Can you believe it? It’s been almost 8 months since I touched down in Brussels, and time here seems to have its own agenda! I feel I can adequately provide recommendations for what this unique city has to offer.

If you’ve never been or don’t know much about it, Brussels is like that place you’d land in blindfolded, and you’d swear you’ve been transported to another dimension. With a population of around 1.2 million, representing 180 nationalities, and conversations happening in 108 different languages, this city is a true melting pot. This diversity is what makes Brussels’ food and culture scene so amazing.

Most of my recommendations have revolved around the city center, where I call home. But don’t let that stop you from venturing into other eclectic neighborhoods like Ixelles.

Here’s my list of cool things to do, places to check out, and delicious restaurants to hit up in Brussels!

Things to do & Places to see

• Grand Place is a 14th century city square completely encircled by historic buildings and is the most magical place in Brussels in my opinion. This is a must see at night when the lights are on and the gold sparkles off the buildings. You can find City Hall here, too!

• Mont de Arts is a historic site in the center of the city. Featured on nearly every post card from Brussels, it is an extension of the King’s Square and connects the upper and lower city. There’s a terrace there where you can grab a coffee or cocktail and look at the view.
• Parc du Cinquantenaire is a 19th-century city park with floral gardens & fountains and features art, auto & military museums. This expansive park is the largest in Brussels and holds a special place in my heart because we lived a stone’s throw away for the first month before we found a long-term apartment.

• St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral is Belgium’s cherished national church, standing tall in the magnificent Brabant Gothic style. The best part? You can step inside for free and witness the historic setting where Belgian royal weddings and funerals have unfolded over the years.
• Royal Palace of Brussels/Royal Parc – The Royal Palace was once the official palace of the King and Queen of Belgium. It is not used as a royal residence, as the king and his family live in the Royal Palace of Laeken in northern Brussels. Although it is currently closed due to renovations, it is still worth it to walk by and take a stroll through the Royal Parc. There is a chill place to grab a drink or a snack in the Parc called Radio Kiosk.

• Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert is an elegant shopping center that is surrounded by places to dine and drink

Others may say to visit the Atomium or go see Manneken Pis. In my opinion, these aren’t things I would go out of my way to see.

Food & Drink

For me, good food plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall experience of visiting a new city. If you’re ever in Brussels, expect to not eat healthy…we have way too many carbs and sweets. During most week nights we eat at home, but here are my fav places:

Typical Belgian

• Nüetnigenough is located in the city centre. They have less than 10 tables and there is often a wait, but the food is absolutely delicious. Belgium is known for their beef stew and this place has the best one (and we’ve tried a lot!)
• 2nd place is Aux Armes de Bruxelles which is a little more upscale and has an extensive menu. Warning: this place gets HOT so if there’s not a table outside in the summer, skip it!

• Friture (fry) and waffle stands will be all throughout the city! The friture stands typically have over 30 sauces you can choose from- my personal favorite is andalouse. My go-to waffle toppings are Nutella, whipped cream, and strawberries. (I seriously walk by these places on a daily basis and have to resist the temptation…). The best tip I have is go to a busy waffle place! That means you’re almost guaranteed a hot, fresh waffle.

Italian

• Pasta Divina is just a few steps from the Grand Place. The owners are an adorable older couple from Italy. The wife is in the kitchen while the husband walks around to each table to share the history of the restaurant and make his recommendations. Expect to wait a little bit but usually there is live music in this area!

• La Piola has been voted one of the best pizzerias in Europe several times. It is Neapolitan style, so each person typically orders their own and it is delicious. It is located inside of the Wolf Market which offers 17 different restaurant choices and local beers. It is a fun place to meet with a group even though it can get very crowded.

Asian

• Au Bon Bol is my favorite Chinese/ramen restaurant where you see the staff literally making the homemade noodles right before your eyes. My go-to is fried noodles with beef. Just walk right in and seat yourself, but the upstairs can get super warm.

Fast food/late night food

• 1st place is in the city center, a Turkish place named Capadocia. The feta kofte wrap hits the spot every time and they are open all night long.

• 2nd place would go to Plaka which is a fast food Greek restaurant right near Grand Place and their kebabs/pitas/plates are super delicious. You can’t beat their prices & they’re open super late too!

Hidden Gems

• Tonton Garby started off as a cheese shop 20+ years ago and has involved into a tucked away sandwich shop that has over 2,000 Google reviews. There’s guaranteed to be a line out the door, but the owner makes sandwiches until he runs out of fresh bread each day. Each guests is made a personalized sandwich from the choice of bread to every last topping. His sandwiches are delicious, affordable, and memorable. I took my mom here when she visited and the owner made it such a special experience for us!

Bars

• Delirium Cafe holds the Guinness World Record for the most beers offered with 2004 choices. They obtained the record in 2004 and don’t plan on losing it anytime soon. Delirium is an entire street filled with different types of bars – shot bars, tequila bars, beer halls where you can even get a meter of beers to sample. This place is super fun to show all of our guests.

• Place Jourdan is an entire street filled with places to get drinks, dine, or grab fries from the famous Maison Antoine.
• Place du Luxembourg (aka “Plux”) is where to go on Thursday nights! It is a square in the European Quarter of Brussels where people head straight from work and stay all night. People grab a blanket and a bottle of wine and in the evening it is a great bar scene and has places to dance.
• La Luck is a game bar with Canadian cuisine. The entire upstairs is dedicated to reserved tables for game-lovers of all kinds. You tell the staff what kind of games you are interested in (how many players, collaborative, strategic, board game, dice, etc.) and they tailor select a game based on your interests. They explain the game while you sip on your coffee or cocktails, it is super fun!

More time in Belgium?

• Bruges is an hour train ride from Brussels and is an absolute must. If you haven’t been to Europe, this town is essentially everything you would picture Europe to be…it honestly feels like stepping back in to time. It’s a small medieval town, filled with picturesque canals, 13th & 14th century architecture, and cobblestone streets. I had the best Belgian waffle there and took a dreamy canal ride.

Before you go…

• Chocolate shop and bring back chocolate for your family, friends, coworkers, everyone. Known as the Chocolate Capital of the World, the chocolate here is indescribable. My favorite chocolate shop are Leonidas and La Belgique Gourmande. Leonidas is great for gift giving and La Belgique Gourmande is great for grabbing a bag/box and filling it up self-serve. You can also make your own personalized chocolate bar! Fun fact: There’s 320+ chocolate shops throughout Belgium LOL
• Did you see the Grand Place at night? Non-negotiable.
• Did you have a Belgian waffle? You really can’t come to Belgium and not have one…

I am probably forgetting some things and I am sure I will discover more along the way, but please reach out if you are planning a trip. I love getting to share this special place with my friends and family!