Brussels is not very frequently found in travelers’ lists of destinations in Europe, a fact which we find to be undeserved. The city, usually remembered as home to the European Parliament and associated to bureaucracy, is in fact a lovely place and the ideal gateway for a weekend or an extension to your days in popular Paris or Amsterdam, both only one and a half… Read more »
Local: Brussels
Brussels might surprise you with the quality of its Fine Arts Museum, a large building composed of different museums. The highlights are the comprehensive collection of Flemish Art from the 15th to the 18th Centuries at the Oldmasters Museum and the Rubens Room, with many paintings by the renowned painter. Nearby, do not miss the small Magritte Museum, focused on the Belgian artist recognizable by… Read more »
We headed to the lovely neighborhood of Sablon at the suggestion of a friend who lives locally. Set on a hill, this charming area has indeed plenty to see and do. Our first visit was to the Petit Sablon square, an adorable small square with a beautiful fountain at its center and a wrought iron fence with small sculptures on its pillars, surrounded by statues… Read more »
This old fashioned restaurant is a classic in town and has been around for a while. The traditional décor has rich detailing on ceilings, wall paintings, crystal chandeliers and wooden benches with the names of prominent former clients inscribed. We were told more than once to try the food there, considered to be excellent and one of the reasons the restaurant has been around for… Read more »
You shall come across outlets serving the typical Belgium waffles in practically every corner of Brussels. We recommend you skip the touristic shops around Manneken Pis, however, and make it worth every calorie by having proper waffles, or gaufers as they are called in Belgium, at the Dandoy. There is more than one branch in town, we had ours at the elegant Galeries, amidst many… Read more »
After many days eating moules and fish “a la meunière” we were really craving some meat, so off we went to Vincent, the restaurant recommend for good meat. Surprisingly, it is conveniently located near the Grand Place. If possible ask for a table outside, but only if you do not mind facing the restaurant’s windows with cuts of fresh meat on display. The main room… Read more »
This restaurant has become an exception on our list of suggested eating venues: it is super touristic, but the food was very good, so we decided to include it. Located only three blocks away from the Grand Place, it is an option for a good lunch or dinner at reasonable prices. Chez Leon is very traditional, enormous and serves large amounts of people. If the… Read more »
What an impossible task to suggest one single chocolatier in a city that has dozens of shops serving the best chocolate in the world… How did we choose Chocolaterie Mary? Well, there we had some of the best chocolate we had in Brussels, the service was the most gentle and many of the other chocolateries have become quite international, with branches in other cities of… Read more »
What we liked the most about staying at the Pillows was that it was located in the charming and quiet Rouppe Square. This area is a good respite from the buzz of the city center around Grand Place, yet only a ten minute walk away from most of the city’s main attractions. The hotel is modern and very comfortable, with design touches and unique details… Read more »
This charming historic landmark, which was once a former ambassador’s home among other illustrious inhabitants, is just blocks away from the Grand Place and right by the imposing covered galleries of De la Reine and Saint Hubert. The small hotel has likeable common areas on ground floor, that somehow make you feel like you are in your own home’s living room. A tiny patio with… Read more »
This old style property could be a little more charming, but the location is excellent and the rates are one of the most favorable cost versus benefit choices in central Brussels. The Warwick has a traditional style with classic wooden furnishings, but recent renovations brought comforts to its facilities, like central air conditioning and more modern equipment and amenities, which the staff really emphasized to… Read more »
Located in the heart of the city, the Amigo is probably one of the best hotels in town, a stone’s throw from the Grand Place and from where you will be able to walk to most of the city’s main attractions and great restaurants, cafes and bars. Delightful Sablon district and its museums are just a fifteen minute walk away. This upscale hotel is very… Read more »
