Brussels

Brussels Travel Guide

• About Brussels

As the capital of the country which invented praline, the French fry and the waffle, Brussels is the place to come if you want to eat well. The treacly scent of slowly braising sugar emanates from around just about every corner, while down at the docks, a row of inviting restaurants offers the classic moules-frites (mussels and fries) cooked in just about every way imaginable. Tempting though nearly everything is, there’s more to Brussels than chocolate and Tin Tin (although there is a museum dedicated to both). The compact city centre is a confection of cobbled streets and chocolatiers interspersed with bars selling that other Belgian speciality – delicious wheat beer. The residents are a cosmopolitan bunch who can switch from French to Flemish and then to English faster than you can say ‘frite’. Reserved at first, the locals are quick to warm up and have none of the icy disdain often displayed by their Parisian counterparts. They also love a good party – even better if it follows a slap-up meal – and as a result, the city’s many bars and clubs are a vibrant bunch and overflow with revellers come weekends. There’s no shortage of things to do during the day either, whether it’s getting up close and personal with the Manneken Pis (a tiny statuette of a urinating boy) or marvelling at the riotous colour of the works on display at the surrealist Magritte Museum. All of this makes Brussels’ staid reputation abroad something of anomaly and the blame can be placed squarely at the feet of a single institution – the European Parliament which is headquartered in the city. Housed in a strikingly ugly post-modern block, it bustles with bureaucrats drawn from all corners of the Continent and it’s not uncommon to see a motorcade sweep past as a premier from one country or another arrives. More interesting are the Royal and Sablon districts, which teem with art galleries. Meandering down one of the myriad side streets, discovering flea markets and boutique stores as you go is a pleasure that you won’t find in the Brussels guide books.

• Brussels History

Brussels has many claims to fame but one of the least known is that it was founded by a saint. In AD695, Saint Gery built a chapel on the banks of the Senne River at a point now called Place Saint Gery. But the city of Brussels didn’t officially become a city until 979 when Charles, Duke of Low Lotharingia set down Brussels’ first city charter. Thanks to its riverside setting, it swiftly became a trading centre and almost as quickly, acquired two sets of city walls. Years later they would come to need them. But in the 12th century, all was peaceful, and Brussels became the capital city and ducal seat of the Duchy of Brabant. During this period, Brussels exported luxury items such as fabrics and tapestries to Paris and Venice to decorate the homes of royals and aristocrats. After temporarily falling out of favour in the 15th century, its fortunes were restored in 1519 when Charles V became Holy Roman Emperor. But with increasing importance came rising strife and in 1695, the bombardment of Brussels by King Louis XIV of France left the Grand Place in ruins and a third of the city’s buildings reduced to rubble. French troops took over once again between 1746 and 1748. The Brabant Revolt followed in 1788 before Brussels was overrun during the Napoleonic era. Brussels, which had been capital of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, finally got its independence along with the rest of Belgium in 1830. Under King Leopold I, Brussels was reshaped with the old walls destroyed and replaced with wide boulevards. With more space, the population exploded and by the turn of the century, the city was home to more than 200,000 inhabitants. But once again, Brussels was to be thrown into turmoil when the Germans invaded twice within 20 years. Nevertheless, the hard times were to change its fate forever and in the post-war world, Brussels has become central to a new project – the grand European dream.

• Did you know? 

Brussels is home to Europe’s oldest shopping arcade, Galerie St Hubert, which dates back to 1847. The earliest buildings in Brussels date back to AD 679. Though the Mirror Room in the Royal Palace of Brussels was first installed under Leopold II of Belgium   (1865- 1909), the million or so jewel beetle carapaces that adorn the ceiling weren’t added until 2002.

• Weather in Brussels

With warm summers, mild winters and a lively programme of annual events, Brussels is a joy to visit in any season. Spring (March to May) is the best time to visit Brussels, as the weather is warm and it is not yet peak tourist season. Summer (June to August) is peak tourist season. The city is lively and can feel overcrowded at times. Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 23°C (73°F). Autumn (September to November) is the perfect season to visit the museums in Brussels. Rainfall is moderate and temperatures usually hover around 15°C (59°F). Winter (December to February) is a festive season. Christmas markets and sparkling decorations make December a particularly magical time to visit. Temperatures can reach a high of 6°C (43°F).

