With its Art Nouveau architecture, tree-filled parks, cosy cafés and antique shops full of hidden gems, Brussels has made a name for itself as a charming cultural hotspot.
Discover the city and its heart-warming inhabitants.
Do so with this remarkable 12-hour guide!
Hotel Des Galeries
Wake up in one of the 23 rooms and suites that offer you a charming oasis of calm in the bustling heart of Brussels. Ideally located under the magnificent vaults and windows of the Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert.
Push open the door of this historic façade and let yourself be surprised by the soft and contemporary atmosphere that invites you to relax.
?Rue des Bouchers 38, 1000 Brussels
? https://www.hoteldesgaleries.be
Crème Brussels
The most extensive brunch menu is here at Crème Brussels!
Everything here is inspired by the Australian lifestyle. Pancakes and toasts are served every day.
Crème is located in the middle of Brussels in a small street.
?Rue de Rollebeek 30, 1000 Brussels
? https://cremebrussels.be
Peinture Fraîche
Peinture Fraîche is a unique bookshop, not like the others. They only sell art books.
In the Brussels shop, all art forms that have ever been translated, developed or discussed in book form find a home.
The collection comprises more than 14,000 titles on a wide range of subjects.
?Rue du Tabellion 10, 1050 Brussels
? https://peinture-fraiche.be
Belge une fois
This creative concept store offers textiles, postcards, decorations, accessories and much more that incorporate the “Belgitude” or “Belgianness”. All badges, magnets, mugs, textiles, etc. are printed directly in their workshop in their Brussels concept store. All illustrations of the brand Belge une fois are made directly.
?Rue haute 89, 1000 Brussels
? https://belgeunefois.com
Les Savons de Lyna
Les savons de Lyna specialises in soaps and other products such as cosmetics and cleaning products.
It is a very cosy family shop that is full of all kinds of products for every taste and use.
?Rue haute 136, 1000 Brussels
? https://lessavonsdelyna.com
Moirés
Selected gems can be found here!
All kinds of printed images such as silkscreen printing, engraving, inkjet, etc.
?Rue du Marché au Charbon 81, 1000 Brussels
? https://moires.be
Manneke
You can find everything here as the perfect souvenir:
beers from small brewers, recycled items, jewellery, T-shirts and even books about the quirky side of Brussels.
?Magdalenasteenweg 31, 1000 Brussels
? https://manneke.brussels/
La Fabbrica
“LA FABBRICA, ‘URBAN’ BRASSERIE IN THE MIDDLE OF TOUR & TAXIS”.
In the middle of the Royal Depot of Tour & Taxis, La Fabbrica welcomes you in a unique setting in the heart of Brussels.
The room lends itself perfectly to a cosy lunch, a prestigious table group or a buffet formula adapted to your wishes and budget.
In this exceptional historical setting, a team of professionals is at your service to meet all your expectations.
La Fabbrica has the atmosphere of an industrial loft and offers you, with its 400 m², several spaces that flow into each other, including an indoor terrace under the glass roof of the Royal Depot and a large outdoor terrace. To fulfil all your wishes!
?Havenlaan 86C, 1000 Brussels
? https://www.lafabbrica.be/
Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art
The contemporary art museum MIMA in the centre of Brussels opened in 2016 on the territory of Molenbeek.
The museum stands out for its exhibitions that draw attention to a young generation. They transcend artistic genres and attract a new audience to the museum.
This former brewery house along the canal houses various radical contemporary art and illustrations spread over three floors.
?Quai du Hainaut 39-41, 1080 Brussels
? http://www.mimamuseum.eu
MOK Specialty Coffee, Roastery & Bar
If you are a coffee addict, this place is for you!
MOK offers a wide range of vegan-inspired recipes prepared by Josefien Smets.
This coffee shop offers some of the best quality coffees in Brussels.
?Antoine Dansaertstraat 196, 1000 Brussels
? https://mokcoffee.be
The area around Parc du Cinquantenaire
Time for a leisurely stroll through the European district to the famous Parc du Cinquantenaire!
This park was created in 1880 created in 1880 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence and consists of a number of French-style gardens. But it is mainly a historical site with many monuments, sculptures and museums.
?Parc du Cinquantenaire, 1000 Brussels
The Royal Greenhouses in Laeken
A quick 20-minute underground ride that is very worthwhile takes you to the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, a former botanical garden with beautiful greenhouses.
The greenhouses have been transformed into a unique cultural and concert venue and the botanical garden has become a beautiful public park.
