video Grand Place

On Place de Brouckère, visit the mythical Hotel Métropole; its decor may be familiar, as it has often been filmed and appears in many classics. The Italian baroque decor of its restaurant, the Alban Chambon, will make for a refined evening. In front of the hotel, the Brasserie Le Métropole is a favourite for its somptuous late XIXth century decor, as well as its large and sunny terrasse.

On place de la Monnaie, do not miss the creations of the Belgian artist Daniel Buren in the hall of the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie. Behind the opera, a former Dominican convent is now a luxurious design hotel: The Dominican. The volumes of this magnificent building, in which painter Jacques-Louis David lived his final years, are intact. The lounge bar is the perfect place for a nightcap among friends after an evening at the opera.

On Rue Fossé aux Loups, in a stunning late 19th century building, which used to be a bank, is the Belga Queen, a spectacular trendy restaurant created by Antoine Pinto. After your meal, you can have drinks and cigars at the Club, located in the former vault of the bank. Next door, The Samouraï, one of the first Japanese restaurants opened in Brussels, and still one of the best, is located in the nearby gallery. A few steps away, at number 20 Rue des Sables, visit the Belgian Comic Centre. Tintin, Snowy, Gaston, The Smurfs and the likes await you there.
On Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères, taste a La Mort Subite beer in one of the oldest and most authentic cafés in Brussels.

On Rue de l’Ecuyer, enter the Galeries Royales Saint Hubert sheltered from above by beautiful glass panels. This place is loved by the inhabitants of Brussels: you can shop, have a coffee and get a bite to eat there. In Galerie du Roi, opposite Théâtre des Galeries, is Cosmeticary, a new concept focused on well-being, which offers an exclusive selection of beauty products. Take a coffee break at Le Mokafé and its famous terrace, a traditional meeting place for locals. The open sea wind is blowing on Mer du Nord, where accessories and a perfume line are sailing together with the woman and junior lines. Opposite, treat yourself to gorgeous vintage jewellery at Ciel mes Bijoux. The designer Kaat Tilley presents her collections, which will transform you into a modern-day princess. Next door, a landmark : the Tropismes bookstore. It is actually made of two stores : a children bookstore, L'Appartement, from which you can walk into the main bookstore via a little inner garden leading to the galerie des Princes. The store offers a very large selection and the staff is truly knowledgeable.

At the corner of the Galeries des Princes and Rue des Dominicains, stop at L' Ogenblik for a hearty meal. The chef offers a creative menu of fine foods.
On Rue des Dominicains, the headquarters of Léon de Bruxelles made the Belgian dish of "mussels and fries" famous throughout the world. Opposite, on the corner of Rue des Bouchers, is another great Brussels classic: Aux Armes de Bruxelles, a famous fish restaurant set in an authentic 30’s decor. You are now in the heart of the Ilot Sacré, one of the oldest districts of Brussels. Discover the Théâtre Royal de Toone which carries on the Brussels folk tradition of puppet theatre. On the corner of Galerie de la Reine is Delvaux, a Belgian leather goods manufacturer and an institution in itself. Do not miss Neuhaus, a superb chocolate shop. Opposite is Rosy Rosa, a florist and concept boutique dedicated to roses only : fresh flowers from all over the world, as well as delicacies and decorative objects. A little further, La Taverne du Passage is a landmark, where you can have dinner before or after a show ; The Belgian specialties such as the "shrimp croquettes" are a must there. In need of a little relaxation? Pamper yourself with a massage or a beauty treatment at l' Institut de la Reine, which offers the exclusive line of Seaderm natural products. Visit the expo "Bruxelles en Scène" for an underground tour of Brussels. Next door, at Café du Vaudeville, stop for delicious Belgian food. Its adjacent Théâtre du Vaudeville is now dedicated to events such as weddings, seminars and cocktail parties. Opposite, the boutique Ligne offers a selection of furniture and contemporary design accessories, some created by Belgian designers such as Xavier Lust and Pol Quadens.

On the corner of Rue de la Colline, you will find beautiful gifts at Art & Sélection, which displays all the great crystal manufacturers. In the same street, discover a shop dedicated to Tintin, the world famous reporter created by the Belgian comic strip artist Hergé.

