRASSERIE DE L’UNION or the MAISON DU PEUPLE.
For cosy local restaurants, do not judge a book by its cover, but trust the old saying “it is in the oldest cooking pots that the best soups are made”: for example, the pizzeria CHEZ MOMO, , (an absolute must is panna cotta with lavender and mango coulis); BOTTEGA N°3 and MONTICELLI do not look like anything special, but are excellent establishments where Italian dishes, served as if they were homemade, will leave you spellbound.
If you want a change from such informal settings and if you like the night-life and electro-techno, this is the district which is home to one of the best-known nightclubs in Brussels: LE FUSE, near the stop Porte de Hal.
Saint-Gilles is also the home of cosy places “to go and drink some tea” and nibble some delicious bites. Cookie lovers should rush to PRÉLUDE.
You can sample the best cookies in the whole city there!

DISTRICTS OF LOUISE & CHÂTELAIN

If you like shopping, fashion and design, get into a Pretty Woman (or a more masculine equivalent) mindset: start in Place Stéphanie and continue onto the shops of avenue Louise. This street’s world-class shops are second to none.
A little tip: if you are looking for somewhere to go out this evening, try:
– Place Stéphanie. You can drink a Bloody Mary in front of DJs from all over the world at BLOODY LOUIS.
– The Bois de la Cambre, right at the top of avenue Louise. That is where one of the capital’s most select nightclubs may be found,  « LES JEUX D’HIVER » which also organises many activities for families and walkers.

If you prefer small designer shops to luxury shops, leave avenue Louise for rue du Bailli and the district of Châtelain.
Do not let yourself die of hunger between two shopping sprees. For example, stop off at MANHATTAN for a burger (the word on the street is that they serve the best burgers anywhere in the city), the CAFÉ DE LA PRESSE (to read the newspaper accompanied by tea and cheesecake), the parent restaurant of MAKISU to savour some more of their maki, KNEES TO CHIN for delicious spring rolls or YOGURT FARM for some yogurt, frozen or otherwise

Place du Châtelain is a square you visit to see and be seen, either for:
– drinks organised after work or makeshift ones in the square.
– festive, organised or sales events organised by LES PETITES PUCES around Châtelain
– the market which is held there every Wednesday. The dynamic around city-dweller/district life side there is very much appreciated.
– Not to mention PEPETE ET RONRON, for its cosy wine and tapas on the terrace.

A little further away, on rue du Page, we invite you to sample one of the utterly magnificent cupcakes at LILICUP . Rue du Page and the adjoining streets are home to an impressive number of cosy restaurants. There is something there to suit all tastes: Asian, Spanish, Italian, Indian, etc.. In summer, the terraces of these restaurants give the district a very warm feel.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO GO OUT THIS EVENING: 

– Good to know:
Brussels is a lively, bustling city: the places-to-be change regularly, and fashionable festive places get knocked off their perches by new cult places: ask a peye or peï: a bloke, in Brussels slang) and don’t be affraid to discover new places!
– For a great drink:
An evening in Brussels is often spent in an unassuming district bar, on the terrace when the weather is nice, somewhere you can live the night away.
And as from May, do not forget to consult the APEROS URBAINS sites. For 5 months, every Friday, a new square becomes pedestrianised and turns into a giant venue for drinks. It is magical! Free entry and drinks available at affordable prices.

AS WE SAY HERE:

ALLÉÏ FIEU*,
FAIS À T’N’AISE**
ET PRENDS UN PEU***
D’BON TEMPS !

*GO ON, OLD THING
** MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME, DO AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS YOU WANT
*** THE «UN PEU» ADDS A BRUSSELS TOUCH TO WHAT YOU SAY, SO DO USE IT AS SOON AS YOU CAN

INDEX :

BAR/CAFES/NIGHT HOTSPOTS AREA:

LE CANAL & SAINTE-CATHERINE

BARBETON : rue Antoine Dansaert 114, 1000 Bruxelles
MADAME MOUSTACHE : quai au Bois à Brûler 5/7, 1000 Bruxelles
NOORDZEE : rue Sainte-Catherine 45, 1000 Bruxelles

LE SABLON & LES MAROLLES

HORTENSE : rue des Sablons 7, 1000 Bruxelles
WINE BAR DU SABLON : rue Haute 198, 1000 Bruxelles
RESTOBIERES : rue des Renards 9, 1000 Bruxelles
CHAFF : place du Jeu de Balle 21-22, 1000 Bruxelles

SAINT-GILLES

MAISON DU PEUPLE : parvis de Saint-Gilles 37A, 1060 Saint-Gilles
BRASSERIE DE L’UNION : parvis de Saint-Gilles 55, 1060 Saint-Gilles
LE FUSE : rue Blaes 208, 1000 Bruxelles