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Things to see in Brussels

Attractions

• Atomium

Léopold II bequeathed the 202-hectare (500-acre) estate of Heysel to the city of Brussels in 1909, but it wasn’t until the 1958 World’s Fair that it received its most famous landmark, the Atomium, a giant model of an oxygen molecule. Following extensive renovation, including replacement of its metal ‘skin’, its highest sphere gives a panoramic view of the entire region. Address: Boulevard du Centenaire, Square de l’Atomium, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 475 4775 Opening times: Daily 10:00-18:00. Website: www.atomium.be Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Grand-Place

A web of narrow cobbled streets suddenly opens out into the vast Grand-Place. The asymmetrical Hôtel de Ville, built in the 15th century, dominates. Its 96m (315ft) spire is topped with a gilded copper statue of St Michael. Opposite the Town Hall is the Maison du Roi, commissioned in 1515 and faithfully rebuilt in the 1890s. Sometime pied-à-terre of the Hapsburg monarchy, the building now hosts the Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles whose small collection includes tapestries and altarpieces. Address: Grand-Place, Grote Markt, Brussel. Telephone: +32 2 513 8940 Opening times: Daily 24 hours. Website: www.brussels.be Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Manneken-Pis (Statue of the Pissing Boy)

This allegory of irreverence and symbol of Bruxellois self-mockery – a bronze statuette of a urinating boy. If it were not for the occupation of the young child, the sculpture might resemble an angelic putto, such as the ones decorating the facade of the nearby Bourse (Stock Exchange). Jérôme Duquesnoy cast Manneken-Pis in the 1660s, perhaps as a reference to the peasant lads of legend, who extinguished fires with their urine. Address: Rue de l’Etuve, Brussels. Opening times: Daily 24 hours. Website: www.brussel.be Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: No UNESCO: No

• Place du Grand-Sablon

Notre-Dame du Sablon dominates the Place du Grand-Sablon, the smartest square in town. Began as a humble chapel for the guild of archers, the arrival of a statue of Mary from Antwerp in 1348, dramatically increased its popularity. The building was later expanded into an impressive gothic church. The area is a major centre for antiques dealers. Address: Place du Grand-Sablon, Brussels. Opening times: Daily 24 hours. Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

This complex boasts three museums. The Musée Oldmasters (Museum of Old Masters) excels in its Old Masters, with works by Rubens, Bouts and Memling. The Musée d’Art Moderne (Museum of Modern Art) has a collection of Belgian Surrealist art including works by René Magritte and Paul Delvaux. Picasso, Chagall, Henry Moore and Francis Bacon are represented too. Meanwhile, the Musée Fin-de-Siècle (Museum Fin-de-Siècle) showcases visual artists such as Constantin Meunier and James Ensor, as well as highlighting Art Nouveau architecture. Address: Rue de la Régence 3, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 508 3211 Opening times: Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00. Website: www.fine-arts-museum.be Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée (Belgian Comic Strip Centre)

The history of the Belgian comic strip, including its links with silent movies and animation, is displayed throughout the airy and uplifting Grand Magasin Waucquez. Original drawings by early masters like André Franquin (who created accident-prone Gaston Lagaffe) and Hergé (who breathed life into Tintin) are complemented by modernday cartoons, temporary exhibitions,children’s library and a brasserie. Address: Rue des Sables 20, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 219 1980 Opening times: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00. Website: www.comicscenter.net Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Musée Horta (Horta Museum)

Architect Victor Horta produced some 110 buildings, first in neo-gothic style, famously in art nouveau and latterly in sparse modernist style. Many (such as the Hôtel Solvay, Avenue Louise 224, and Hôtel Van Eetvelde at Avenue Palmerston 4) are still standing. However, the Musée Horta (the architect’s former home and studio) is beautifully preserved and open to the general public. Address: Saint-Gilles, Rue Américaine 25, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 543 0490 Opening times: Tues-Sun 14:00-17:30. Website: www.hortamuseum.be Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Musée BELvue (BELvue Museum) 

