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BRUSSELS TRAVEL GUIDE

Often eclipsed by heavyweight northern European capitals such as Paris and Amsterdam, Brussels (Bruxelles in French; Brussel in Dutch) remains a rewarding discovery rather than an obvious choice. Far more than a hub of politics and policy, it blends international flair with architectural elegance, distinctive character, rich gastronomy and a deep cultural scene. Like the Belgians themselves, the city is unassuming and quietly confident, yet it wins over anyone who explores it.

STAY

EAT

  • A Casa Mia (Italian)
  • Baan Chann (Thai)
  • BOZAR Restaurant (**Michelin)
  • Fin de Siecle (Belgian)
  • Humus x Hortense (*Michelen vegetarian)
  • Kamo (*Michelin Japanese)
  • La Bonne Chère (modern French)
  • La Buvette (French)
  • La Canne en Ville (gastronomic)
  • Le Chalet de la Foret (**Michelin)
  • Le Damemoiselle (Belgian)
  • Le Pigeon Noir (*Michelin, Belgian)
  • Le Wine Bar des  (French-Belgian)
  • Les Brigittines (Belgian)
  • Maison Vincent (Belgian)
  • Nenu (Vietnamese)
  • Taverne du Passage (Belgian)

DRINK

  • Arthur Orlans cocktail bar
  • Belga Queen bar
  • Brasserie Surrealiste
  • Chalet Robinson (island bar)
  • Delirium Village (Belgian beers)
  • Floyd's gastrobar
  • La Phamacie Anglaise
  • Le Cirio cafe
  • Life is Beautiful cocktail bar
  • Poechenellekelder (Belgian beers)
  • Rooftop 58 (Europe's largest)
  • Tish cafe
  • Under the Stairs cocktail bar
  • Vertigo cocktail bar
  • Winehouse Osteria wine bar

SHOP

  • Artisans Sans Carbone (sustainable artisan gifts)
  • Dotspot (funny gifts)
  • Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
  • Ganterie Italienne (leather gloves)
  • Genicot (rare books)
  • La Chapelière (handmade hats)
  • Manneke (souvenir crafts)
  • Natan (haute couture women)
  • Rue Antoine Dansaert
  • Taschen (artsy books)
  • The Tintin Shop (comic-related)
  • Urban Therapy (unique gifts)
  • VISITFlanders shop
  • VISITWallonia shop

EXPERIENCE

  • Belgian Beer Weekend, Sept
  • Bel’Oeuf giant chocolate eggs, April
  • BRAFA art fair, Jan/Feb
  • Bright Brussels, Feb
  • Cantillon brewery tour, daily except Wed
  • Crossbow guild, Tue afternoons
  • EAT Festival, Sept
  • EU Day, May
  • Meyboom, 9 Aug
  • Nuit Blanche, Oct
  • Ommegang, July
  • Plaisirs d’Hiver, Dec
  • Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, Apr-May
  • Tapis de Fleurs, Aug 2026 (biennial)
  • Tram Experience, daily except Mon

MUST-SEE

  • Cathédrale Saints-Michel-et-Gudule
  • Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
  • Grand Place
  • Hotel Solvay (Art Nouveau)
  • KANAL–Centre Pompidou (Nov 2026)
  • La Bourse/Belgian Beer World
  • Manneken Pis
  • Mont des Arts
  • Musée des Instruments de Musique
  • Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique
  • Palais Royal (inside 22 July-Aug)
  • Parc Cinquantenaire
  • Parcours BD
  • Parlamentarium
  • Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie
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