BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Brussels is a small city that becomes easily familiar. The city is so compact and centralized, it's perfect to tour on-foot without elaborate plans. You barely need to follow a map, as you'll bump into sights and attractions along the way, and will almost always find your way around. There are many things to see in Brussels, but the good thing is that almost everything is centered around/near the Grand Place, and could probably be seen in 3 days. Make sure you plan your trip according to the weather, because it tends to be quite cold in the summer.
FOOD & DINING
LA VILLA IN THE SKY: Seasonal/Weekly Changing Set Menu
This restaurant is one of the most atmospherically rich places to ever dine in. La Villa is literally in the sky as it hangs off a balcony on the 25th floor of the uber-cool IT Tower, with a panoramic view of the rooftops of Brussels. Though the floor to ceiling windows give it a very open look, the restaurant itself is actually quite intimate with only 10-12 tables (reservations are a must). To add to this sense of intimacy, the entire place is served the same set menu, which changes seasonally depending on fresh produce and availability; the menu consists of several delicate and diverse courses that range from small bites and tapas, to risotto and carpaccio, fish, chicken, and meat, and a dessert to finish. There is also an option to have wine pairing by-the-dish. The food is great in terms of creativity and presentation, but I would say La Villa is more about having a unique dining experience than a satiating meal. The view is absolutely breathtaking, and even more so if you catch the sunset there. Number one on the check-list.
LA TRUFFE NOIR: Luigi’s Beef Carpaccio – Smoked Sea Bass – Lobster Tagliatelle – Filet of St Pierre – Black Chocolate Truffle
This restaurant is a truffle-lover's paradise. All recipes and dishes are created by Luigi Ciciriello to have the perfect inclusion of black/white truffle in some form or flavor; and the importance of this ingredient in every dish is what makes La Truffe Noir really stand out. Luigi’s special Beef Carpaccio (which he prepares himself in front of you) is a must-have starter; and the Sea Bass was like nothing I’ve had before – unbelievably light and tender, infused with so much flavor in olive oil and jus de truffe. For the main course, the Lobster Tagliatelle was delightfully filling – a perfect mix of lobster, chanterelle mushrooms, parmesan, and winter truffle shavings. The St Pierre filet stuffed with truffle is another recommended dish. Besides the excellent food, the staff is welcoming and polite. Luigi himself is a true gentleman, as he likes to step out and greet his guests, prepare the special dishes himself, and even advise each customer how to best enjoy the dish (so make sure you know what he looks like!). You’ll feel as though Luigi is hosting you in his very own home – a great experience.
SCHELTEMA: Foie Gras – Goat Cheese Toast – Baby Sole and Crayfish
A Belgian favorite among locals, Scheltema is a good restaurant to stop by for lunch if you’re walking around the Grand Place area; you’ll find it on one of the side streets that branch out from the square. It’s a cozy, pub-like restaurant with wooden furniture and green lamps; the waiters are friendly and hospitable. The food is also pretty good, with many fish dishes to choose from. The Baby Sole, served with crayfish and creamy mashed potato, was a good choice.
DE L’OGENBLIK: Mushroom Filet – Duck Leg
This is another good and casual lunch spot if you’re in the Grand Place and/or roaming through St. Hubert’s Gallery; it’s also right next door to Scheltema. It was almost fully packed during lunch hours, but you could score a table if you walk in earlier or later than most (the latest they serve lunch is 2-3 PM). The Mushroom Steak Filet and Duck Leg were both delicious. The steak was tender, served with flavorsome dressing; and the chopped mushrooms are so good they could be served alone. The Duck Leg is another good choice, served with some of the best potato gratin (especially when dipped in the mushroom sauce!). I also recommend ordering their side salad. Go early to try out more, or later for less crowds.
LA QUINCAILLERIE: Oysters – Shrimp Croquettes – Roasted Lobster – Trio de Mousse – Cheesecake
A small restaurant with iron staircases similar to those of a ship and a huge grandfather clock in the center, Quincaillerie was fully packed on a Monday night. Keep in mind the seating space is cramped and may feel like sharing tables with strangers; the service is can be very slow due to the crowd, so be patient. Almost an entire page of the menu is dedicated to oyster platters, which are religiously ordered to start; if you're not a huge fan, it's worth trying them here. The Shrimp Croquettes were delicious, with crispy breading and creamy paste filling. The Roasted Lobster was perfectly seasoned, served with veggie spaghetti and a side of mustard/mashed potato that made for an excellent dip. The desserts were sadly disappointing, but the food is overall decent. Great place if you're looking for a busy atmosphere mid-week.
MANHATTN’S BURGER: Casual Burgers
A delicious burger place if you’re on/near Louise Avenue. With soft brioche buns, crispy fries, and a yummy “secret sauce”, Manhattn’s will quickly satisfy your burger craving.
A quick and casual lunch spot if you’re shopping in the Louise Avenue area, but there are several branches of the place all over town. It’s usually very crowded at lunchtime and the hot kitchen closes at 3 PM, so make sure you go on time. The Caesar Salad is a satisfying portion; the Carpaccio was decent; and the Meatballs were excellent paired with fries; but avoid the Cannelloni. A good, casual rest-stop if you’re on the go.
PLACES TO VISIT & THINGS TO DO
GRAND PLACE: The biggest square in Brussels, Grand Place is practically the heart of the city, adorned with architectural beauty everywhere you turn. There are so many shops and cafés to keep you busy, as well as several attractions to see/visit (such as the beautiful Hotel de Ville). Grand Place is also an ideal starting point if you’d like to spend the day walking around from sight to sight; you’ll easily find your way around, and will probably discover new things as well. Just pick a side street or alley, start walking, and you’ll find one thing after the other.
ST HUBERT’S GALLERY: This is another very famous center-point in Brussels – a long shopping gallery lined with designer boutiques, small shops, and some of the best Belgian chocolatiers. You can take a walk through the gallery, go shopping, or relax in one of the cafés.
ST MICHAEL & GUDULA CATHEDRAL: Walking distance from the St Hubert’s Gallery, this Gothic cathedral is hauntingly beautiful inside out. It’s also one of Brussels biggest and most important cathedrals.
ROYAL QUARTER: This is another important area that is full of things to do and sights to visit. It’s also walking distance from Grand Place and St Hubert’s Gallery. You can capture the famous picture of the colorful garden from the steps above, overlooking the city. You can also walk to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, the Instruments Museum, the Magritte Gallery, and many more.
ROYAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS: If you’re in the Royal Quarter, walk forward to the biggest fine arts museum in Brussels. It’s divided into four different museums that all lead to one another. Start off with Magritte, followed by the Temporary Exhibitions, the Old Masters, and the Modern Gallery to finish. You can skip what ever does not interest you, but if you want to tour the whole thing then keep in mind it will take no less than 1-2 hours.
PALAIS ROYAL: Probably Brussels’ biggest and most well known architectural sight to visit (you’ll find it a street away from the Royal Museums). The architecture is beautiful, with a particularly big salon lined with dozens of gorgeous chandeliers at the end of the tour (similar to the Palace of Versailles). The palace shouldn’t take you long, after which you can walk through its huge gardens.
PLACE DE PETIT SABLON: The palace itself is nothing special, but there is a pretty garden to walk through or enjoy the weather on a sunny day. It’s also very close to Grand Place, so you’ll probably pass by it anyway.
NOTRE DAME DU SABLON: This is another gorgeous Gothic cathedral, just opposite Place de Petit Sablon, after which you can walk on forward to the Royal Quarter and/or Grand Place.