This upbeat museum is dedicated to the major periods of Belgium’s history since Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in 1815. The permanent collection is themed around the reigns of each of the country’s monarchs. The building itself is located at the scene of the 1830 Belgian Revolution, which led to the establishment of an independent state. Address: Place des Palais 7, Hôtel Bellevue, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 500 4554 Opening times: Daily 10:00-18:00. Website: www.belvue.be Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat (Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate)

This delightful little museum, located in a magnificent 17th-century house on a corner of the Grand-Place, pays homage to one of Belgium’s most famous products. It traces the history of chocolate from the time of the old Maya Empire, and explains the production processes involved in making the modern sweet delicacy. Address: Rue de la Tete d’or 9-11, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 514 2048 Opening times: Mon-Sun 10:00-17:00 Website: wwww.choco-story-brussels.be Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Muséum des Sciences Naturelles (Natural Sciences Museum)

Close to the European Parliament, and containing what is claimed to be one of the finest dinosaur collections in the world, this fascinating museum additionally features a special presentation on the Arctic and Antarctic regions. There is an extensive permanent marine mammals exhibition. All forms of wildlife, extinct and extant, plus mineralogy, are represented. Address: Rue Vautier 29, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 627 4211 Opening times: Tues-Sun 09:30-17:00. Website: www.naturalsciences.be Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

• BIP (Brussels Info Place)

Address: Coudenberg, Former Palace of Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 563 6399 Opening times: Daily 09:00-17:00. Website: www.bip.brussels Just a short walk from Brussels Central Station, BIP can help with everything from restaurant reservations to event listings via bike hire, attraction information and even snacks. There are also tourist offices at City Hall, GrandPlace and at Bruxelles-Midi train station.

Tourist passes

The Brussels Card gives free entry to over 30 museums and unlimited travel by STIB public transport for 24, 48 or 72 hours. It also offers reduced prices in selected shops, restaurants and bars. The pass is sold at BOOTIK agencies, tourist information offices, hotels and museums. Website: www.brusselscard.be

Things to do in Brussels

• Commune with the past at Laeken Cemetery 

Laeken Cemetery is a brilliant exponent of 19th century funereal art, and has often been considered the little brother of the renowned Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris. Copper statues and figurines of mourners are dotted throughout, and you can find info on a tour of the hotspots from the tourist office. Telephone: +32 2 478 04 43 Opening times: Daily 08:30-16:00. Website: www.laeken.brussels

• Get your haggle on at the flea market 

The Marolles Flea Market at Place du Jeu de Balle is a pillar of the Brussels community,  and if you’re prepared to do some digging, you’ll find some pearls twinkling in the oceans of bric a brac. For more info, speak to the tourist office: Telephone: +32 2 513 89 40 Opening times: Daily 09:00-14:00. Website: www.visit.brussels

• Learn how to draw your own comic strip

“I’ll go to Brussels,” you said. “Drink some beer, eat some mussels, get confused about the origination of the Flemish language,” you said. You probably didn’t consider learning how to draw your own comic strip to be a part of your likely itinerary. De Marck’s comic workshops Telephone: +32 475 47 87 28

• Step back in time at Le Cirio

This grand cafe opened its doors back in 1886, and has been indulging its customers in Belgian hospitality ever since. The interior of Le Cirio Telephone: +32 25 12 13 95 has a waft of opulence, but the prices aren’t actually too bad. You’ll also find a good smattering of locals in amongst the tourists.

• Visit the Musical Instrument Museum

Brussel’s Musical Instrument Museum is a haven for anyone interested in music’s new and distant past. With over 8,000 instruments on show, it’s got everything covered, whether you’re interested in guitars, African slit drums, or bagpipes made out of bones. Telephone: +32 2 545 01 30 Opening times: Daily 10:30-17:00. Website:  www.mim.be

Brussels tours and excursions

Brussels tours

• Bus tours

Open-top, hop-on hop-off bus tours are available from Brussels City Tours and City Sightseeing. The bus sets off from Central Station and stops at many famous sights, such as the Atomium, Grand-Place and the Mannekin-Pis, during a round trip. Tickets are valid for 24 hours. Both companies offer a range of other tour options, including excursions to other Belgian cities including Bruges and Antwerp. Telephone: +32 2 513 7744 Website: www.brussels-city-tours.com

