Two nights in Brussels
Where to wander, eat, drink, and chill like a local.
Europeans seem to have perfected the art of people-watching, mainly from cozy café terraces packed with round tables and chairs facing the street. You’re either observing passersby while sipping something nice, or secretly wondering how many people are watching you as you cross (or is it just me?).
I got curious and learned that this tradition started in 17th-century Parisian coffeehouses, but nowadays, you can find it everywhere in Europe.
When the sun shines in Amsterdam (where I live), people spill out of the canal-side cafés, sipping cold beer and enjoying life (my go-to people-watching spot here is Kikkie van de Prinsensluis). Amsterdam’s café culture is one of my favorite things about living here, and Brussels—where my boyfriend surprised me with a weekend getaway for my 40th—is no different.
We usually prefer to stay in Airbnb apartments when we travel, but Cardo Hotel may have me considering more hotel stays. I loved the modern artsy vibe, and taking a relaxing dip in the warm rooftop pool before roaming around town wasn’t too shabby either.
My favorite finds from two nights in Brussels
Where to wander
Marolles and Sablon (aka Zavel) are the neighborhoods to see and be seen. I loved strolling along Rue Haute and Rue des Renards in Marolles, which, according to a local I asked, is Brussels’ oldest historical neighborhood. The streets are lined with cafés, art galleries, and first- and secondhand shops, and at the bottom of Rue des Renards, you’ll find a weekend street market. I’m a sucker for handmade jewelry and bead shops, so if you’re into that kinda thing too, pop into Atchoum at Rue des Renards 20.
We hit up a few tourist spots, of course. Grand Place (beautiful!), Manneken Pis, the Royal Palace of Brussels, and St. Michael & St. Gudula Cathedral, but I prefer to get a feel for what it’s like to live somewhere, rather than rushing through attractions and nearly losing it every time someone bumps into me.
Where to eat
Gaston Sablon is a must for Belgian waffles cooked to perfection—a crisp bite with a gooey center that leaves you wanting more. You might even skip the chocolate sauce and fruit and go au naturel, like I did. I’m regretting now that I didn’t go for seconds.
Enjoy a proper Belgian meal without the plastic menus and tourist crowds at Au Stekerlapatte. Pro tip: book ahead. We were turned away for dinner on Saturday night without a reservation, but made up for it at Sunday brunch. The pork ribs arrived perfectly crisp, coated in mustard seeds, and fell off the bone at the first bite.
Where to drink (Belgian beer, of course)
Mazette Brewpub offers 10–15 refreshing beers on tap. From hazy white (wheat) to hoppy IPA to darker brews, you can sample before you commit and soak in the local vibes while you sip on a few beers at this neighborhood hangout.
Where to chill
Chill like a local at Kiosk Radio—an outdoor café nestled under the trees in Parc de Bruxelles that serves beer, wine, coffee, and more. You can sip your beverage of choice while you sit on tree trunks repurposed as stools at this dreamy, low-key spot. It’s particularly charming in the fall when the yellow leaves sprinkle down from the trees with every light breeze.
Pick up some Belgian chocolates for the road
If you don’t leave Brussels without at least three chocolate bars, you haven’t done it right. Passion Chocolat in Sablon/Zavel is a small, but fully stocked chocolate shop selling a variety of individual chocolates that you can mix and match as a gift or to treat yourself. It also has an entire wall filled with chocolate bars ranging from milk to 99% cacao. My post-dinner dark chocolate addiction has reached new heights (and I’m not complaining).
See you soon,
Alexis
P.S. If you enjoyed this post, feel free to like, comment, and/or share it to help more readers find it, and so I know what’s resonating. ♡
thank you! I'll be in working in Brussels four weeks in Jan and these are excellent pointers.
I am one of many who were drawn to you (your work) out of sheer admiration for your unmarriage account. Further words escape me - or would bore you and your readers - in framing that admiration.
It remains.
As that was the first step along the Mera Path for me, I don't have a fair compass of where it may lead. The travel insight(s) are a nice departure from the unmarriage. At first glance I would have sworn that was the gate outside the Palace in Madrid.