?Castle of Laeken, Avenue du Parc Royal, 1020 Brussels
MIM restaurant
On the sixth floor of the Musical Instrument Museum, you will find the perfect restaurant for your dinner in typical Art Nouveau style.
The fabulous architecture of Paul Saintenoy comes into its own. The large terrace also offers a breathtaking view of the entire city.
?Hofberg 2, 1000 Brussels
? https://www.mim.be/en/restaurant
The Poet
This restaurant is located in the heart of the European Quarter in the Renaissance Hotel. A standout spot for its exceptional decor, top-quality cocktails and, of course, tasty food.
The name comes from the name of the street Rue Parnasse and the history behind it.
The biggest eye catcher is the huge marble bar in the middle, which stands under a colourful ceiling with original lampshades. Poet is very quiet and spacious. In the evening, the whole atmosphere changes, as the DJ plays his music and the barman makes cocktails.
?Rue du Parnasse 19, 1050 Brussels
? https://www.thepoetbrussels.com
Alice Cocktail Bar
This place is often visited by various celebrities when they are in Brussels. They receive their guests on the first floor of the speakeasy, where you can find several private rooms decorated in a classy mansion style. The beautiful view over the chic Avenue Louise with live music, a cigar lounge and unrivalled mixologists.
?Louizalaan 190, 1050 Brussels
? http://alicerestaurant.be/alice
Odette en Ville
Odette en Ville is also the place to go for both a cocktail and a meal. Located between Avenue Louise and Châtelain, this is the place where all the beautiful people of the capital meet. The restaurant is largely inspired by the Costes Hotel in Paris and offers simple cuisine.
A must for cocktails is the Odette sur son 31, made with champagne, lychee, rose and raspberry. A refreshing, sparkling and fruity cocktail.
?Rue du Châtelain 25, 1050 Brussels
? https://www.odetteenville.be/en
Voisin
Voisin is the place to be for a night out with your girlfriends, fun and thoughtful cocktails are worth the effort here. But also high quality food sharing.
A perfectly oriented terrace offers the opportunity to watch a beautiful sunset. Voisin offers homemade cocktails, which already have a famous “Voisin” touch. The menu features drinks that are as beautiful as they are delicious, such as the Waterlooser, made with Panda Gin, Indian Tonix Premium and wild berries.
?Rue du Tabellion 31, 1050 Brussels
? https://www.voisin-bistrobar.be
Mirano Brussels
Do you want to experience an unforgettable evening in the most legendary club?
You can do it every Friday & Saturday at Mirano Brussels!
This cinema that transformed into a nightclub in 1981 plays music ranging from Electro House to Latino, RnB, Hip Hop and much more.
Famous stairs, stages and a dazzling dance floor due to the renovation done in 2019.
?Leuvensesteenweg, 1210 Sint-Joost-Ten-Node
? https://www.miranobrussels.com/
Fuse
Love a techno record? Then this techno temple is the place to be, where often big names come to play some DJ sets. People come from far and wide for this club! On Sundays there are gay nights which are very popular. The parking is also quite cheap and guarded.
Fun fact: The XRDS Festival, which you can find in the listicle ‘4 unmissable music festivals in Brussels’ that I wrote, is curated by Fuse.
?Blaesstraat 208, 1000 Brussels
? https://www.fuse.be
Bloody Louis
An unforgettable Belgian nightlife memory in a club that hosts some of the city’s biggest parties, because ” WE DON’T SLEEP WE DREAM “. Bloody Louis opened in 2013 and after 5 years they have had the opportunity to welcome some of the biggest names in the music industry.
?Avenue Louise 32, 1050 Brussels
? https://bloodylouis.be
- Rue Des Bouchers – Beenhouwersstraat
- Rue De Rollebeek – Rollebeekstraat
- Rue Du Tabellion – Notarisstraat
- Rue Haute – Hoogstraat
- Rue Du Marché Au Charbon – Kolenmarkt
- Rue De La Madeleine – Magdalenasteenweg
- Avenue Du Port – Havenlaan
- Quai Du Hainaut – Henegouwenkaai
- Rue Antoine Dansaert – Antoine Dansaertstraat
- Jubelpark / Parc du Cinquantenaire
- Avenue Du Parc Royal – Koninklijk Parklaan
- 1000
- Chaussée De Louvain – Leuvensesteenweg
- 1210
- Avenue Louise – Louizalaan
- Rue Blaes – Blaesstraat
- Rue Du Châtelain – Kasteleinsstraat
Above you will find all the addresses summarised on the map and below a song to get you in the mood for these wonderful 12 hours in this unique city of Brussels! 🙂