• Walking tours 

The compact city centre of Brussels could have been tailor-made for walking tours. The Brussels Tourist Office offers three-hour guided tours on a variety of themes including architecture, history, culture, cartoons, gastronomy and classical Brussels. Departure points vary depending on the tour chosen. A series of historical tours are also offered by Itinéraires. Highly recommended are visits to original 14th-century streets beneath the Palais Royal. Telephone: +32 2 513 89 40 Website: www.parisauthentic.com Telephone: +32 2 513 8940 , +32 2 541 0377 Website: www.visitbrussels.be

Brussels excursions

• Bruges 

Bruges is one of the most beautifully preserved medieval cities in Europe. Visitors can explore charming streets and canals, packed with little restaurants, atmospheric cafés and a cluster of interesting museums and churches. The climb to the top of the spectacular Belfry tower is not to be missed, neither is a boat ride along the picturesque waterways of the old city. Michelangelo’s delicate marble Madonna and Child lies within the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady). Situated some 80km (50 miles) west of Brussels, Bruges is well connected by public transport and motorways and is just a one-hour train or bus ride away. Telephone: +32 50 448 000 Website: www.visitbruges.be

• Antwerp

Located 40km (25 miles) north of Brussels, Antwerp is tucked into the east bank of a bend in the Schelde River. The 14th-century Cathedral of Our Lady in Groenplaats is without doubt one of the finest buildings in the Low Countries. Masterpieces by Rubens (a former resident) and Van Dyck are on display at the Museum voor Schone Kunsten (Royal Museum of Fine Art). Antwerp is also a thriving port, the world’s leading diamond centre and now an international fashion capital. Antwerp’s Centraal Station is easily reached by train from all three stations in Brussels. Telephone: +32 3 221 1333 Website: www.antwerpen.be

Shopping in Brussels

Shopping in Brussels runs the whole gamut from high-end boutiques to markets.

• Key areas

A classic Brussels souvenir is chocolate. Fresh creamy pralines are for sale at Wittamer, Place du Grand Sablon. Another name to look out for is the top-quality Neuhaus, with several branches including one at Grand-Place 27. Belgian biscuits are another gift guaranteed to bring a guilty smile to the receiver. Dandoy, Rue Charles Buis 14, produce melt-in-your-mouth macaroons and the Brussels speciality speculoos – a gingerbread biscuit with a crunch. Beermania, Chaussée de Wavre 174-176, stocks over 400 types of Belgian beer and glasses to suit. Designer clothes shops and upmarket high-street stores are clustered around the smart avenue Louise and avenue de la Toison d’Or. Key shopping stops on avenue Louise include Caroline Biss, one of several fashion boutiques at number 21, for down-to-earth daywear in muted tones, and Les Enfants d’Edouard, at number 175, for vintage finds. Children and adults’ tastes alike are met at the many comic book shops in Brussels. Among these is centrally located La Boutique Tintin, Rue de la Colline 13. Brussels lace is for sale at Rubbrecht, Grand-Place 23, or at the city’s largest lace maker, Manufacture Belge de Dentelle, Galerie de la Reine 6. Most of the souvenir lace shops around Grand-Place are less authentic.

• Markets

Every day is market day in Brussels. Among the best is the flower market, Tuesday to Sunday at Grand-Place, also the site of the Sunday morning bird market. Antiques are sold at the market on Place du Grand Sablon, Saturday and Sunday morning, while the flea market at Place du Jeu de Balle, in the Marolles district, is open every morning.

• Shopping centres 

Chain stores dominate along the Rue Neuve, but more interesting fare can be found in the area between the Rue de Midi and the Grand-Place. A highlight is Les Galeries Royales St Hubert, a cool and elegant arcade dating from the 1840s, which is now home to many designer shops.

• Opening hours

Standard shopping hours in Brussels are 10:00-18:00/19:00 but the Grand-Place area stays open until approximately 20:00. Most shops are closed on Sundays, except for a handful of markets and those stores around Grand-Place. Souvenirs Souvenirs to look out for include chocolate (pralines and truffles are the most popular), biscuits, beer (look out for Leffe, Chimay, all brands of kriek, and Duvel), lacework and Tintin memorabilia.

