Shopping and Eating in Brussels, Belgium

Shopping and Eating in Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is one of the largest cities in the country of Belgium.

Shopping in Brussels

Brussels defined by AbbreviationFinder has always been known for its myriad shopping centers, but the largest are outside the city center. For a long weekend, it would make the most sense to concentrate on the three most important shopping areas in the city center. There are Place Stephanie and Avenue Louise, the area around the Grand Sablon and the streets of Boulevard Adolf Max and Rue Neuve.

Chocolate in Brussels

In Brussels, the capital of Belgium described on Countryaah, among other things, many things are concerned with food, drink and chocolate, and naturally you will find special stores for all this. The most famous brands of chocolates are Wittamer and Godiva. You will find small shops selling these brands scattered around the city.

When it comes to food, you should visit the De Boe store located at Rue de Flandre 36. Here you will find wine, coffee, gourmet snacks, spices, biscuits and many other special products. The store is not far from the city’s fish market.

Another good alternative is De Biertempel in Grasmarkt 56b, right on Grand Place.

Antiques and markets

Brussels has several great antique shops. We recommend the Sablon area for those looking for quality. However, if you are looking for nips and quirks, try getting up early and traveling to Place du Jeu de Balle. You can also try the shops in Rue Blaes and Rue Haute.

A general tip is to go to the church of Sablon, where there is a weekend market all year. This weekend market offers silverware, furniture and much more tempting.

Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

A special shopping experience is to visit the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, which was built as early as 1847. Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert was with Europe’s first shopping center. The address is Rue d’Arneberg.

Shopping malls in Brussels

For those who prefer large shopping centers, Brussels has a lot to offer. Some suggestions are:

Basilix Shopping Center
Usually the Basilix Shopping Center is open between 1000 and 1930 every day of the week, except Sundays where the center is closed. The address is Avenue Charles-Quint 420. Basilix Shopping Center can be found northwest of Brussels, at the Zavelen Park. The tour can be combined with a visit to the Sacre Cour Church.

Westland Shopping Center
Just south of the Basilix Shopping Center and just west of the center of Brussels you will find the famous Westland Shopping Center. The address is Boulevard Sylvain Dupuis 433. Open from 0800 to 1930 every day except Sundays.

Woluwe Shopping Center
Right at the park of the same name you will find the Woluwe shopping center. The address is Rue Saint-Lambert 200. It’s a little way east of the center of Brussels. Open from 1000 to 1900 every day except Sundays where it is closed and Fridays which open an extra hour until 2000.

City 2
The most downtown shopping center is called City 2. The address is Rue Neuve 123, ie 500 meters north of Grand Place. Open 1000 to 1900, but closed Sundays.

Eating in Brussels

Food in Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is being portrayed as a gourmet city by many tour operators. It is not without reason. Brussels does not stand behind Paris itself when it comes to restaurants.

Internationally, Brussels is considered a city with many very good restaurants, both when we consider quality and breadth. Even cheap restaurants and fast food chains are committed to providing the best quality possible.

There are several restaurants offering Belgian cuisine. The Belgian cuisine is known for its seafood, perhaps especially mussels and fish. Also, it is not at all uncommon to find restaurants that use beer as an ingredient in cooking. Did you know that beer, Brussels and Belgium really belong together?

In addition to restaurants serving local cuisine, you will find virtually all international cuisines in Brussels: Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, French, Japanese and Spanish restaurants.

The price level at the best restaurants is high, but in line with the quality. For cheaper food, try tapas restaurants or bistros that offer Italian or Vietnamese food, for example.

Rue des Bouchers near Grand Place is Brussels restaurant street. Here you will find more than a hundred restaurants gathered down the street. The street can be both charming and pleasant, while offering cozy evenings with good food. But it should not be hidden under a chair that the street is dangerously close to becoming a real tourist trap.

Notable restaurants in Brussels:

First and foremost, we recommend our travel article on food and beer in Brussels that addresses some of the most exciting and classic Brussels restaurants.

We also recommend:

Castello Banfi, which is an Italian restaurant. The address is Rue Bodenbroek 12. Here you will find a wide variety of Italian dishes. In addition, the restaurant has a large and good wine cellar.

La Roue d’Or is a restaurant that offers Belgian cuisine. The address is Rue des Chapeliers 26. Affordable and exciting food in a very special atmosphere.

La Porte des Indes is an Indian restaurant located on Avenue Louise 455. The lunch menu here offers value for money. They also have a good vegetarian menu.