CHÂTELAIN & IXELLES

BLOODY LOUIS : avenue Louise 32, 1050 Ixelles
PEPETE & RONRON : place du châtelain 40, 1050 Ixelles
LES JEUX D’HIVER : chemin du Croquet 11, 1000 Bruxelles

GRAND’PLACE & ALENTOURS

DOLLE MOLE : rue des eperonniers 52, 1000 Bruxelles
LE CAFE CENTRAL : rue Borgwal 14, 1000 Bruxelles

RESTAURANTS

FAST (ET PAS NECESSAIREMENT “JUNK”) BUT NOT NECESSARILY “JUNK”) FOOD – LITTLE CATERING OUTLETS AREA :

LE CANAL & SAINTE-CATHERINE

MAKISU : rue de Flandre 6, 1000 Bruxelles
BELLE EQUIPE : rue Antoine Dansaert 202, 1000 Bruxelles
NOORDZEE : place Sainte-Catherine 45, 1000 Bruxelles

SAINT GILLES

CHEZ MOMO : chaussée de Forest 122, 1030 Saint-Gilles
BOTTEGA N°3 : avenue Ducpétiaux 3, Forest

CHÂTELAIN & IXELLES

MAKISU : rue du Bailli 5, 1000 Ixelles
MANHATTAN’S BURGER :  avenue Louise 164, 1000 Bruxelles

FOR BRUNCH, LUNCH OU LE TEA TIME AREA

LE CANAL & SAINTE-CATHERINE

JOHN & ROSE : rue de Flandre 80, 1000 bruxelles
CHICAGO : rue de Flandre 45, 1000 Bruxelles
LES FILLES PLAISIRS CULINAIRES : rue du Vieux Marchés aux Graind 45, 1000 Bruxelles

GRAND’PLACE & ALENTOURS

LES GENS QUE J’AIME : rue du midi 15, 1000 Bruxelles
COMPTOIR DES GALERIES : galerie du Roi 6, 1000 Bruxelles
PÂTISSERIE MEERT : galerie du Roi 5, 1000 Bruxelles

PLACE ROYALE, BOZAR & MONT DES ARTS

MIM RESTAURANT : Hofberg2, 1000 Bruxelles

LE SABLON & LES MAROLLES

CLE D’OR : place du Jeu de Balle 1, 1000 Bruxelles
PINPON : place du Jeu de Balle 62, 1000 Bruxelles

SAINT-GILLES

LA TRICOTERIE : rue Théodore Werhaegen 158, 1060 saint-Gilles
LE PRELUDE : rue Antoine Bréart 82, 1060 Saint-Gilles

CHÂTELAIN & IXELLES

CAFE DE LA PRESSE : avenue Louise 493, 1050 Ixelles
KNEES TO CHIN : rue de Livourne 125, 10050 Ixelles
THE YOGURT FARM : rue du Bailli, 1050 Bruxelles
LILICUP : rue du Page 65, 1050 Ixelles

«AUTHENTIC» RESTAURANTS THAT YOU WILL LOVE AREA :

LE CANAL & SAINTE-CATHERINE

SELECTO : rue de Flandre 95, 1000 Bruxelles
BISTRO DU CANAL : rue Antoine Dansaert 208, 1000 Bruxelles
DELICATESSEN : rue Sainte-Catherine 17/19, 1000 Bruxelles

GRAND’PLACE & ALENTOURS

ALEXANDRE : rue du midi 164, 1000 Bruxelles

SAINT-GILLES

MONTICELLI : rue de Lombardie 28, 1060 saint-Gilles

SHOPPING AREA

LE CANAL & SAINTE-CATHERINE

PIMPINELLE : rue de Flandre 57, 1000 Bruxelles
RUE ANTOINE DANSAERT
RUE DE FLANDRES

GRAND’PLACE & ALENTOURS

GALERIES ROYALES SAINT-HUBERT
LIBRAIRIE TROPISMES : galerie des Princes 11, 1000 Bruxelles

PLACE ROYALE, BOZAR & MONT DES ARTS

LIBRAIRIE FILIGRANE : avenue des Arts 39/42; 1000 Bruxelles

LE SABLON & LES MAROLLES

MARCHE AUX PUCES DE LA PLACE DU JEU DE BALLES
MARCHE DES ANTIQUAIRES DU SABLON : place du grand sablon, 1000 Bruxelles

CHÂTELAIN & IXELLES

FILIGRANE CORNER : avenue Lepoutre 21, 1050 Bruxelles
AVENUE LOUISE
MARCHE PLACE DU CHÂTELAIN

USEFUL WEBSITES

https://www.takeeateasy.be/
http://www.restolastminute.com/fr
http://www.aperos-urbains.be/
http://www.brusselslife.be/
http://www.villo.be/
http://www.stib-mivb.be/
http://visitbrussels.be/

BLOGS THAT ARE WORTH A LOOK AT

www.brusselskitchen.com/
http://www.thefoodalist.com/fr
http://ladinettedesgrandes/com/
http://www.my-brussels.com/