• Tax information 

Sales tax in Brussels is 21% and can be refunded to non-EU citizens by any of the shops affiliated to Global Refund. Participating shops will issue a global refund cheque, which should be stamped at customs.

Restaurants in Brussels

Brussels’ international flavour means that it has a restaurant scene to suit every palette. Seafood is particularly dominant, as is the chance to indulge in some first rate African cooking, a consequence of Belgium’s colonial past. Of course, true French haute cuisine is easy to come by too. Just make sure you’ve got enough Euros in your back pocket once the bill arrives. The Brussels restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories: Expensive:  (over €80) Moderate:  (€30 to €80) Cheap:  (up to €30) These Brussels restaurant prices are for an average three-course meal for one with half a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent. In Belgium, prices quoted on restaurant menus include VAT and service. Nevertheless, diners may round up their bill to leave a few extra Euros if the service is very good. Some restaurants close for several weeks in August.

Expensive

• Comme Chez Soi

Cuisine: French The fame of this intimate little restaurant, decorated in Belle Epoque-style, extends worldwide. Chef Lionel Rigolet serves exceptional French cuisine that justifies its two Michelin stars. Specialities include fillets of sole with a mousseline of Riesling, or prawn and apricot soufflé with crunchy pistachios and red fruits. Advanced booking is strongly recommended. Address: Place Rouppe 23, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 512 2921 Website: www.commechezsoi.be

• La Truffe Noire

Cuisine: Italian Italian chef Luigi Ciciriello is passionate about his truffles, used in just about every dish at this Michelin-starred restaurant. Specialities include Carpaccio truffles with olive oil and Parmesan, lobster risotto with truffles, and (for dessert) black chocolate truffle with spun sugar and raspberry sauce. Those with a passion for truffles but with less time to linger should try the sister establishment, L’Atelier de la Truffe Noire, on Avenue Louise. Address: Boulevard de la Cambre 12, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 640 4422 Website: www.truffenoire.com

• La Villa Lorraine

Cuisine: French This smart restaurant, with impeccable white tablecloths, has large windows overlooking a lovely garden where you can dine alfresco in summer. The cuisine, created by chef Maxime Colin, is classical French and specialities include sole Lorraine, broccoli terrine with wild asparagus, or lobster with turmeric and coconut milk accompanied by an excellent wine selection. Address: Avenue du Vivier d’Oie 75, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 374 3163 Website: www.villalorraine.be

Moderate

• Aux Armes de Bruxelles

Cuisine: Belgian While many of the restaurants in the winding streets surrounding the Grand-Place are tourist traps, this place is always a safe bet for traditional Belgian cuisine such as waterzooi (fish or chicken in a creamy soup with vegetables), oysters or mussels with chips and mayonnaise. The surroundings are unfussy and the service is friendly. Address: Rue des Bouchers 13, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 511 5550 Website: www.auxarmesdebruxelles.be

• Bollyfood Stories

Cuisine: Modern Indian This restaurant has quickly garnered a reputation as one of the city’s best places to grab a bite. The emphasis is on shared plates, with unleavened bread to mop up delicious lentil dishes and saucy meat platters. There are heaps of veggie options too. Address: Rue Jacques Jordaens, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 644 3411 Website: www.bollyfoodstories.be

• La Quincaillerie 

Cuisine: Belgian La Quincaillerie, one of the many restaurants clustered around the place du Châtelain in Brussels’s Ixelles district, is always busy. Housed in a former ironmonger’s shop (hence the name, Hardware), the interior retains much of the original décor, including a wrought-iron staircase, designed by students of Victor Horta (Brussels’s renowned art nouveau architect) in 1903. Specialities include shellfish, oysters and lobsters. Address: Rue du Page 45, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 533 9833 Website: www.quincaillerie.be

Cheap

• Noordzee / Mer du Nord

Cuisine: Seafood Locals flock to this ‘seafood bar’ at lunchtime, which sells some of the best seafood snacks in the city. Try the fish soup, mussels, shrimps, calamari and oysters and wash it down with a chilled glass of white wine or champagne. The menu depends on the season and the catch of the day. A great little find. Address: Rue St Catherine 45, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 513 1192 Website: www.vishandelnoordzee.be

