When I think of wandering the streets of Brussels, decorated with street art and adorned with such architecture, I think of food. And drink. I think of munching on waffles, sipping on unique beers, tucking into a bowl of mussels and fries and topping the day off with treats from a chocolatier.
While I've tried to include as many of the above into my ultimate day in the Belgian capital, it’s been hard. But here goes…
Photo courtesy of Eugene Phoen
Le Pain Quotidien is a chain of bakeries all over the world, but you wouldn't think it. They all possess a delightfully relaxed atmosphere, extremely fresh bread and large communal tables to plan the day ahead and maybe even chat to a local.
Photo courtesy of Andy Field
Tintin, The Smurfs and Asterisks, three of the world’s most famous cartoon characters, all have one thing in common – they were created in Belgium. This centre, which is essentially a museum, documents the history of the aforementioned animated stars and has a reading room if you want to relive your childhood for a short while.
Belgium’s national dish can be tried at various establishments around the capital, but my advice is to go to Chez Leon on rue des Bouchers. Opened in 1893, you can choose from a host of dishes, but mussels and fries are what you should be adding. The chips are tasty and crunchy while the soup the mussels are bathing in make for a tasty dish once you finished them all.
The city’s Grand Place is one of the world’s most stunning squares. Stand in the middle of it, and you’ll be surrounded by architecture from three different eras – Gothic, Baroque and Louis XIV. If you don’t mind paying for an overpriced coffee, take a seat in one of the cafés and enjoy an hour of admiring and people watching.
Photo credit: Eric Titcombe
Take the leisurely stroll through the streets from the Grand Place to Jardin du Mont des Arts en route to another of the city’s beautiful squares, Place Royale. Bordered by churches and museums, it’s another example of the city’s amazing buildings.
Photo courtesy of www.GlynLowe.com
Many streets of central Brussels’ walls are decorated with street art influenced by its comic heritage. To try something different, take the time out to locate these walls. Some of the best known include the two men walking arm in arm and the well-to-do couple. They are both at different parts of Rue du Marché au Carbon: the piece of Tintin on Rue de l’Etuve (which is beside the famous Mannekin Pis statue) and ‘Ric Hochet’ getting into the window of his mistress around Rue de Bon Secours.
This bar just minutes from the Grand Place on Impasse de la Fidélité has no less than 3,000 beers on offer. These range from your average pilsner to more adventurous flavoured brews such as banana, strawberry, chilli, gingerbread and more.
One of my favourite things to do when I’m in Brussels is to go for a ‘half and half’ in an extremely decadent grand café called Le Cirio on Rue de la Bourse. The half and half is made up of half champagne, half white wine and is served by the smartest of waiters. Try to get a seat close to the window as the people watching here is as good as the Grand Place.
Photo courtesy of Bahi
All around Place St Saint-Gèry are bars and restaurants, making it the best place to spend an evening in Brussels. Around here on Rue Jules Van Praet you will find Fanny Thai, an extremely popular eatery specialising in food from the south-east Asian country.
Located just across the road from Fanny Thai is one of the city’s coolest bars. Sit upstairs or downstairs while listening to the chill out tunes of the DJ.
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