Comments on: brussels design guide

By: Jazz Kilkullen

Jazz Kilkullen — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:46:19 +0000

I’m a fan of the “Lego” design that La Cambre Architecture school uses. Does anyone know of a way to get it on a t-shirt? Or, do they have a store than can be accessed online in English?

By: Devrim Bayar

Devrim Bayar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:37:16 +0000

The New & Major Contemporary Art Centre of Brussels: http://www.wiels.org
Located in an amazing industrial building from the 30’s, Wiels presents large scale exhibitions of contemporary art, kids workshops, residencies for artists… & an organic café. It’s a bit out of the city center, but easy to reach. Check it out!

By: Rina

Rina — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:38:04 +0000

I agree with the advice to avoid the restaurants in rue des bouchers (Aux armes.. being the exception).
I like the flee market in the Marolles on Sunday mornings where you can also have a nice brunch at http://www.hetwarmwater.be/. Tea and Eat in rue Stassart (off Place Stephanie) is another nice place for brunch. However, my favourite brunch spot is L’ORANGERIE DU PARC D’EGMONT.
- The quality of the service at “Le Pain Quotidien” varies, personally I find the nicest one being next to Avenue Lepoutre on 515 Chee de Waterloo.
- As for the chocolate – Wittamer, Marcolini and Mary (Mary is appointed by Belgian Royal Court so at least some locals do shop there ;) ) are definitely the best ones according to my taste.
- As for restaurants I would also recommend Soul (close to Sablon): http://www.soulresto.com/ – fresh, organic grown food.
- For reasonably priced good Belgian food this is a hidden gem, DEN TALURELEKKER http://www.resto.be/ware/details.jsp?businessid=2961 but beware it’s closed during weekeends.
- The new Magritte museum is really worth a visit.
Enjoy Brussels – but do bring an umbrella! :)

By: Eva

Eva — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:01:52 +0000

hey this is really great! I live in Rotterdam and Brussels is practically around the corner. Thanks for all the nice extra commentaries. Even more reasons to visit the place soon!

By: Caroline

Caroline — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:03:24 +0000

I spent a sabbatic year in Brussels. I miss it a lot! Nice guide. Je peux fermer les yeux, en écoutant Jacques Brel, et avec vos suggestions faire un tour dans ma tête à Bxls!

By: Randall

Randall — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:15:33 +0000

My wife and I are visiting family in Tours, France, but are making a special trip up to Brussels, Bruges, and Dinant. This is all happening in December so we are prepared for the cold. Thanks for the list, I hope it proves to work out as we are taking much of the advice it offers.

By: Sat

Sat — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:46:57 +0000

I’ve always lived in Brussels and I have to say it’s a great guide.

A few adds after reading the comments…

- Rue des Bouchers : this is a street with a lot of restaurants for tourists, I wouldn’t advise it. Quality of food is not that good. The only good restaurant there is called ‘Aux armes de Bruxelles’ (decor a bit old but very good food).
- Chocolate : you absolutely need to check the Sablon area for Wittamer and Marcolini. Don’t you dare going to Brussels and not going to Marcolini. If there’s one chocolate place, it’s this one.
- Ixelles shopping : check also ‘Les Anonymes’ for shoes (Chie Mihara, Camper, Vialis, etc.) and Degriff for sometimes great designer bargains.
- Beer : Moeder Lambic in Saint Gilles is also a great place, probably a bit more authentic than Mort Subite (less drunk teenagers :-D).
- The Magritte Museum is open now.
- Bikes : you can very easily rent bikes in a lot of spot of the city, it’s a system like in Paris (www.villo.be).
- Travelling : I would suggest travelling by train and leaving your car at home.
- Vintage or second hand shopping : vintage today in chaussée de Waterloo (from 50’s Chanel bag to the latest Prada or old granpa watches) and one very nice rue du page in Ixelles (latest collections, Chloé, Fendi or more alternative brands), I forgot the name.
- Hotels : depends what you’re looking for. Five stars like Conrad hotel or Metropole, in boutique five stars a very nice is Manos Ier (classic) or The Dominican (design). Be Manos is also great but in a bad neighbourhood. I work in a 4 stars in Louise neighborhood so if you need a room…

So much to say but here were my first thoughts… I hope you will enjoy Brussels if you are going there soon.