• Tonton Garby

Cuisine: Sandwiches A convenient and simple “bread and cheese shop”, the friendly owner will help you find whatever you’re craving on the menu if you’re indecisive. Named after the owner, customers are sure to feel right at home even if they are tourists. Address: Rue Duquesnoy 6, Brussels. Telephone: +32 484 29 02 16

Brussels Nightlife

Located at the heart of Europe, Brussels often has top artists and budding stars tour the city. Jazz has been strong here since the 1920s and its strains can be found all year round in a cluster of venues. The club scene in Brussels is relatively new, drawing crowds of locals, expats and tourists after much lingering in the city’s many bars and Irish pubs. The best nightspots are around Place de St-Géry, Manneken-Pis and in the Marolles district, while Matonge is the place to track down African hotspots.

Bars in Brussels

• A La Mort Subite

Belgium is justly famous for its superb selection of beers, not least those created by Trappist monks at various monasteries around the country. Brussels, furthermore, has its own idiosyncratic varieties, notably the spontaneously fermented Gueuze and the fruit flavoured Kriek varieties. Centrally located, A La Mort Subite is a beer haven. Address: Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères 7, Brussels,. Telephone: +32 2 513 1318 Website: www.alamortsubite.com

• Delirium Café

Delirium offers a selection of over 2,000 beers. That’s a world record, booze fans. There are ales from more than 60 countries, so if you tire of the strong Belgian stuff, you can always try something a little less likely to send you into a snooze. Address: Impasse de la Fidélité 4, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 514 44 34 Website: www.deliriumcafe.be

• Le Belgica

Brussels’ hottest gay nightspot is a great for those who love arty joints with a quirky and offbeat flavour. A hip crowd flocks here to start the weekend on Thursday night, with great tunes and an impressive selection of beers for those who don’t fancy something from the cocktail menu. Address: Kolenmarkt Marché, au Charbon,  Brussel. Website: www.lebelgica.be

Clubs in Brussels

• Bazaar

Bazaar is a large and popular restaurant/nightclub complex in Les Marolles. There are two huge rooms over two floors, hosting big name drum and bass, hip hop and grime DJs. Many come from London to play to adoring crowds, which makes it better than your average club night. Address: Rue des Capucins 63, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 511 2600 / +32 499 40 00 10 Website: www.bazaarbrussels.be

• Fuse

This one-time cinema is Brussels’ premier techno club. Opened in 1994, it has space for 1,200 sweaty clubbers, often hosting the best DJs from the local scene, not to mention many drafted in from Berlin, Paris and London. Belgium’s dance scene is legendary, so this a must for clubbing fans. Address: Rue Blaesstraat 208, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 511 9789 Website: www.fuse.be

• Le Wood

Once a restaurant, Le Wood is now an ultra hip electro bar and club set in stunning woodland that leads the way in Brussels’ emergence as Europe’s hottest clubbing city. The bar is well worth checking out too if you don’t fancy spending all night on your feet dancing. Address: Rue de la Croix de Fer 66,Brussels. Telephone: +32 46 514 8633

Live music in Brussels

• Ancienne Belgique

Billing itself as Belgium’s leading concert hall, Ancienne Belgique, is the place where cutting edge acts take the step up from the small stage. The likes of Sleaford Mods and Sufjan Stevens have graced this sharp venue, which will give you some idea of the hipster cache it’s built up over the years. Address: Boulevard Anspach 110, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 548 2484 Website: www.abconcerts.be

• Beursschouwburg

Beursschouwburg covers just about every musical genre going: from experimental acts to the very latest indie stars crossing swooping in from London and New York. That means you’ll get a chance to see some of the hippest bands around in an intimate setting that’s far less hectic than similar venues in those aforementioned cities. Address: Rue Auguste Orts 20-28, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 550 0350 Website: www.beursschouwburg.be

• L’Archiduc

L’Archiduc, with its natty booths and laidback atmosphere, has become one of the city’s best spots to hear all kinds of jazz, as well as an impressive selection of blues and roots music. It’s best on the weekends, but there are usually shows on throughout the week too. Address: Rue Antoine Dansaert 6, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 512 0652 Website: www.archiduc.net

Belgium Food and Drink

Often quoted as having the best cuisine in Europe, Belgium’s foodie specialities extend far beyond just waffles, beer and chocolate. For such a small country, it has rich local resources with fish and mussels being harvested from its North Sea coastline; pheasant, rabbit, and venison from the forested hills of the Ardennes; and first-class beef and lamb from the fertile Flemish polders. Butter, cream, beer and wine are used liberally and feature regularly in the cooking. Restaurants run the full gamut: from Michelin-starred to the humble fritkot (chip) stand. Gastronomes won’t be disappointed!

