On my most recent two-week odyssey of beer, food, and wine exploration in Europe, I used Brussels as my departure point. I planned to arrive into the city late in the afternoon, eat dinner, and catch some Zs before an early flight back to the United States the next morning. A friend cautioned my abrupt visit.
From charming architecture to amazing food and beer, I’m glad I heeded his advice. There’s more to the United Nations capital than just business suits and diplomats. Below are my top five picks for Brussels. The best part is that all can be reached via bike – the preferred method of transportation by residents of Brussels. I recommend renting one to see Brussels from the perspective of a local.
1. Tour Grand Place Square
Start your day in the old part of town at the Grand Place Square. It’s best to arrive early to beat the crowds as the square is one of Brussels’ most popular tourist attractions. Grab a cup of coffee, or a breakfast to go, and meander around the square, taking in the various contrasts of architecture from the 15th-century city hall to the Grand Place itself, which is labeled as one of the most magnificent concert halls in the world. Before departing, stop at Galler Chocolatier for a snack. All the biking ahead will work up an appetite.
2. Relax at Parc du Cinquantenaire
The ride to Parc du Cinquantenaire is quite the uphill jaunt, so get it out of the way early. Within the park itself are plenty of attractions like the Museum of Art and History, Museum of Armed Forces and Military History, and the Autoworld Museum. Or, take a cue from the locals and relax under a shade tree and snack on that much earned chocolate.
3. Eat frites at Maison Antoine
Don’t linger too long in the park (or eat too much chocolate) since the next stop is Maison Antoine for some of the best frites of your life (I kid you not). The frites are cooked in beef fat for extra flavor and crispness. The food stand gets mad crazy though as they have the best frites in the city. Get there before they open at 11.30am and stand in line. A single order costs 3 EUR (3.34 USD). I recommend adding a side of Andalouse sauce for a spicy, creamy kick. Once you have your fries, nearby cafes allow you to bring them in if you purchase drinks. Nothing goes better with fries than a cold beer. I suggest a Kwak.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Tour and sip at Cantillon Brewery and Beer Museum
Speaking of beer, your next stop is the Cantillon Brewery and Beer Museum. Cantillon is both a working brewery and a museum to the unique Belgian brewing process. Cantillon specializes in Kriek, Gueuze, and Lambic sour ales. If you time it right, you might see their open fermentation process in action. If not, it’s still worth the visit. The self-paced tour of the museum takes about an hour and costs 7 EUR (7.80 USD). A sample is included at the end of the tour.
5. Finish the day with mussels and frites at Chez Leon
All that biking and beer drinking is bound to work up an appetite. Drop off your bike and head back into the old town for one of Brussels’ most famous dishes – mussels and frites. The best time of the year to eat mussels is from September to February during their peak season. However, I stumbled into Chez Leon in May and still ate plump and fresh mussels. Go on Sunday night when all-you-can-eat mussels and frites costs only 20 EUR (22.28 USD).
Discover new things along the way
Of course, the fun of travel is to see what you can find along the way. Thus, I kept this list rather simple, leaving plenty of opportunity for exploration in this hot spot for food, drink, and history. Keep your eyes open and see what else interests you as you bike through the streets of Belgium.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to