Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

24 hours in Brussels

Your essential guide to what to do, see, eat and where to sleep in the Belgian capital during December

09:00 The Grand’Place, the magnificent central square, is at its most serene in the morning hours. Grab a croissant and a coffee at one of the cafés, and then check out the outdoor flower market. It’s easy to spend several hours at the Museum of Ancient Art (3 rue de la Régence; tel. 02 508 3211) and the adjacent Museum of Modern Art (1-2 place Royale; same number), part of the Royal Museums of Fine Art. The former covers the 15th century to the 17th century, and is a must-see for devotees of Flemish primitives such as Rogier van der Weyden. The latter covers the 18th century to the 20th century and includes works by Belgian surrealist René Magritte. There’s also a pleasant restaurant for lunch.

12:00 Is it a bookstore or a restaurant? Cook & Book (1 place du Temps-Libre; tel. 02 761 2600) is both. Conveniently located across from the Woluwe Shopping Center (which houses Roodebeek Station) and adjacent to the new Wolubilis performing arts complex, this cluster of bookstores/ eateries offers a completely different dining experience. At the art store on the corner you can enjoy a moderately priced breakfast or lunch surrounded by comic books, sitting inside a covered wagon among travel tomes or under funky glass-bottle light fixtures in the design section. Alternatively sample Brussels’ most famous frites, served in three sizes and with your choice of sauce, at budget prices at Maison Antoine (1 place Jourdan) in the EU district. It’s a family-run joint that’s been here since 1949. Seafood fans with a bit more money to spend will be in heaven at L’Ecailler du Palais Royal (18 rue Bodenbroek; tel. 02 512 8751); Richard Hahn’s elegant restaurant also has an impressive wine list.

14:00 There’s nothing like spending an afternoon indulging in a spot of retail therapy. Brussels’ main pedestrian shopping street is the rue Neuve, which is home to several international chains including H&M, Zara and Belgium’s Inno department store. Escape the madding crowds on the rue Antoine Dansaert, a mecca for Belgian designers, while posh shops are the name of the game on avenue Louise, where you’ll find Cartier, Longchamps, Max Mara and Natan, to name a few. Do your holiday shopping for the little ones at Serneels (69 avenue Louise), a delightful family-owned shop selling good-quality, old-fashioned toys. It’s the season to buy chocolate, and there’s no shortage of places to satisfy your sweet tooth. Neuhaus, the company that gave the world the praline, has stores throughout Brussels (including 25-27 Galerie de la Reine), and many street-side Leonidas outlets are open Sundays (including 45 boulevard Anspach and 49-51 boulevard Adolphe Max).

18:00 The spiffy Spuds cocktail bar inside the new Sofitel Brussels Europe (1 place Jourdan; tel. 02 235 5100) is the place in town to head to for a real cosmopolitan, the vodka, cointreau and cranberry juice blend popularised by the American TV show Sex and the City. With several kinds of champagne, apple martinis and a large choice of non-alcoholic cocktails there’s something for everyone, plus a fine selection of tapas, sushi and other munchies.

20:00 Le Stelle (53 avenue Louis-Bertrand; tel. 02 245 0359), situated in a beautiful art-nouveau building near the Parc Josaphat, is a gourmet Italian restaurant that’s always booked, and for good reason – try the black-truffle pesto (€80 for two, including house wine). In the centre of town, wine bar Jaloa (31 place de Veille Halle aux Blés; tel. 02 512 1831) offers a small but intriguing menu, with lots of wines available by the glass, and there’s often live music on Saturday nights (€33 for a three-course menu; €40 with cheese; €85 for a five-course meal including wine).

22:00 Party till the early hours at The Fuse (208 rue Blaes; tel. 02 511 9789), a techno temple that attracts DJs from around the world. And if you’re visiting the Belgian capital over New Year’s Eve, welcome it in alongside fellow revellers at a musical fireworks show on the Mont des Arts.

Or take it easy and bed down at the Novotel Brussels Off Grand’Place (120 rue du Marché auz Herbes; tel. 02 514 3333), which is just a few steps away from the main square. Following a major makeover it’s swankier and comfier than ever, yet still affordable (doubles cost around €120 on weekends and €145-180 during the week). All the double rooms are equipped with a pull-out sofa, and children under 12 years old can stay for free. In the nearby St Catherine district, the 236-room Ibis Hotel (2 rue Joseph Plateau; tel 02 513 7620 is a bit more basic and cheaper (doubles cost around €69 on weekends and €95 during the week before mid-December; after 15 December doubles cost around €69 on weekends and the same during the week). For luxurious surroundings try the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel (47 rue du Fosse aux Loups; tel. 02 219 2828) with it’s impressive art-deco façade designed by Belgian designer Michel Jaspers. Situated a three-minute walk from the Grand’Place it has it’s own fitness centre and restaurant serving sublime seafood, (doubles cost around €115 on weekends and €215 on weekdays).

 

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