• Specialities 

1- Moules frites: mussels and chips/French fries. 2- Stoemp: mashed potato with leeks and carrots. 3- Witloof en oven: endives wrapped in ham and covered in cheese sauce. 4- Waterzooi: a fish/chicken and vegetable broth. 5- Paling in ‘t groen: young eel cooked in a sauce of spinach, thyme, tarragon, sorrel, mint and white wine. 6- Filet américain: raw mincemeat mixed with egg, onion and capers. 7- Lapin aux pruneaux: rabbit cooked with prunes and beer. 8- Faison à la brabançonne: pheasant cooked in butter with brussel sprouts and chicory. 9- Salade liégeoise: salad containing boiled potatoes, bacon bits and green beans.

• Things to know

Belgians love their meat and vegetarian options can be harder to find in smaller towns, so it’s advisable to stock up at the supermarket. Look out for restaurants offering a lunchtime special, known as dagschotel in Flanders and plat du jour in Wallonia, they offer great value for money.

• Tipping

A service charge of 10-15% is usually included in hotel or restaurant bills, although an additional tip may be left at the discretion of the individual. Cloakroom attendants and porters may expect a tip per item of luggage.

• Drinking age

16 for beer and wine, 18 for spirits.

• Regional drinks

Over 400 beers are brewed in Belgium. They range from the mass-produced lagers like Stella Artois through to boutique ales brewed by microbreweries. • Cantillon (microbrewed beer made in Brussels). • Trappist beers (monastery-brewed). • Hoegaarden (white beers). • Kriek (cherry flavoured beer). • Lambics and Gueuzes (oak-aged beers). • Chimay, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren, Orval and Achel (Trappist ales). • Jenever (a 20-40% spirit, similar to gin, unique to northern Belgium and Netherlands that was originally flavoured with juniper berries, but now appears in all manner of flavours such as chocolate, chilli and lemon).

Hotel in Brussels

Much more than a bureaucratic hub, Brussels is a hip, happening and historic city, perfect for a wonderful weekend away. There is a wide range of accommodation on offer, from simple B&Bs to luxurious townhouse hotels catering to a vast array of budgets. Whether you’re on the hunt for exposed brick walls and trendy bars, an elegantly restored Dominican Abbey or a skyscraper with panoramic city views, our pick of the best places to stay in Brussels has you covered. Brussels is an exciting, multicultural metropolis with plenty to keep travellers occupied from dawn til dusk. Wander from the centuries-old Grand Place past Flemish architecture, Art Nouveau buildings, intriguing galleries and museums, or hit the boutiques on exclusive Avenue Louise, a hugely popular shopping destination. Don’t miss the National Basilica or the René Magritte Museum, located in the famous painter’s home. The birthplace of some of the world’s best-known surrealist art, Brussels is home to street paintings aplenty, with several pieces for keen-eyed amblers to spot on buildings and metro stations. There’s an abundance of historic and art-focused walking tours, too, whether with a guide or following routes available to download for free online — highly recommended as a way to discover the city. With a cosy pub scene, lively cafe culture and no shortage of buzzing street-side bistros, Brussels is brimming with fun food and drinks spots to sample, including some very cool restaurants. The city’s African district, Matongé, is testament to its diverse identity, and a real hub of community and creativity, with a thriving cafe and bar vibe. Many of the best places to stay in Brussels are within walking distance of the old city centre, where there are a profusion of cultural and culinary delights to explore. With everything from slick, contemporary city hotels to romantic boutique townhouses, family-friendly retro stays and intimate B&Bs, Brussels is, unsurprisingly, a hugely popular destination — do book your stay well in advance to avoid missing out!