The Grand' Place of Brussels is magical and on certain days seemingly surreal. Take your time to discover its history and beauty. Stop at the terrasse of La Chaloupe d’Or or Au Roy d'Espagne, both cafes that ooze charm. La Maison du Cygne and its restaurant Ommegang offer an enchanting setting for a dinner. Real lace is a gift always appreciated. Treat yourself, or a loved one, to some genuine Brussels lace. The family lace makers Rubbrecht are one of the last to employ traditional methods. The BITC Office can inform you about Brussels during your stay. Visit La Maison du Roi and the Hôtel de Ville. Hotels in the heart of the city: Le Meridien Bruxelles is ideally located just in front of the Central Station, for a direct access to Zaventem airport, and has a delicious french gourmet restaurant L' Epicerie.

Rue de la Madeleine, Le Dix-Septième hotel is a oasis of peace and quiet in a magnificent townhouse. On Rue Duquesnoy, the Royal Windsor Hotel offers FashionRooms, designed by Belgian fashion designers such as JeanPaulKnott, Xavier Delcour, Christian Wijnants, Nicolas Woit and Romy Smits. Opposite, the new Grand Casino of Brussels will make some of you winners! One table that is always lucky : the La Madeleine restaurant, where the food is a winner.

Rue des Eperonniers, the art shop Plaizier is a heaven for postcards and posters fans. It specialises in design and limited editions of artists, including Ever Meulen and the photographer Marie-Françoise Plissart. Opposite, the Al Barmaki restaurant has been the Lebanese restaurant of choice for more than 30 years now. Its cosy and serene oriental settings, complete with an enchanting little fountain, make it a very welcoming place.

A few steps away, on the corner of the Rue de la Violette, Marianne Gray has set up the most Parisian hairdressing salon in Brussels. Enjoy the serene and warm atmosphere of its treatment rooms for hair care, skin care and massages. Rue Marché aux Fromages, the three levels of Balthazar have all it takes for the man of the XXIst cntury to be properly clad. It is the ideal place to find a gift for your loved one. From there, walk in the small streets of this old district and succumb to its charm.

The Hotel Amigo, on rue de l’Amigo is a five star hotel which has just been renovated. Try its delicious Italian cuisine in its Ristorante Bocconi. Opposite, the Dandoy tea room is often packed with customers, attracted from all over the word by the famous Belgian waffles. This neighbourhood is made of tiny little streets, and little shops, many of them lace shops. Pay a courtesy visit to the most famous boy (ketje) of Brussels, an emblematic figure of the capital : the Manneken Pis.

On Rue au Beurre, stop off at Dandoy, the most famous traditional biscuit maker which offers specialities such as the "Greek bread", a sweet treat. Or why not take a look in Galler Grand Place, known for its delicious chocolate and its "Langues de Chat" biscuits inspired by Philippe Geluck’s cartoon character. A few steps down, the jeweller De Greef offers an extensive selection of watches, but also unique pieces of jewellery designed by Arnaud Wittmann.
Back to the Bourse du Commerce. On Boulevard Anspach, at n° 73 is a landmark : Au Suisse. This unpretentious sandwich bar, which has been there since 1919, is very dear to the heart of numerous Brussels inhabitants ; try one of their sandwiches, and you will know why. To restore your energy, you have a large choice of delicious dishes at Kika. Just behind it, at 42 Rue de la Grande Ile, try the new YOMA restaurant, offering delicious Euro-Asian fusion dishes.

On Rue du Midi, discover the creative cuisine of the restaurant ReSource. On the Place Rouppe is nested one of the most famous Belgian restaurant: Comme Chez Soi. Created by Pierre Wynants, the proud owner of two Michelin stars, it is a true gourmet delight, set in a 1900 decor. A piece of advice: try to reserve a table in the kitchen.

On Rue des Grands Carmes, you will find Lady Paname, a sensuous boudoir devoted to erotic toys and luxury gifts. On Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés, the restaurant Jaloa is worth the detour. Stop for a tea break at the Palais des Thés, it’s impossible to not find your tea favourite tea there.